Our DA office, under Tim Harris is hard at work protecting criminals - still.
There has been a case winding its way through the courts that was resolved this month where the criminal involved came onto his porch drunk. With an SKS (miniature AK47 assault rifle). Pulled the bolt to load and pointed it at two minor boys across the street. Pulled the trigger. And aw, shucks, it was empty so no cartridge was fired.
Drunk goes back in the house and gets his Glock. Comes back to front porch and tries to aim at the boys, who by this time were high tailing it to the house. He did pull the slide to cock it. He did not have time to pull the trigger. When the police arrived, after a short standoff with the drunk, they found the empty SKS. And they found the LOADED, ready to fire Glock, with one in the chamber. Had he been just a little bit more sober...
Anyway, the Harris office has worked out a deal such that determination of verdict is deferred 10 years. (Drunk plead no contest). That means Harris is letting this criminal walk around for 10 years. Keep his concealed carry permit. And keep his insanity stewing around in the back of his mind until the NEXT time he decides to take care of things in the neighborhood.
The boys were sitting in their car, without music or otherwise disturbing anyone, across the street from the criminals house.
Sounds like law and order to me....I AM curious if the drunk has a relative who is a lawyer and friend of the court?
Small correction; the two 17 year old boys were involved in their own "criminal" activity. They were sitting in the car smoking cigarettes, so I guess they are not completely without blame, huh?
And I just hate it when I am wrong - and in this case, I was wrong. The drunk did NOT plead no contest. He plead GUILTY to feloniously pointing a firearm while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Sorry about the misinformation.
It was not just Harris' office that was involved. Judge Glassco made the decision - or rather lack of decision. For 10 years.
But the drunk was ordered to pay $250 victims compensation for the felony count! I wonder who gets that money?
Just one empty magazine away from an Arizona Safeway event.
And think, not one person stepped up to run against him. I have helped whomever has run againt Harris every time. He is NOT a good DA. I'm assuming you have a personal interest in this case, so I am sorry you had to be a victim of his justice.
*sidebar, they are overworked, and there are great ADAs over there, but Harris has got to go . . . . . wish the Mayor would offer him a cush job in his office and let someone else take over!!!
I am staying at arms length and just viewing from a distance. But I do know enough of the principals to get a pretty good overview. And the OCIS web site shows case information.
The ADA was also involved in this. Granted, there were several of them throughout the entire time, but they were at the table during all the discussions, I presume. I certainly hope the Judge didn't just visit with Dan Kramer (defense) and make a decision without input. But I guess, for all practical purposes, they did, huh?
Too bad we don't get to vote on Judge Glassco and DA Tim Harris, ain't it?
You are just a fount of misinformation.
Frankly, I'm surprised any self-respecting NRA member would refer to an SKS as an "assault rifle" or even used that trumped up term made up by the media to whip gun-grubbers into a frenzy. The only real similarities between an SKS and AK is they fire the same round and they are made in many of the same countries. They are about as similar as a mini 14 and AR-15.
We just had the opportunity to vote Glassco off the bench. Unfortunately incumbent judges are pretty hard to uproot without a lot of hoopla in the media. The last one they tore into who got beat was Caroline Wall IIRC.
Harris is a complete disgrace to the job, but until we are willing to pay the kind of money which would attract a great administrator and even better courtroom brawler to the post, we will never find a better DA. I've ranted about this before, you are more than welcome to run a search on previous threads where we've discussed Harris at length.
Also, as far as his personal participation in the case, since it was not high profile and no death resulted, there's a very good liklihood that he never even reviewed the case file. The DA's office sees 15,000 to 16,000 cases a year. That means the DA is primarily an administrator and secondly a prosecutor. Not defending him, but I'm a stickler for facts especially when someone makes an overly clumsy attempt at mangling the facts to suit their own paradigm.
Misinformation?
About the case or the SKS? I mentioned the SKS being similar to a miniature AK47 for those who aren't familiar with the two. I have owned both from time to time and have shot AK47 a few times and SKS MANY times. Fun rifle. The little bayonet is charming, with the cute little blood channels and flat front point. And if YOU were the one looking down the barrel of one when some drunk criminal pulled back the bolt to chamber a round, then pointed it at you and pulled the trigger from 55 feet away, I bet you, too would call it an assault rifle - in all senses of the word, but in particular because you would be victim of assault by that rifle. That's the best you can think of to complain about? Whew, losing our edge, are we?
