Reading about fivetoes is an inspiration for me as I am blind in one eye but it doesn't stop me from living a full life either!
WTG! fivetoes!
It's 21 degreees here as I post this...
 |
 |
Congrats Fivetoes and thanks for your service to our country.
Coffee's on
I haven't been hunting since I left home (Texas) back in the mid '80's, but I know what you mean about the pride of accomplishment when you survey the countryside. :)
Does Socialist Securty count as a gubmint grant? If it does, I'm in trouble here! :)
Have a cup of coffee and stay warm today on this, your day.
It is heartening, after all the stories and pictures thrust in our face daily on television and in print of those who labor to undermine our America.
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.
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!
