Posted on 01/23/2003 11:05:05 PM PST by daisyscarlett
A droopy but extreeeeeeeemely glad its Friday Good Morning to all you sweet Hostesses...I'm leaving lucky pennies on the counter for tips today...the coffee is extra good.
Fivetoes, very glad to meet you over the wire like this...a great story leads you to today...thanks for all the Freepin'...and, thanks for prompting me to be sure I don't take the Pledge of Allegiance for granted. Enjoy your day in the spotlight...good people here.
Semper fi.
In addition to ladtx's two sons, gatorgirl's husband, mama-bears nephew, we must add Eric to our prayer list as he has been notified of a call-up(though it is not certain if he has to go "over there").
Lord Jesus, Savior of the World and King of Peace, watch over our sons and daughters in the service of their country. Protect them from the physical and moral dangers of military life. Keep them close to You and help them live in such a manner that is pleasing to You. Lord Jesus, give them courage to serve their country with honor and dignity. Be with them when they are in danger, strengthen them when they face hardships. Above all Lord, grant that when their service is finished they may return to us, sound in mind, body and soul. And Lord, for those who give the ultimate sacrifice with their lives for serving our country, please touch and minister grace and healing to their families.
Amen.
Thank you J
The Coffee & Donuts will be retiring as of tomorrow.
Don't worry though, it will be back next Freepathon J
Fivetoes, I have been following your weekly rallies in Fort Collins for quite awhile, even though I don't always get a chance to comment on your post-rally thread. It's a great job you are doing out there. You and your fellow patriotic, flag waving Americans are very much appreciated.
Daisy, thanks for the nice intro to our featured FReeper today. It is a pleasure getting to know him a bit better.
In order for the military machine to function, each and every cog is essential to the missions.
Whether one is behind a desk in Payroll; in Supply, ensuring they have necessary clothing items and personal equipment; or in any 'support' rather than 'combat' role, each is making a vital contribution.
Each has set aside the freedom to make personal decisions for their life to serve the needs of the nation.
We here can be a powerful force in seeking God's protection and peace of mind for them all, not just those in harm's way, requiring only a few minutes of our time.
It is 'affordable' - no 'travel' necessary - no 'work' or 'dress' clothes required!
Please just pause each day to lift them and their loved ones up to Our Father ~ ~ ~
ohioWfan, your Eric is "our" Eric.
Knowing some of his history through your beautiful accounts as he went through training, makes that so.
Just another example of how FR is chock-full of interesting people.
daisy, after last night I was determined to find a spelling error and I think I found one. Good luck in finding it, hehehe.
Fivetoes, so very nice to meet you here and what a wonderful family you have - goodness, what a family! Thank you, daisy and fivetoes, for a most excellent read and excellent presentation! (Your photo is saved for the next military group) :)
I've been called into the Dallas County jury system about a half dozen times - about THREE times the last 5-6 years. I have the routine memorized...
Dallas uses the 'one day/one trial' system. You report for duty and if you aren't picked that day, that's it - you are dismissed. If you do get picked, you serve that one trial. I think Dallas instituted the system and others followed later?...
Anyway, my number was 765 and I played the old 'hurry up and wait' game I learned so well when I was a kid and Dad was in the Air Force, lol ! I got there at 7, way earlier than the 8:30 report time they scheduled. To get downtown, I always leave early to beat traffic. Even at that time, it was backed up. This gave me time to get a breakfast in the courthouse cafeteria. They have pretty good grub, too, actually. I also was able to overhear the morning conversation of the Sheriffs deputies while I had breakfast. It was kind of interesting, but that's another story, lol...
Finally around 11:30, they posted my number/group to report for a Competency hearing/trial. The trial was to begin @ 1:30, so we were free til then. Lunchtime!
There was a 20-25 minute delay getting started, however. We were left hanging in the hallway. I'll explain the delay shortly.
Finally we are called in. The judge explained that the DA and the Defense attorneys were in agreement on all the issues..."so you might ask, 'why do you need us here then?'..." He explained that Texas state law requires a jury for ALL competency hearings, regardless. Basically, it sounded like this is to protect from folks being put in mental institution without the peoples consent. (Oh, both of the attorneys were very competent lady attorneys too, btw).
This gets a little involved (long-winded) so this is gonna be the 'nutshell' version...
The defendant, a Mr. Rhoades (not sure of the spelling since I never saw them write the name) was charged with a felony crime, but there were some problems proceding with the case. He was being held in jail, and was being given his prescribed medicine for his psychiatric disorders, but he was refusing to take it, or wasn't taking the full amount. As a result, his problems were not getting better, but were getting worse. In the jail they cannot MAKE you take your meds, the judge and the attorneys explained. So they were unable to procede with the case because this guy refused to take his medication. It's kind of a Catch-22 situation. The guy had stopped taken his psych meds and commited a felony crime (detail of that was not given), landing him in jail. His psychological condition was not such that he could even talk to his attorney about the case to help her to help him. His speech, in short, was gibberish and communication with him was impossible. He refused to take his meds so the trial couldn't begin because of his impaired psychological/mental condition...
Well, as I said earlier, both attorneys were in agreement that the defendant was incompetent to stand trial and would not get better without getting him on board again with his meds. This was related to us by testimony from an expert psychiatrist that gave us background info on the guy. He had been treated for psychological problems by MHMR prior to the felony. It was his opinion that with being admitted to Vernon (a local Dallas mental treatment facility), he would be given attention he needs and they could give him the necessary doses of medication to get him stabilized 'within the foreseeable future'. This would enable him to gain his mental function again. He described the defendants' behavior in some detail. He described his condition as a type of 'schitzophrenia'. Mr. Rhoades was very incoherent in his speech, making it difficult to communicate with him, etc. Mr. Rhoades believed he was "God and the devil" all at the same time. It was strange. He had attempted to assault one of the police shortly after his arrest.
Anyway, that is the basic stuff. Regarding the delay now...
When we first got into the courtroom, the two lady attorneys were at their respective tables, with the chairs on this side and facing the prospective jurors. Next to the defending attorney was an empty chair, also facing us. The judge gave us the background of the case, and explained about the empty chair. He said that the reason for the delay was due to the defendant having caused somewhat of a disturbance prior to us being called in. Mr. Rhoades was in a room next to the courtroom and he could hear what was going on. They felt like if he were to be present in the courtroom that he was very likely to cause a disturbance then as well. I have a feeling they were right, too !
After we heard the testimony from the expert witness, the attorneys on both sides urged us to rule on verdict #3. The choices were:
1) The defendant is competent and should stand trial.
2) The defendant is incompetent and is UNlikely to regain competency.
3) The defendant is incompetent and is likely to regain competency 'in the foreseeable future' with psychiatric care.
Well, the whole process of the above took right at one hour from the time we walked into the courtroom, seated a jury and came to a verdict and were dismissed. Oh, yeah, once we were sent to deliberate the case and come to a verdict, we discussed the case for about 10-15 minutes and we were unanimous with verdict #3.
'And that's my story and I'm stickin' to it', lol ! Thanks for listening!
Now back to our regularly scheduled program !...
even though i proofread this, it's likely there are errors. apologies in advance...
GREAT presentation and selection as FR's Finest... today.
I especially like that part about taking the oath to defend the Constitution. Come to think of it, my discharge papers said nothing about giving up that duty.
Salute to you fivetoes and thank you!
Uh oh, I may be in big trouble now! :)
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