As far as mini 14 and AR15, well the mini is smaller than AR (as is SKS), lighter (as is SKS), more maneuverable (as is SKS), less expensive (as is SKS). Sounds like an excellent comparison. Goes more to a matter of personal preference. I prefer the mini14. And the AK47.
Case misinformation? If you think so, will be glad to provide the case number for you. You can look up the particulars of case disposition, find the police report, etc. As far as the details of the event - well, that IS how it went down.
No, I am sure Harris is not involved directly, but hey, he is the one that wanted the "big seat", so he is indeed responsible. And I specifically stated that is was his office doing the "work". Just not very well. But hey, if we put violent criminals in prison, then where would we put all the stoners busted for a couple joints??
You should do your-self a favor and delete your previous post....
Yeah, probably should. I suspect Harris' office is already out to get me.
Which part do you think is over the line?
(Keep in mind the terms satire and hyperbole.)
But I do know a good lawyer to talk to, if needed. He did an excellent job. (No irony or satire there, in case anyone wondering.)
As for the last vote, yep, we are a prime example of "lost opportunity' in many ways. I don't care to start a discussion of Harris or Glassco. These are just unpleasant facts of life in Tulsa county, which the electorate is either to lazy or too apathetic to investigate, evaluate, and eliminate. Sad, but true.
Still not to the threshold to make me leave. But definitely above the threshold to motivate me to work for change.
Quote from: heironymouspasparagus on January 27, 2011, 06:56:49 AM
As for the last vote, yep, we are a prime example of "lost opportunity' in many ways. I don't care to start a discussion of Harris or Glassco. These are just unpleasant facts of life in Tulsa county, which the electorate is either to lazy or too apathetic to investigate, evaluate, and eliminate. Sad, but true.
Still not to the threshold to make me leave. But definitely above the threshold to motivate me to work for change.
Harris has prosecuted a couple of people on manslaughter in very obvious cases of self-defense where the state law is very clear.
I read a story last week about a woman who shot her abusive husband, got a 10 year sentence, served six months, and has been paroled for the next 9.5 years. I can't believe she was ever prosecuted or spent a day behind bars given the circumstances.
In the case of the fellow who shot the drunk tweaker at river parks a few years back, that was a gross miscarriage charging him in the first place. But people close to that situation have told me the shooter in that incident did not follow the advice of attorneys the NRA provided for him and that's why he took a plea.
The case is public information - if it is as you say post away. Go pull the file and get a transcript and scan and post. The conduct was out of line do doubt, but there is probably more/less to the story.
I have no real opinion on haqrris or this case...
Quote from: Breadburner on January 27, 2011, 06:38:46 AM
You should do your-self a favor and delete your previous post....
Not a good day for him. Could be a Thyroid imbalance.
Heir,
At least accelerate before you spin out. :D
And if Loughner had been drunk enough to forget to load his Glock, the same would apply?? Thyroid imbalance? Really?
Well, that is pretty much what I would expect from Bread. Gaspar surprises me a little, I must admit.
Wow! That must be the attitude the DA office used when cutting this deal.
Whatever became of the "hitman" that was going to get the D.A.?
Last I read the whole "plot" was just a pretext to photocopy some privileged client-attorney documents in a suspects jail cell.
THe DA didn't get smoked, the plot carried forward to include homicide detective Mike Huff, seach warrants and arrests were made last Thursday night. I don't know details on Harris' issue other than the crazy demands of 24 hour security paid for by TPD (why didn't the sheriff's office provide that, he is a COUNTY DA!!!) anyhoo, I DO know this was a VERY legit threat on Huff, from the same guys accused on Harris. They had a hitman and were pushing hard on him to pull the trigger. Not a good deal at all. I hope these guys are put away, far away for a long time. Their list of offenses seem to get longer and more voilent by the day. Remember one of these guys is responsible for the Please's (sp) homicide a few years back. That was a kill because their son testified. We are not talking about average thugs here. The reason they were after Huff was over one of their sisters was shot and killed by police in 2003 and they still believe Huff let the officer get away with murder (which was NOT the case)
That is off topic I know, but I really didn't want to continue my frustrations with the DAs office right after someone posted regarding a threat on his life . . . :o
Quote from: tulsa_fan on January 31, 2011, 08:57:34 AM
THe DA didn't get smoked, the plot carried forward to include homicide detective Mike Huff, seach warrants and arrests were made last Thursday night. I don't know details on Harris' issue other than the crazy demands of 24 hour security paid for by TPD (why didn't the sheriff's office provide that, he is a COUNTY DA!!!) anyhoo, I DO know this was a VERY legit threat on Huff, from the same guys accused on Harris. They had a hitman and were pushing hard on him to pull the trigger. Not a good deal at all.
