Juan Manuel Alvarez, man who caused yesterday's multiple train derailment, is a U.S. citizen

Inland Valley Daily Bulletin ^ | 1/27/05 | Troy Anderson, Staff Writer

[Wolfstar]

Alvarez's estranged wife said he threatened her and her family and threatened to abduct their 3-year-old son, although he never physically assaulted her, according to a request for a temporary restraining order that was granted Dec. 14, The Associated Press reported.

"He threatened to take our kid away and to hurt my family members," Carmelita Alvarez said. "He is planning on selling his vehicle to buy a gun and threatened to use it. He is using drugs and has been in and out of rehab twice."

[SNIP]

Alvarez, a U.S. citizen, watched as the train barreled into his SUV shortly after 6 a.m.

"He was found right at the scene," [Glendale Police Chief Randy] Adams said. "The suspect has admitted placing his vehicle on the tracks."

[SNIP]

U.S. Attorney's Office spokesman Thom Mrozek said there is potential federal jurisdiction with a possible death penalty in the case.

[CaptainK]

LOL, a little OZ humor. I wonder how the real perp will fare in the clinker?

[Chemist_Geek]

Not a chance.

[Willie Green]

He is using drugs and has been in and out of rehab twice."

Druggies should be placed on lifetime probation after undergoing rehab the first time.
Any relapse and they should be locked away forever.
No "second chances". They are a menace to public safety.

[wardaddy]

BTTT

A citizen commits an horrendous rage fueled crime hence, there is no crime associated with the tidal wave of illegals (and not just Latino btw).

What part of that can't you understand mator?

(sarcasm off)

[hershey]

Oh, my, we're getting a bit ahead of ourselves. Of course Amnesty International, Mexico, and the rest of the usual suspects will protest anything done to this poor fellow.

[jagusafr]

How come nobody's made the observation that the journalist felt compelled to note his citizenship? An attempt to head off negative comments at the pass? Why? Seems a little "Thou protesteth too much" to me. Comments?

[Not A Snowbird]

At least this means the Mexican Consulate will not be protesting the death penalty being applied to a Mexican citizen in the US.

I'll bring the popcorn. Of course, it's California, so it may be 20 years before he's executed.

[Moonman62]

Maybe he's a CINO, Citizen In Name Only.

[Wolfstar]

...but I don't care to waste my life on their bigotry.

Life is too short. Besides, it wouldn't do any good anyway.

[hershey]

The paper was probably deluged with phone calls wanting citizenship details.

[Fabozz]

"Hopefully this at least will assuage some of the anti-illegal suspicions and insanity that has been stirred up."

Don't count on that. The nativist crowd has already moved on to questioning whether his parents were legal. I guess the theory is that the only way Americans can be criminals or insane is if they're tainted by foreign blood.

[drjimmy]

He certainly looks like an American citizen.

You mean like this guy?

[jagusafr]

Sadly, you're probably right.

[GOP_Proud]

Hey, that's Miguel not Manuel.

[sinkspur]

Doesn't change the fact that the expectation was based on the general lawlessness that we are importing from that border.

That's OK. Jumping offside on the immigration issue is de rigeur around here.

[Not A Snowbird]

As we saw yesterday on this board, the question of citizenship was the first thing many people thought of. I understand the reporter putting it in the article.

[Military family member]

Potential federal jurisdiction...That means he'll end up here in Terre Haute

[wardaddy]

Comments?

LOL...where have you been....this is the most contentious subject matter on the forum...this and south bashing.

[TenaciousZ]

How come nobody's made the observation that the journalist felt compelled to note his citizenship? An attempt to head off negative comments at the pass? Why? Seems a little "Thou protesteth too much" to me. Comments?

Because there's been a lot of speculation, all over the place, most of it unfair and unfounded. Yesterday there were complaints that the media was suppressing information about his citizenship.

[Wolfstar]

They are a menace to public safety.

I agree. Especially those as far gone as this dude.