August 17th 2015. Another Tentative Date in the upcoming 'Grim Sleeper Trial'....... Really?

At 8.59am, Lonnie David Franklin was walked in to the Courtroom by the Bailiff, this time with his head turned towards the family members of the victims.  Usually his head is firmly in a downward position but today it was strangely towards the Gallery.

He, like the rest of us, including the family members of the victims, have been coming to this Courtroom over the past 5 years, 1 month and 10 days.   It is an absolute disgrace and yet another miscarriage of Justice in this 'so-called' American Justice System!  

Always sitting next to me, usually all together on the same row, are the loyal families to each of their loved ones who were so brutally killed for no reason at all.   Quite possibly by the very man whom they were/are sitting only feet away from.   How I often wonder how much restraint they all have not to jump up and attack the man that has been charged with these brutal crimes.   How they sit there silently never making any rude outbursts as I'm sure they wish they could.   They faithfully show up like clockwork every time Lonnie Franklin appears in Court, some of them using numerous forms of public transportation, some in failing health and others taking time away from their jobs.  

All this disruption and unnecessary chaos in their lives due to a person who chose to selfishly murder their loved one, for no reason at all other than who or what he perceived her to be.   Combine that with the Defense using their 'never ending' shenanigans to stall/delay the Trial of the person charged, so far for 5 years one month and 10 days!   How much more can these family members take?   And what have they done to deserve this.... Absolutely nothing!

Today's Proceedings were the usual total disrespect to Judge Kennedy, mainly on the part of the Defense and then the Prosecution... the main woman on the Prosecution side, who is never at a loss for words, told the Judge, "You keep  falling in to the Defense's trap!"  To which she snapped back "I am not falling in to anyone's trap Ms Silverman!"

It was clear that the Defense was up to his usual games and even the Judge admitted that he is using his 'gamesmanship' to delay the case as much as he can.   She then asked the Prosecution 'Why don't you call his bluff'.   Call his bluff?  What kind of professionalism is going on here?  None in my humble opinion.   The only professionally behaved people in the Courtroom seems to be those of us that are sitting in the Gallery.   In all the Trials I've sat in on, never have I ever seen such childish behaviour which makes a mockery of the already broken Justice system here in the US.   Why is the Judge letting this happen?  Is this a game by all of them at the expense of the tax payers and the victims family members?  Or is it to gain publicity for this Case or what?  Judge Kennedy seems like a very nice lady, she has a good reputation of being strong too.  However, there is nothing strong about the way she is dealing with the main person who is speaking on behalf of the Defense, Seymour Amster.

Judge Kennedy does her best to stand up to him but as soon as he spits and splutters and screams and shouts, she completely backs down and waits to get a word in.  Surely she should be the one ruling the roost.

As the morning proceeded, it was established that the Defense feel that they will be 'ambushed' by the Prosecution during the Trial, so they want to keep their cards close to their chest.  The words 'ambushed' was thrown around quite a bit today, which was Mr Amster's stalling tactic of the morning, so that he could be cagey about the witnesses that he may or may not use.  The Judge was looking back and forth in horror, as she always does, at both the DA and Amster like a tennis match that never seemed to end!

The hate between the Ms Silverman  and Mr Amster is so apparent that you could cut the atmosphere with a a knife.  Apparently there was another 'Death Penalty case' that they were on together and Ms Silverman eluded to another Defense Counsel having to step in.. to which Mr Amster lost the plot.....again.

It concluded with Judge Kennedy saying "Well apparently there is no love lost between the two of you."  Amster responded "I will stipulate to that one".   Ms Silverman said "And I will agree with Counsel for the first time."   Amster again responded "Well at least we can agree on something".

So, yet again, as of today there is now another Trial date set for October 14th 2015.  That will be exactly 5 years, 3 months and 7 days since the day that Lonnie Franklin was arrested for being the 'alleged' Grim Sleeper.  Let's see if this date is the real date for the Trial to begin.... we will see, because I highly doubt it!

Please stay tuned.....