KJRH reported that police gave the suspects a "smuggled" cell phone so they could monitor all their calls.
I would want to hear the unedited conversation posted online before I make the call either way, seeing as how they "cried wolf" before.
It should be public record.
Huff seems to be a really good guy. Went to school with a kid named Mike Huff. Wonder if he is the same one?
Anyway, instead of a "long, time", this kind of crime should rate capital punishment as far as I am concerned. For all three. Just my thoughts....
CF-2010-3382
11-17-2010 Enters guilty plea without recommendation from state.
1-24-2011 Withhold finding of guilt and defers judgment for 10 years.
Perhaps a relative in high places?
Quote from: patric on January 31, 2011, 11:43:07 AM
KJRH reported that police gave the suspects a "smuggled" cell phone so they could monitor all their calls.
I would want to hear the unedited conversation posted online before I make the call either way, seeing as how they "cried wolf" before.
It should be public record.
What "cried wolf" are you referring too? I don't know of too many murder plots against specific TPD officers, where an officer was named, and hit man hired . . .
Quote from: heironymouspasparagus on January 31, 2011, 01:32:00 PM
CF-2010-3382
11-17-2010 Enters guilty plea without recommendation from state.
1-24-2011 Withhold finding of guilt and defers judgment for 10 years.
Perhaps a relative in high places?
More likely a system which is over-crowded with drug addicts who would have been better served with a 90 day lock-down detox and treatment program instead of 10 years in prison. He might have also had a clean record prior to this incident.
Oklahoma now incarcerates more women than any other state on a per capita basis. Willing to bet the majority are user level drug charges.
Problem is Heironymous, everyone seems to have a differing view of what constitutes a continuing threat to society. The ex-con who kills someone gets Monday morning quarterbacked to death as someone who should have never been released when their only offenses before were drug-related or burglary.
At any rate, I suspect a lot of cells are being kept warm by people who would be better served with some sort of treatment while some criminals who should be locked up are released with a suspended sentence or parole.
As I mentioned earlier - Loughner. Maybe he would be better served by a treatment program given the observed level of mental problems for at least a year ahead of time. The logic being shown here in this thread would imply that Loughner just got unlucky because his Glock was loaded (as was this one), but the targets just didn't move out of the way fast enough. So maybe Giffords had some culpability in that??
So by your argument, Loughner might just not be a continuing threat to society. He was just unlucky enough that his gun happened to work when he pulled the trigger. He must just be mis-understood. Seems like I remember that he had a clean record before his event, too.
The drug involved in this case was alcohol.
And we are more excited about some stoner with a couple of joints - and putting them in prison - than we are a proven violent alcoholic with TWO guns! And for anyone who doesn't know the law, he is eligible to get his concealed carry back after about 6 months - if it was suspended at all. So next time he decides he needs to "clean up Dodge City", I certainly hope no one here is anywhere nearby. Next time he just might get the SKS loaded BEFORE he gets drunk!
Since no one has been killed - yet - I could understand a felony conviction and probation, especially if there was required treatment as probation condition. At least the law would require no further possession of or contact with a firearm. Upon penalty of further felony convictions, plus revocation of probation. But hey, that's just me - goofy old guy thinks the rule of law should mean something.
Just browsing through the talk, and there it is... a blind plea without a rec. from the state on a felony firearms charge and the result is a deferred. Friends, that ain't blind - it's a "peekaboo" and the state is in on the deal. Years in the biz. talkin' here. I'm not saying the result is unfair, 'cause I don't know the facts. But that result was a team effort.
Yep. That's pretty much what I was saying. There is a "good old boy" situation here.
Ethically, you cant be the prosecutor when you are also allegedly a victim.
Tulsa County First Assistant District Attorney Doug Drummond requested in December that then-state Attorney General Drew Edmondson appoint another prosecutor's office to assist law enforcement in the investigation of the alleged threats against Harris.
''In addition, should the case be prosecuted, I believe another office should handle the case," Drummond's written request states.
Harris said Tuesday that he will resist any effort to remove his office from continuing to prosecute the double-murder case.
Read more from this Tulsa World article at http://www.tulsaworld.com/webextra/content/2010/crimesite/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20110205_14_A17_CUTLIN914868
Basically the case was about a 25 year old man, who has no history of prior problems with the law, getting drunk and threatening someone with a firearm. I have no idea what prompted this reaction nor what constituted the threat. The Defendant plead guilty with no guarantee of his sentence.
