Amelia's Thoughts

Phoenix police are investigating the death of 45-year-old Carol Ann Gotbaum. Gotbaum had been arrested for disorderly conduct and was in handcuffs in Phoenix's Sky Harbor International Airport when she was found dead this weekend.

Apparently after Gotbaum was handcuffed she became "disruptive" and was taken into a holding room where she was then left alone.

"According to investigators, it appeared as though Ms. Gotbaum had possibly tried to manipulate the handcuffs from behind her to the front, got tangled up in the process, and they ended up around her neck area," Phoenix Police Department spokesman Sgt. Andy Hill said Saturday.

Her death is being viewed as an unfortunate accident.

Gotbaum was a mother, and is being remembered lovingly by family and friends.

Posted by Amelia Cerling at 11:45 PM | Permalink

Two juveniles, Semaj Magee, 16, and Tywin Marcell Bender, 17 are being charged with attempted murder, assault, and other crimes in connection with Hall's shooting last Saturday.

Apparently the shooting last Saturday erupted after there was disagreements about how much respect should be afforded the gang that goes by the name "Stick Up Boys."

Witnesses seem to be helpful in the investigation of this shooting. Witnesses told police that they saw Magee climbing out of the car with a shotgun while Bender had a handgun, according to witnesses.

A certain "Witness B" also claims to have overheard some young men talking and bragging about the shooting on a city bus, he later contacted police.

Vernice Hall remains in critical condition at Hennepoin County Medical Center.

Posted by Amelia Cerling at 8:51 PM | Permalink

An employee of Dunbar-the "Most Trusted Name in Security" was caught stealing several thousands of dollars from the company between May and September of this year.

Upon review of video survielance the company discovered that Cindy Vang, of Saint Paul, had stolen $7,940 since July of 2007. Apparently Vang had been covering up something with a towel and then sneaking it into a bathroom in order to steal the money.

Once confronted by the company's Vice President, Thomas Fischer, Vang agreed to sign a written statement admitting to the theft. An additional $3,460 in twenty dollar bills was found inside Vang's car.

Vang is being charged with a felony for theft over $5,000. She is currently in custody.

This story appeared in the Star Tribune on September 19th, 2007

Analysis: Cops

This story was first posted on September 19th at 2:20 pm, followed shortly by an updated version at 3:01 pm of the same day.

The story was based on public documents and an Interview of Sgt. Tammy Dietrich. However no where on the criminal complaint is her name used.

The first story was pretty basic with not very many details. It also only included one monetary figure-the amount found in her car-which is a rounded up version of the amount listed on the criminal complaint. No where in the first article does it mention the grand total of $7,940 stolen. The second updated article does include the total amount stolen-but again the number is rounded to $7,900. I'm not sure if this is a mistake or if they just wanted easier numbers. Is this practice normal is journalism? Is the exact cash amount important? I suppose its not entirely important, but it doesn't seem like good journalism to just round up or down so that its "easier."

Both the first and updated stories were very brief with little description. The criminal complaint included a little more detail than either of the stories. Both stories included one source-the Sgt. Tammy Diedrich and the court complaint. Neither story included comments from the District Attorney.

Posted by Amelia Cerling at 6:32 PM | Permalink

A pit bull was shot and killed today after biting the leg of a Hennepin County sherrif's deputy who was trying to serve a warrant. The deputy was part of a two person team serving warrants in northeast Minneapolis.

The Hennepin county department said the attack occured after the deputy entered the residence, where the dog then lunged at him. The deputy shot the dog after it grabbed a hold of the fabric of the pants leg at the upper thigh. The dog's teeth did not break any skin.

This pit bull attack is the the third in the area in just over a month. The past two incidents both involved young children, a four-year-old and a seven-year-old who was killed.

Posted by Amelia Cerling at 8:58 PM | Permalink

Eugene Fort, convicted in May of killing 11-year-old Marcus Potts in 1990, may get a second chance at life outside of prison.

Prison inmate Henry Newsom testified that another man told him multiple times that he was the killer. Newsom met Fort's cousin, Paul Rice, while he was serving a sentence in the Lino Lakes Correctional Facility for felony driving while intoxicated.

According to Newsom's testimony, Rice approached him on the day Fort was convicted of Potts murder. In addition to this several inmates have given sworn statements to Defense lawyer Michael Colich's investigator last summer indicating that Rice committed the crime.

Colich has petitioned the court for a new trial for Fort on the ground that several prison and jail inmates say Rice confessed to the crime. Colich also told reporters that Rice "unequivocally" admitted to committing the crime and that Fort deserves a new trial.

The prosecution seems to be in doubt over Newsom's motives for "being a snitch."

Colich however is, "deeply concerned" about the prosecution's threat of perjury charges having a "chilling effect" on Fort's right to a hearing on a new trial.

The hearing is taking place before District Court Judge Jay Quam, who will ultimately rule on the matter.

Posted by Amelia Cerling at 7:25 PM | Permalink

A young black woman has been rescued from several days of violent and sexually abusive torture. Eating rat droppings and drinking from a toilet were just a few of the torturous events endured by Megan Williams, 20. Williams' captors choked her with a cable cord, poured hot water over her and stabbed her in the leg while calling her a racial slur, according to criminal complaints.

The motive for such brutality is still unclear, however authorities are investigating the case as a possible hate crime. The FBI is also looking into possible civil rights violations, agency spokesman Bill Crowley said.

Six white men and woman all from Bear Creek, West Virgina and surrounding areas are being held in custody. All of the captors have prior arrest records, according to records from Logan County Magistrate Court. All six captors have bail set at $100,000 and all have requested court appointed attorneys.

Williams' arm is in a cast, but she may be able to leave the hospital within a few days, her mother Carmen Williams said.

Posted by Amelia Cerling at 4:56 AM | Permalink