Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Judge rules biker, wife jailed with sufficient probable cause in Twin Peaks case
Waco Tribune-Herald ^ | August 17, 2015 | TOMMY WITHERSPOON

Posted on 08/17/2015 11:12:47 AM PDT by Prolixus

click here to read article


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-49 next last
To: don-o

” but does not say what any specific individual did in violation of the law.”

... did commit or conspire to commit murder, capital murder or aggravated assault ...


21 posted on 08/17/2015 1:21:02 PM PDT by TexasGator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: peyton randolph

“On its face, it seems to be the criminalization of the ongoing activity of freedom of association rather than focusing on actual crimes that took place on that particular day at Twin Peaks. “

Dang. The police spoiled what would have been the gang-fight of history!


22 posted on 08/17/2015 1:22:28 PM PDT by TexasGator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: peyton randolph

“However, the vague legal reasoning behind criminalizing association of like-minded individuals could just as easily be applied to a FReeper protest, a fraternity party, a fundamentalist Christian church BBQ, a Tea Party rally, or a meeting of Texans to discuss peaceful voluntary secession. “

I googles the above to see how many gunfights they had. Didn’t find any.


23 posted on 08/17/2015 1:23:37 PM PDT by TexasGator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: TexasGator
did commit or conspire to commit murder, capital murder or aggravated assault ...

173 conspired? Ridiculous on its face,

24 posted on 08/17/2015 1:24:52 PM PDT by don-o (I am Kenneth Carlisle - Waco 5/17/15)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: don-o

“173 conspired? Ridiculous on its face, “

I think it was 186, including the dead.


25 posted on 08/17/2015 1:29:27 PM PDT by TexasGator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: SpeakerToAnimals

You guys must be part of some bad ass church if their BBQs end up with a gun fight.


26 posted on 08/17/2015 1:30:35 PM PDT by USNBandit (Sarcasm engaged at all times)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: USNBandit

Maybe no gun fight but an excellent chance of “hate speech.” Think!


27 posted on 08/17/2015 1:39:53 PM PDT by don-o (I am Kenneth Carlisle - Waco 5/17/15)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: USNBandit
You guys must be part of some bad ass church if their BBQs end up with a gun fight.

Only when the Police show up with the guns and shoot those they supposedly protect and serve. How do BATF boots taste?

28 posted on 08/17/2015 1:46:27 PM PDT by SpeakerToAnimals (Just scream and leap.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: SpeakerToAnimals

How do Bandido boots taste.


29 posted on 08/17/2015 2:02:00 PM PDT by USNBandit (Sarcasm engaged at all times)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: USNBandit
This is not about bikers, crime or outlaws. This is a possible murder and cover up by federal, state and local law enforcement. In Waco. Again.

Some of us want the truth. You seem to side with cover-ups.

30 posted on 08/17/2015 2:21:03 PM PDT by SpeakerToAnimals (Just scream and leap.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: SpeakerToAnimals

“Only when the Police show up with the guns and shoot those they supposedly protect and serve. How do BATF boots taste? “

The bikers had the cops outnumbered 186 to 23.

Guns: 155 to 40


31 posted on 08/17/2015 2:28:22 PM PDT by TexasGator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: SpeakerToAnimals

“This is not about bikers, crime or outlaws. “

LOL. It was a biker outlaw gang war!


32 posted on 08/17/2015 2:29:34 PM PDT by TexasGator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: USNBandit

“How do Bandido boots taste.”

Better yet, how does a urinated vest taste?


33 posted on 08/17/2015 2:30:36 PM PDT by TexasGator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: Boogieman
Ah, I wonder, when all the evidence comes out in the full trials, will the usual suspects around here still be pretending these folks were just innocent hobbyists targeted by the state? Time will tell.

I normally give law enforcement the benefit of the doubt. In this situation 170 person, many appearing to not have anything in common except being a motorcycle rider were all arrested for murder and a million dollar bond was requested?

Can't wait for all the evidence to come out at trial. As a Texas taxpayer I thing there is going to be a cost to the City of Waco and possible the State of Texas for the police action.