The Judge sentenced this man to 10 years of probation.
Someone show me where the conspiracy is?
How long and how much should we have spent imprisoning this person?
Where is the undue undue influence of some unknown person?
Is the DA, prosecutor, and Judge all in on it?
Who are this kids big wig supporters? To me, it seems he is some broke dick Joe nobody - based on his public records.
Is this a "good deal" for a intoxicated firearms felony? Probably. Is it something so out of the norm that someone is "in on it"? No. If you looked through the felony dockets you'd see cases that seem odd. Screaming "conspiracy" at everyone without anything to go on is not helpful.
True, that. Ten years on paper, on good behavior and/or other rules, would be tough for a saint, rigorous for any "normal" person and impossible for the criminally inclined. So, this is no free ride. The irregularity, if any, seems to be (based upon a summary on this site and not on a review of the file) that a prosecutor who felt strongly enough about his or her case to file it as a felony - keeping in mind there may have been some appropriate included misdemeanors - then agreed to stand moot regarding a sentencing recommendation. If that is not an irregularity in Tulsa, then this case must by definition be "regular." I have found such pleas to be fairly rare in most jurisdictions, where even at a blind plea the government usually chimes in regarding punishment, there is no bargain presented to the judge, and the defense makes their pitch for justice and mercy. If there was a pre-sentence investigation I do not believe a recommendation would have been made on whether sentencing should be imposed or deferred, just whether the sentence should be cage or no cage.
Don't know what happened behind the scenes. Maybe nothing. Just seems very strange that with as many NON-violent offenders we have in this state (12,000 plus - http://www.oksenate.gov/news/press_releases/press_releases_2010/pr20100217f.html ), that we would give a pass to a confessed violent offender. I wonder how many of the 12,000 were first offenders? And there was a misdemeanor that was also plead guilty; Carrying a firearm while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Both types of crimes are discussed in the concealed carry classes (felony and misdemeanor), which he presumably took at one time, due to possession of a permit. Would you want this guy walking around your friends or family with a concealed S&W 40 caliber with 14 shells in the gun. And one in the chamber? And 8 beers?
I do know the family tried to contact the DA office several times - I listened while one call was made - and none of the assistant DA's would talk to the family of one of the victims, nor return a call. Anecdotal hearsay; I also heard that email(s) had also been sent and ignored. Other than that, who knows? Could this guy be related to a Tulsa attorney?
Anyway, here is the verbatim text of the arresting officer in the police report of the incident. Isn't it ironic how there is an expressed concern about a "drug deal" (none was actually going on) by someone who just admitted to drinking 8 beers? And music at 7:30 pm in August is not a problem - and wasn't very high, since the trigger pull was heard by both. (Spelling errors are probably mine.)
Officer report;
I was assigned to the listed address to investigate a pointing of a deadly weapon (firearm). Upon arrival I met the two victim's who stated their neighbor came outside his residence <....> with an AK-47 style rifle and pulled the slide back then pointed the firearm at them and pulled the trigger. Both victim's were sitting in their vehicle across the street from the suspect neighbor playing music on their car radio. There was no firing of that gun and only the sound of a click was heard when the trigger was pulled. The neighbor went back inside his residence and came out moments later with a silver pistol, cocking the slide back and pointing the handgun at them less than 100 feet away at the street. The suspect neighbor did not say anything to the victim's and he appeared to be drinking a beer.
Police arrived and brought the neighbor out of his house and the victim's identified the subject as the same person who point the long gun and the pistol at them. The suspect neighbor claimed he thought there was a drug deal going on in the street and wanted them to stop their activity. The suspect claimed he did not say anything to the subjects and denied having any gun with him. A "SKS" (AK-47 style) assault rifle and silver pistol were recovered from the neighbor's house and positively identified by the victim's as the same two guns the neighbor had used on them. The SKS assault rifle was located in the suspects bedroom closet against a wall, and the loaded and chambered S&W 40 caliber pistol was located on the top of the TV in the living room. The suspect admitted to consuming 8 beers prior to this incident. The suspect had red, bloodshot eyes, slurred, incoherent speech and officers detected an odor of alcohol on or about this person.
The suspect has an Oklahoma Concealed Carry Permit # 1545657 and it is requested that a copy of this report be sent to the OSBI office for further review.
Latest on the drunken attempt to kill two local teens - (but he was ordered to submit a letter from Laureate!!);
Good work Glassco and Harris!!
http://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/GetCaseInformation.asp?submitted=true&viewtype=caseGeneral&casemasterID=2353817&db=Tulsa