Posted on 08/04/2008 4:59:36 PM PDT by WmShirerAdmirer
Recently a T-Shirt was put up for sale on the internet. It purports to be directed at Thomas Athans (since no one would even know who Alycia Martin is otherwise) however, Thomas Athans is not mentioned, depicted in picture, or otherwise referenced, on the shirt. This is because Thomas Athans was never charged with any crime stemming from the events of February 26, 2008. This remarkable lack of prosecution and fodder for the media (and this T-Shirt company) is a direct result of the "special treatment" afforded Thomas Athans. There simply is no "mug shot" of Thomas Athans to use. Instead there is only the widely disseminated picture of Alycia Martin which is captioned "The Information Super Ho-Way." Athans is, by virtue of his marriage to U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow and/or his failed business venture in Liberal Talk Radio, an "important person" to the media. Since there is no charges against him, Alycia becomes the surrogate "whipping girl."
Lt. Gerry Scherlinck, public relations specialist for the Troy Police Department, released a high resolution digital picture of Martin's booking picture to the media in response to a Freedom of Information Request (FOIA) from the Detroit News and Detroit Free Press, for one and one purpose only, to maximize Alycia's exposure to the media, and convict her in the Court of public opinion. Most, if not all police departments release only printed low resolution pictures in response to FOIA requests. This "overkill" is not justifiable under any reasonable circumstances. The Troy Police knew Martin's desperate situation, yet purposefully decided to grind her into the dust. Alycia Martin will survive this assault on her dignity as she survived the other degradations visited upon her. Alycia was supposed to jump bond, but to the surprise of the Troy Police and Thomas Athans appeared in Court to face the charge. Alycia has not missed or been late to a single Court appearance. Alycia refused to disappear into the night, and decided to fight to regain her life against the odds. Attorney Cusumano has and will continue to stand by her, as he has through her other challenges, in Court and in her life, to help her get back what was lost. Alycia should serve as an inspiration to others in similar straits that they can make positive change and get their lives back.
Predictably, Martin's FOIA requests for documents and for the inspection of things to the City of Troy relative to the investigation and prosecution of Alycia Martin were denied in total. Martin is, of course, a "little person" and is expected to absorb the glare and brunt of negative publicity while Athans, as if nobility, walks away "scot free."
In feudal Europe, nobility could not be punished for their crimes. Usually the nobleman was not charged at all. If charged and after the finding of guilt, the sheriff would pick out a peasant servant or one from the crowd and lash him/her to the whipping post to absorb the beating. This was "punishment" since it was such a "disgrace" and "embarrassment" to the person of noble birth to have to witness such a thing. Nobility could not be touched. Likewise, in People v. Martin, the Troy Police argue that Athans has been "punished" by his embarrassment of having been caught in criminal activity, and having to endure the legal proceedings against Alycia. Athans has not had to defend himself against criminal charges, bears no criminal record, has not been pilloried in the press like Alycia, and was not even forced to testify when Martin called him as a witness in her pretrial Motion to Dismiss. Alycia Martin, who had surprisingly few choices in her life, is portrayed as "evil" and prosecution is necessary for law and order, but the same does not apply to Athans. The founding fathers of this country rejected such notions of entitlement and opted for "equal justice." It should be noted that U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow has spent a life time of public service to the people of the State of Michigan, and should not be victimized, or her contributions diminished, for the actions of her legal spouse, Athans or the actions of the Troy Police Department relative to their handling of Athans. Misogyny in any form should not be tolerated, and this principal holds for both Stabenow and Martin, irrespective of political, social or economic wealth or influence. Posted by Alycia Martin at 2:55 PM
(Atom) Booking Photo April 4, 2007
Alycia's situation is apparent. Alycia spent 22 days in the Macomb County Jail because no one would post a small bond for her, "I didn't think anyone cared anymore." Click on picture to link to a recent Chicago Study on what attitudes men who buy women have and their motivations. Athans, the alleged John, faced no charges in the February 26, 2008, matter compliments of the Troy Police Department.. Backpage.com image distributed by Troy PD
Professional Madison Avenue type Internet Human Trafficking - No arrest of the alleged John. No investigation or pursuit of person(s) that put this post together or posted it on the internet. No arrest or investigation of the person who rented Unit 1822 on Feb. 26, 2008, and according to Troy detectives rented another room at the same location in July 2007 for prostitution. No arrests or charges against the vast undergound network of connectors, recruiters, groomers, traffickers (pimps/handlers), bottoms, watchers, wife-in-laws, or security guards. There is only the heroic and ambitious arrest of the girl by the Special Investigations Unit of the Troy PD, and the forfeiture of what few assests and worldly possessions she had. Like Patty Hearst, this 20 year old girl did not willingly choose this for her life. Click on the image. Booking Room Vestibule Troy PD
Booking Room Troy PD
Processing of Alycia - Athans, the alleged john, is on his way home, happy, safe, sound, and scot free from his involvement in this matter.
Before allowing Alycia's release from jail, two Troy Police officers had Alycia sign, among all the other papers signed that night, a "Consent Forfeiture Agreement" which, according to the City Attorney of Troy, she "voluntarily agreed" to the forfeiture of all her money they had seized, leaving her penniless and unable to hire a lawyer.
Booking Photo - Troy PD, February 26, 2008
Distibuted worldwide by the Troy Police Public Relations Specialist Lt. Gerry Scherlinck Secretary of State Trips
Post 911 Requirements made Alycia's driver's license very difficult to obtain, On July 22, 2008 Alycia received her first Michigan Driver's License. Alycia Martin and Defense Counsel
Detroit News Photo Alycia Martin Appears in Court
Alycia has never missed or been late for a Court appearance. AP Photo. Alycia Driving from SOS.
It took almost two months to replace her stolen identification, Alycia passed her written test and received her learner's permit. Legal Driver Focused on Road Ahead Road Test Certificate
Next: Full License - Alycia's First Through the Eyes of Children
A loving family embraces Alycia. After Plea to Trespassing
No warrants. Only Troy case sentencing left to go. Observation of Unit 1822 "Unobstructed"
1822 Door is behind tree. EWL Video Link
Dispelling the Myths - Click on portrait for Video Link LOLA GREENE BALDWIN FOUNDATION
Click on for link. Portland, Oregon's Recovery Center Education Links on Prostitution
Escaping Prostitution - Service Links (Note None Available in Michigan)
How Prostitution Works
Human Trafficking In USA You Tube Video
Is Paying for Sex Really Worth It?
Is Prostitution Consensual Sex for a Price, or Violence Against Women?
Prostitution and Male Supremacy
Prostitution Harms Women Even Indoors
Ten Reasons Not to Legalize Prostitution Unequal
Blog Archive ▼ 2008 (7) ▼ August (2) On July 25, 2008, and July 30, 2008, Alycia filled... What the Troy Police Intentionally Inflicted on Al... ► July (5) On July 22, 2008, Alycia Martin received her first... Background Comment: Attorney Cusumano on Pro Bono Work Confessed Crimes by Thomas Athans - No Charges Post Plea Comment by Attorney Cusumano
Should the Troy Police Charge Johns as well as Prositutes?
Was Alycia Martin treated fairly by the Troy Police Department
????
Well she could have avoided all this embarrassment to her “dignity” by just keeping her drawers on and not breaking the law by becoming a prostitute. I might have some sympathy for her if she was sorry about being a prostitute and trying to turn her life around, but sounds like just a bunch of liberal whining that she got caught and it’s so misogynist and she’s an innocent whipping girl and blah blah blah. She should have thought about her dignity a long time ago if it means that much to her. Maybe she should think about letting this embarrassment lead her to make a few life style changes.
Thanks for posting. Congrats to Alycia Martin and her family and friends for helping her turn her life around.
As for Thomas Athans and Senator Debbie Stabenow, I wonder how happy they are with themselves, each other and their marriage. Seems to me the husband of a United States lawmaker (that's what Stabenow is as one of Michigan's two senators)he should abide by the law, and have some consideration for his wife in every regard.
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.