The Grim Sleeper Pre (X50+) Trial Arraignment... December 10th 2014

At 9.12am on the 9th floor of the Criminal Courts Building... the Defense for Lonnie Franklin Jr, came stumbling in at his usual 80mph pace.  Moments afterwards, the 'alleged' Grim Sleeper, Lonnie Franklin, was escorted in by the Bailiff, in his orange jumpsuit and looking downward as he always does.

The Judge spoke first stating that the Defense had only just 'filed a motion' this morning.... meaning this was to delay the Trial date even further.  Technical jargon was used but in layman's terms, it was clear to everyone that he is continuing to play his games using delaying tactics and filing motions as he has always threatened in each of the previous  Pre-Trial appearances.

The DA stated that over the course of the past 7 months that only 3 weapons (guns) have been tested for DNA and the remaining 7 guns haven't been checked at all.
To which the response from the Defense was that he will admit that there was a 'lapse' on his part however he will not be making any excuses for himself and feels that 'The People' do have a legitimate complaint in this instance.

He continued to go around in circles again still not giving any reason as to why this huge 'lapse' happened and what he can do to rectify the situation.

After many back and forth suggestions of the next Pre (Pre,Pre) Trial Arraignment date between the Judge, the DA and the village idiot.... I mean the Defense...  the date they decided upon was January 14th.

The Judge suggested that:
"Even though you two don't get along", referring to the DA and the Defense, "you both need to discuss this matter of how you plan to proceed with this case and also each other.  In fact I order you both to 'meet and confer' about this situation and come to some kind of Agreement before the next Court date".

Then the DA brought up the fact that we need a new Trial Date before we leave today.  To which the fight was on again from the Defense saying he is not ready to set a date for Trial.  Then the Judge responded immediately with:

"I don't think that he will never be ready!" Speaking about the Defense, she then questioned him by asking:
"What about setting a Trial Date for March Mr. *****?"  Judge Kennedy asked.
The Defense mumbled, "I'm thinking more like June as I'm hoping we can have it (The Trial) sometime next year."
To which the DA erupted with shock and the Judge ended with her comment that, "It will be next year Mr ******, that is a guarantee!"

Another non-entity Pre (Pre X50+) Arraignment day but we had to all be there to know what is going on and when the possibility of a confirmed Trial date might be..... still nothing is confirmed yet.

Grim Sleeper Pre-pre-pre Trial Arraignment

At 8.45am everyone (except the Defense and his client Lonnie Franklin), including the Prosecution, the Homicide Detective(s), the regular four victims family members, were all in their seats in the Courtroom of Dept 109, on the 9th Floor, of the Criminal Courthouse.

At 9.04am the Defense comes racing in to the Courtroom as if he's a racehorse and has just been let out of the gate to run his first race at Santa Anita..... Typically late of course.

At 9.18 Lonnie Franklin shuffled in, handcuffs and in his orange oversized jumpsuit.  Escorted by the bailiff of course.

The Defense started speaking without anyone asking him to, which is typical, stating that he had only just received his 'last batch of DNA' to be tested and that he will be reconsidering whether or not he'll decide whether he needs to do any more DNA testing after that.  He stated that he doesn't want to come back until December 1st as, "there would be no point as we (the Defense) still aren't ready.

The Prosecution jumped in stating that they, quite rightly so, are not willing to wait an entire month to come back to Court.

The Judge asked "Why does this (re: the delivering of evidence) 'dribble' on so slowly?"

To which the Defense started to raise his voice, as always, stating that he'd like to speed things up but it's out of his hands.  He went on to say that nothing would make him happier for the process to be quicker but it's not up to him.  Then who is it up to I ask myself.

"I am working very hard on this case and need the time away from the Court to increase my chances of me being ready for Trial coming up early next year"... The Defense said.

The Judge responded that she is keeping the date of November 14th for the next pre-Trial Arraignment and that is that.

Of course the The Defense argued back in his typical passive aggressive way that he will be 'willing to do that but is hesitant as it is all about a money issue right now and he's trying to stay ahead of it' however he is talking to his DNA experts continuously.

(This statement made no sense to me either).

The Prosecution stated that they have a number of large cases coming up at the beginning of the year so they need to know definitively whether the Trial date (which has been set already) will be going ahead or not.

The Defense shot back that he will probably need a 'time waiver'

It all ended within 8 minutes and we walked out at 9.26am!

Another waste of time, especially for the prosecution and the victim's family members who are doing their best to contain themselves after continuously being reminded (every Court date) of the tragic loss which they have had in their lives.

To be continued......

The Grim Sleeper Pre (Pre.. Pre..)Trial Arraignment... "Counsel Should Have Been Arrested!"

At 9.04am in Dept.14 on the 9th Floor of the Criminal Courts Building, Downtown LA, Lonnie David Franklin Jr. was walked in by the bailiff.  As usual he shuffled in wearing shackles and handcuffs and the same orange jumpsuit as always, looking downward.

Nothing was any different today from the routine that has always taken place in Dept. 14 every 2 - 3 weeks with all of these  Pre, Pre, Pre Trial Arraignments, since July 2010.

Each and every Court appearance, one of the Attorney's (or should I clarify, the public defender's) for Lonnie Franklin becomes more and more ballsy, combative and argumentative.  However today he went overboard and it was grounds for him being held in Contempt of Court.  I am surprised that he wasn't arrested with his threats, outbursts and attacks directed to the Judge and the DA.

After 4 years and 3 months of Counsel's bumbling and rambling responses to the Judge's questions.... and with him continually making excuses for having, yet again, made no progress whatsoever to expedite this case going to Trial..... and with his unlimited attacks on the DA and her (justified) attacks on him.... etc.. Judge Kathleen Kennedy finally had enough!

Her face became red quite a few times and then she suddenly raised up in her chair, leaning over her desk and pointing down to this little man, Franklin's Counsel, and yelled "Stop it!  Stop it! Stop it!" She yelled these words well over those three times.  Then she turned to the DA, as soon as she responded with an attack back and again yelled "Stop it the both of you!"

In a nutshell the Defense was saying that they need a few more years to get everything together for this case to go to Trial!  They make the excuse that due to the fact that there are 10 murders (and counting) linked to their client, that this is the reason for all the unending delays.

However today we were supposed to receive a 'Trial date'?  "So what was this bumbling fool playing at now?"   (Speaking the thoughts of the rest of the Courtroom including myself).  

The family members who I always sit next to, just gasped in absolute horror when this was said.
Counsel went on to splutter out: "My experts have told me they need a couple more years at least, especially as we have to go through hours and hours of video tapes."

The Judge responded with: "Two more years is ridiculous!  I want to know now what date we are going to set for Trial... today?"
Counsel retorted with his angry attitude, leaning in to the desk, banging the table aggressively: "I'm sorry but I won't give you a 'Trial date'!  I refuse!  I want to get the case to Trial as soon as I can but if I can't do it competently then I won't do it until I'm ready.. not you!"

It went back and fourth between the Judge, the DA and Defense Counsel and the yelling got louder and louder from the Defense's side.  He even said that if they set a date today, he will immediately 'make motions to delay it time and time again'.  Judge Kennedy said that he was 'Threatening the Court and also that his 'level of voice will not be tolerated' in her Courtroom.  She told him that he was 'Out of line!'.. on a number of occasions.  This statement was long overdue.  

"Ok, the Trial date will be January 14th 2015" Judge Kennedy stated.  This date was agreed upon by both the Judge and the DA, however naturally the Defense Counsel 'lost the plot' all over again.  He was rolling around in his chair like a rabid dog with spit coming out of his mouth when he shouted.   No one seemed to have any control over him, although today, the Judge tried her best.   Even the homicide detective told me afterwards that he'd 'never seen anything like this in his lifetime'.  He told me other things about the case too, but that was off the record and will remain that way.

It was beyond uncomfortable for everyone in the Courtroom today.  The Defense knows he has everyone by the 'short and curlies' (aka b**s).
Meaning that, at this late stage of the game, if the Judge was to replace him with a competent lawyer, the new Counsel would have to start from the beginning again which would take many more years. So Franklin's Defense seems to continually get away with being abusive and venomous every time Court is in session, yet no one can do anything about it.  Each time he gets worse.  

To add to this mess, we the tax payers are still paying him his hourly wage.  You can be sure that he is billing/invoicing for himself numerous hours even when he's asleep.

The families of the victims just sat there, some with their heads in their hands, some on the verge of tears and some just so worn down with this horrible process that they just hung their heads in utter disbelief.

This is yet another terrible miscarriage of Justice and everyone is suffering, in one way or another, due to the actions (or lack of actions) from this incompetent Defense!

To be continued.......

September 23rd..."Just Following Orders"..... 6 Los Angeles County Sheriff's sentenced to prison. A very sad day for the LASD

Six LA County Sheriffs were sentenced to prison this morning after being convicted of conspiracy, making false statements and obstructing an FBI investigation.

The sentence went as follows:

Lt. Greg Thompson - 37 months
Lt. Stephen Leavins - 41 months
Dep. Gerard Smith - 21 months
Dep. Mickey Manzo - 24 months
Sgt. Scott Craig - 33 months
Sgt. Maricela Long - 24 months 

Plus 1 year supervised release after they are set free.

They were all convicted on July 1st of this year on charges including: obstructing an FBI Investigation, conspiracy, tampering with witnesses, threatening an FBI Agent and making false statements.  

Judge Percy Anderson spoke slowly and firmly stating that the defendants "lacked the courage to do what is right." When he spoke to the defendants, he went on to say: "You broke the vow you made to protect the public and serve the community. You have embarrassed the Sheriff Department and none of you showed the courage to do what's right."  But 'following orders' is exactly what these deputies believed 'to be right!'  Some of these defendants have been with the Sheriff Department for 30 years and have always upheld the law.  So why would any of them now decide to start becoming corrupt when they were so close to retirement?  It just doesn't make sense.  

Judge Anderson also said they all "acted as a shield to protect the dirty deputies...... perhaps it is a symptom of the corrupt culture within the Sheriffs Department".  Yet these deputies were merely following the orders from their higher-ups ~ Sheriff Baca and Under Sheriff Tanaka ~ regarding the handling of inmate (and FBI informant) Anthony Brown.   

The prosecution accused two of the defendants of "scaring and trying to intimidate a female FBI Agent", when what they were doing was simply trying to find out why she had 'smuggled a cell phone illegally into their jail'.   That is a crime in itself.

The Judge continued to humiliate the defendants by saying that they all felt and behaved as if they were "above the law".  He also said that they had a choice between right and wrong yet they repeatedly engaged in the wrong conduct.  

But how is it 'wrong conduct' when they were clearly following orders of their supervisors.  Aren't the true puppet masters Under Sheriff Paul Tanaka and retired Sheriff Lee Baca?

Judge Anderson stated that none of the defendants had shown the 'slightest remorse'.  But why should they feel remorse for a crime that they know that they were not committing?

The attorneys, for the defendants, asked for a punishment of home confinement and/or probation and to also take in to account their careers in law enforcement and protecting the public.  The Judge said he did take this in to account and would adjust their sentences 'downward'.  Yet, the sentences that were adjusted 'downward' were by a few months at the most.

All of these five male and one female Sheriff deputies were merely 'following orders'.  They were protecting their jail and conducting business as usual.  Today they themselves became victims to the Justice System which, as we all know, is often very unjust.

In a nutshell it seems that the actual people who believe that they are 'above the law' aren't these Sheriffs at all.... it's the FBI.  They were quite happy to (illegally) smuggle a cell phone in to an inmate at the Men's Central Jail and yet they received no punishment at all.

Unless I'm wrong, I always thought that it was illegal to fight a crime by committing one (a crime) in order to investigate that crime?

To be continued.......

The Grim Sleeper 'Pre, Pre, Pre,' Pre, Trial Arraignment...

Yet again more delays in the upcoming Trial of the most prolific serial killer in Los Angeles history!

These ridiculous delays do not make any sense to the Prosecution, the Judge, the homicide detectives, the family members or anyone else in the Courtroom.  I don't even think that the delays, which the Defense is causing, makes sense to even them.

I do respect the fact that this case is one of the biggest and most difficult cases to Try in Los Angeles to date, especially how Lonnie Franklin was arrested using 'familial DNA'.   This is the first time this method has ever been used to charge someone with serial murder.

Today, the main female public defender was in the Courtroom (finally).  She said very few words but the words she did say, in response to the Prosecution's concerns for these delays, were: "We are progressing".

To which the Judge responded with: "I don't know what that means."  The Defense repeated the same words again in slightly a different way: "There is progression".  It all lasted less than 8 minutes and we left the Courtroom.

So for 4 years and 2 months (costing us tax payers' so much money) there is still no date set to go to Trial.

My book, however, is now finished and ready to be released very soon.   My book will cover my 'exclusive' one on one interviews, phone calls (and written correspondence) that I have had with the 'alleged' Grim Sleeper ~ Lonnie David Franklin Jr ~ over the past 4 years since his arrest in 2010.   Franklin has never spoken to any media or anyone else outside of his own family except for myself. He gave me the Rights to his life story and this is what my book will be about.

Please stay tuned and I will be posting when my book will be released.....

The 'Alleged' Grim Sleeper Pre Arraignment.. September 4th 2014

At the Criminal Courts Building on Sept 4th there was yet another Pre Trial Arraignment in the 'alleged' Grim Sleeper Case.  As always, the Defense 'need more time', so after 4 years and 2 months of delays, it is going to be delayed even further.

The last time we were in Court, for yet another pre -arraignment, the Defense eluded to this new delay was due to audio recordings that I'd had with their client.

The Defense stated that they need to go through a large number of audio recordings of my extensive jail interviews and telephone conversations which I'd had with their client, Lonnie Franklin, since he was arrested in 2010.   They claimed they would need at least a year to go over all of this information.

I obviously felt very awkward as I sat in the Courtroom, minding my own business, to be spoken about with the implication that, now, the cause of these delays are in part my fault.  The Judge hadn't a clue what the Defense was talking about but another 'woman' with a position of power knew exactly what the Defense meant.  She then chimed in and attacked me, in her typical way of attacking people.  I responded to her very nicely and corrected her by saying that 'I'm an author'.  

I shouldn't have responded as I was not 'called upon to respond', so for the next time I'll know better. However it's a little difficult when everyone is referring and speaking about me, (and one woman angrily attacking me) when I was sitting right there.   Apparently she is known to attack everyone so I should have been prepared that my day was coming.  It seems that vindictive women are everywhere in Los Angeles, yet I'm surprised that with her being in a high position in the Courtroom, that it doesn't exclude her from behaving like one.

On the morning of September the 4th it went pretty much the same way as it does every few weeks with the Defense using as many 'stalling tactics' as they can.   As always the Defense asked the Judge "May I just say something?" And her usual response is "No you may not!" Usually because he is interrupting someone.

The jist of this whole morning was about not turning over the 'discovery' of the evidence and also delaying the return of those 'discovery items'.  The Prosecution stated that "Not one item has been returned by Consul yet"  The Defense's excuse was that they didn't want to send it back in dribs and drabs and wanted to send it all at once when the testing was completed.

Bottom line is that the Defense wants more time... as always!
The Judge and Prosecution want a Trial date and the response from the Defense was typical:  "I'm not ready for Trial!"

So we continue to spin our wheels waiting for this case to go to Trial and these delays are all being caused by the Defense.

I am shocked, yet again, by the Justice System here in America in letting this nonsense happen.  This pending Trial has now become a farcical.  I am desperately sorry for the victims family members who should have had this Trial over and done with by now so they can have some form of closure regarding their loved ones.   This is truly a disgrace!