34 posted on 08/17/2015 2:41:32 PM PDT by Lockbox
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: TexasGator

“The bikers had the cops outnumbered.”

Quite so. Thanks for reminding everyone.


35 posted on 08/17/2015 2:48:51 PM PDT by AMDG&BVMH
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: SpeakerToAnimals
No, I want to know what happened. That is not going to happen reading the blogs of biker lawyers or bikers and taking it as the gospel. Unfortunately, with a large gunfight and an inordinate numbers of weapons on all sides, sorting through the evidence and waiting for the lab work is going to take a long time.

Obviously, there is a lot of doubt about the actions of police. What I don't understand is that the accounts of bikers are doubted, as well. Many people on this forum (not me) think that the cops killed everybody, despite one of the surviving Cossacks describing seeing several of his friends and family killed by Bandidos. What would be his motivation for lying? Fear of the police? He's already charged along with all the other surviving Cossacks.

36 posted on 08/17/2015 2:53:34 PM PDT by USNBandit (Sarcasm engaged at all times)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: USNBandit

“No, I want to know what happened.” “What I don’t understand is that the accounts of bikers are doubted, as well.”

I could quote and respond to some of your comments, however, in overall response to what you posted:

BUMP!


37 posted on 08/17/2015 3:34:35 PM PDT by AMDG&BVMH
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: Lockbox

“many appearing to not have anything in common except being a motorcycle rider...”

Sorry, I think that’s just laughable. I mean, if you just read the hysterical FR threads or blogs about this case, you would get that impression, but that just isn’t the case. Most of those arrested belonged to two outlaw gangs (or their support clubs) and were stupid enough to advertise their association for all the world to see. You really have to bury your head in the sand to ignore that.

I can’t wait for the trial either, but I think you’re going to be sorely disappointed when the evidence comes out.


38 posted on 08/17/2015 3:39:57 PM PDT by Boogieman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies]

To: Prolixus
Here is the substantive material that the judge relied on to find probable cause - either that, or the judge relied on the "magic words" that substitute for evidence, in Texas.

Department of Public Safety Lt. Steven Schwartz, a 17-year department veteran, testified at the morning hearing that William and Morgan English wore patches that identified them as members of a group called Distorted. Another patch identified them as members of a support group for the Bandidos, which Schwartz said has been identified as a criminal street gang. ...

He said he thinks the Englishes were aware of the rift between the Cossacks and Bandidos and they were there that day as a show of support for the Bandidos.

However, under cross-examination from Looney, Schwartz said neither he nor other DPS investigators were aware that the seven-member Distorted group existed before May 17. Looney said that of the seven members, only William English has a hint of a criminal past, what he called an "old DWI."

Schwartz said they wore patches that said they support the Bandidos, so that tells him they are at least "somewhat involved in criminal activity."

He said he saw nothing that day and has developed no subsequent evidence to show the Englishes are involved in criminal activity.

Schwartz suggested the Distorted group and others who ride motorcycles in Texas might think it is safer to wear a patch showing support for the Bandidos as they ride around the state. ...

Schwartz agreed with Looney that the Englishes were cooperative and agreed to talk to investigators after the shooting. He said they told police that one of their friends brought a gun with him, but they left it locked up in the car.

"Other than that, all we have is that they were merely present at a murder. Correct?" Looney asked.

"Correct," Schwartz said.

My prediction has been that the courts will find probable cause regardless. If the courts found absence of probable cause, that finding would be used by plaintiffs in deprivation of rights claims.
39 posted on 08/17/2015 4:12:37 PM PDT by Cboldt
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Cboldt

“Schwartz suggested the Distorted group and others who ride motorcycles in Texas might think it is safer to wear a patch showing support for the Bandidos as they ride around the state. ...”

I can understand that a little extra cloth would offer some protection in case of an accident but what is it about a ‘Bandido’ patch that makes it special?


40 posted on 08/17/2015 5:05:35 PM PDT by TexasGator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-49 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson