Posted on 08/26/2006 9:33:29 PM PDT by Ken H
Tony Soprano Channeling Sam Spade
I don't mind a reasonable amount of trouble. If I did, would you find me in those dark hours, eyeing some broad at Blinco's, about to find myself in the middle of the biggest story to hit town in years?
I'm Tony Soprano of the Court TV discussion board fame. No, not the guy on that TV show. I just took his moniker cause it gave me cover like a cheap toupee when a fella's follicles are few. I'm not afraid of cops like Gottlieb. I was there the night the caper with the fry cook went down.
Did I see it? No.
Gottlieb and I rub each other the wrong way, like a cheap wool suit you've had one year too long. Things were tense that night, my friends. I shot off my mouth a few times.
As Gottlieb passed my barstool, he leaned in close. I could see the oily sweat on his shiny bald head. "Keep riding on me and they're gonna be picking iron out of your liver." He straightened up and, with his posse following him, sauntered out the door into the alley. What happened next, well, that's the most baffling mystery story in years.
A friend of mine, a newsie, was in Blinco's a few nights later. "Tony, Have the barkeep pour me some of that booze you're drinking, and I'll tell you a story you might want to hear." "Good booze makes any tale you're going to tell one I want to hear." I motioned for him to pull out the barstool beside me. We waited till the dame serving us gave me a wink and sauntered back to the bar.
"Did you see Gottlieb's picture on the front page of the local rag. Did you read the piece saying his boss Nifong should be worried he's going down for the Blinco's gig?'
"Yeah, me and half the town saw that. What's your beef? Gottlieb's days as a Big Shot Bully are as numbered as a Currier and Ives calendar. The cook ratted him out, said the "Bald guy" was the instigator. Of the coppers here that night, Gottlieb fit that description like a Hong Kong suit you had made to order. He's as finished as a Dame from an East Coast Boarding school. He's going down.
The newsie smiled, took another sip of his drink. "Not so fast, Tony, Gottlieb may have hired a lawyer, but he ain't gonna take the fall. Our big story tomorrow is two young cops will take the rap for him. No way bossman Nifong will let his boy Gottlieb go down till the Dukies are duked out." I took a drag on my cigarette and watched the smoke curl across the table. The newsie leaned in and pushed copy of the morning's paper my way.
Our eyes met again as I glanced at the photos of the two cops charged."
But they have hair! Their heads look like lucky sheep who ran from a careless shearer. No way they fit the Cook's description. And Gottlieb lawyered up faster than a railroad car on an icy stretch of track!"
"Exactly. Nifong's the boss. He ain't gonna let no stinking fry cook ruin the best campaign strategy since Washington rowed across a frosty river in Delaware. Gottlieb's the chief investigator. Three months later, he turned in ...pages of notes. His recollection of events added details to Nifong's case like a New York seamstress adds sequins to a songbird's gown. Gottlieb's in solid with the boss."
I sat in stunned silence, not even a come hither look from the comely barmaid could stop my thoughts. The newsie took another sip of the bourbon I bought him.
"It ain't the first time either. One morning. around 6AM, Gottlieb ran a red light and rammed his car into another guy's ride right here in Raleigh. When the smoke cleared, Mr.Nobody's car had $7000 worth of damage. Our man Gottlieb didn't even get a ticket. Tony, if that was you or me, think the Raleigh cops would let it slide like a fried egg on a greasy stove?"
I leaned back. The newsie smiled a knowing smile. "Ain't gonna happen, Tony. Watch and see. The guy with the smashed car, the poor fry cook here that got knocked around? They are NOBODYS, Tony. And NOBODY cares." My beat can be ugly, my friends. The night can be cold. But this story chilled me like a eager bridegroom's champagne waiting to be uncorked. But it's not over yet. Tony Soprano doesn't go down easy.
******Footnote: Unlike some OTHER fiction writers LieStoppers feels the need to distinguish fiction from fact. Should the NYT wish to carry this story, LieStoppers will insist they disclose the difference. Tony Soprano was NOT in Blinco's the night of the Fry Cook beating, but we link to the basic facts of the story that ARE true.
[Links are at Liestoppers, and will be listed in posts to follow]
Could they have brought her in to get a written statement for court today?
Maybe that is what we will learn later in the day.
I'm sure the move was in regard to ELMO's trial - way too much of a coincidence.
But, from what I was told - I think that means that 1) the trial will be postponed - AGAIN or 2) they made a calculation that it wasn't worth it.
The woman has 126 or 127 arrests depending on if she lifted something while she was at the jail yesterday.
Personally with her record, I don't think it's an option for her to decide NOT to cooperate.
Two things Nifong wants, IMO ...
Elmo's character tarninshed, and
Gottlieb's kept clean.
With a record like that most sane prosecutors wouldn't use her against a man with a clean record.
continuing ...
My hunch is the DA's office wanted to strike a deal with Elmo so something would appear on his record.
So far it seems Elmo has rejected any deals.
Too late for Gottlieb'c character to remain untarnished, don't you think? Do you think Nifong is oblivious to recent revelations about Gottlieb?
Right............
And if I was him I would continue to do so.
Personally with her record, I don't think it's an option for her to decide NOT to cooperate.
With a record like that most sane prosecutors wouldn't use her against a man with a clean record.
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That's exactly what I was thinking, how could they justify that? The Defense attorneys would flip out.
I am certain Nifong is aware of Gottlieb's involvement in the Blinco's racist attack and his traffic accident. The problem is that he wasn't charged in either event.
Not a coincidence in my view.
This just in...
http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/480278.html
Judge asked to throw out shoplifting charge
Right, he wants to muddy the waters on every single witness.
I think he has a list of people - like Kim, Bissey, Kroger Security guard and more that'll change their story in court - Nifong's just looking for a was - not to say their credible witnesses for him, but he's acting like a Defense attorney - just create doubt.
That's why I hope they can keep Finnerty's witness under wraps as long as possible.
Thanks !
Another lying witness. Security guard says he pulled away before the door was even shut - Surveilance tape PROVES him a liar !
And out of state. ;)
Dang no mention of the judge.
No mention of the security guard either.
Blast from the past ...
http://www.newsobserver.com/1185/story/438305.html
Elmostafa said he later received a call asking him to speak with Hecht's security. The security officer at Hecht's said Hawkins had stolen some purses before getting into the taxi, Elmostafa said.
Elmostafa said he gave the woman's address and a copy of his driver's license to the security guard, who thanked him for his help.
Thank goodness for the tape.
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