Looking back

Well, the UHAUL is loaded and it is time to head out. Farewell Evansville! While Evansville was not the city for me, there were things about it that I hope will be wherever I eventually settle down.

1. Diet Mountain Dew - I shouldn't drink soda at all but when I do, it is so nice to be able to order this at a restaurant. You couldn't do this in Cali and I am sure there are few other places that offer this.

2. Fireflies - so cool, even though up close they are ugly buggers!

3. Fall - the leaves changing colors were so beautiful even though it only lasted about three weeks.

Peace out!

So much trash!

As I try to pack up all my belongings for the move, I am getting rid of some stuff through donations to Goodwill and the dumpster. Say goodbye to all my old spices (yes, I had one from 2002!) and all the old clothes that do not fit. The hardest thing to toss was a small box containing the old cards, letters, and such from old boyfriends. I have held on to them for years (even decades) but decided that they don't really serve a purpose. Yes, every once in awhile I can look at them and remember that at one time I was loved (or liked a lot) but they also bring the reminder that things didn't work out: someone lied, we grew apart, it wasn't meant to be. As I took the mementos to the dumpster my heart was racing as if I was throwing away money! I tossed them and since the dumpster was smelly and gross I know there is no way I am going back after them! I guess this is final closure on the past as I move forward with my future.

And Justice for all????

I just finished watching an HBO documentary on the West Memphis Three - three boys from West Memphis, Arkansas convicted of murdering three eight year old boys in 1994. There is a lot of controversy on whether the WMT were actually guilty and if they received a fair trial. I had heard of the case before and netflixed the documentary so I could get some more information so I could make a decision on my own.

The documentary left me with a lot of questions and a very uneasy feeling that the court system may not have worked so I did some additional research on www.crimelibrary.com. I am not sure yet how I feel about this case but I know for certain that their trial was not conducted properly for the following reasons:

1. The WMT Jessie Misskelley confessed to the crime after a 12 interrogation of which only 50 or so minutes was taped by the police. Jessie was a minor and did not waive his Miranda rights (nor did his father). Jessie was also mentally disabled so I question whether he could fully grasp what he was confessing to. In the taped confession, Jessie changes the confession details as he receives more prompting from the police - he originally claimed the crime happened at 9am but after three redirects from the police he agrees it happened late at night! There are other inconsistencies within his "confession" but the judge allowed the confession to be administered (even with the violation of Miranda Rights) and the judge did not allow a defense expert to testify about the possible coercion that occurred by the police in order to obtain the supposed confession.

2. The police decided that the crime was satanic after discovering the bodies of the three murdered boys even though from my research there doesn't appear to be any satanic ritual items anywhere in the crime scene. The police knew of one boy in West Memphis they thought was a Satan worshipper so they decided to pursue him. Damien Echols liked Metallica, wore black, read wiccan books, and had some adjustment issues. For goodness sakes, that does not make you a murderer! I know lots of people who listen to Metallica and never hurt a soul. Same goes for the color of your clothes. I have read Wiccan books and once had a spell book. And finally, how many 18 year olds don't have adjustment issues especially given the tough home life it appears Damien may have had (he was diagnosed as manic depressive). From watching Damien's testimony at the trial and interviews with the documentary film crew, I can admit that he is a bit strange and seemed cocky during his testimony but that doesn't make a person guilty of murder.

3. There was no evidence! No blood evidence, no witnesses - nothing. There were some people who came forward (and some even testified) that they heard Damien admit to the murders and/or participate in satanic rituals but some of the people who testified later admitted that they made the story up! I think a case of perjury during your trial should warrant a retrial!

4. Beyond a question of doubt - There was a hair belonging to a black person located on the body of one of the murdered boys and the police received a report of a black man in a local eatery bleeding, disoriented, and muddy but the police did not follow up and blood samples that they collected from the restaurant a few days later were LOST! Also, the stepfather of one of the murdered boys gave the makers of the documentary a knife. The knife was used and had a small speck of blood in a crevice. When turned over to the police, they matched the blood to one of the victims. Why did he give them a used knife? The stepfather totally fit the murderer profile created by a profiling expert!

I know our court system is not perfect. I know that everyday the innocent are jailed and the guilty are set free (think OJ). It is our duty to ensure that the judicial system tries its best especially when we use the death penalty (a whole other post!); this is why we have created guidelines and accepted behaviors such as Miranda rights. I believe that this case was not handled properly and that the WMT deserve a retrial. I just hope after almost 5,000 days in jail, it isn't too late.

Too Funny!

When I was on vacation in California, my mom was telling me about her neighbor's kid and how he was a bit peculiar. Apparently the boy was wearing a shirt that said "Taking Back Sunday" and my mom asked him if the shirt was for football! Yeah, I know I could stop right here and be funny but it gets better so keep reading. The kid told my mom that the shirt was for church because his crazy church going classmate gave it to him. LOL! My poor mom - I had to explain that it was a band and had nothing to do with football or church!

Making progress

The packing experience is coming along swimmingly which is good since I move in less than 10 days. My bedroom, living room, and bathroom are all packed. Only the spare bedroom and the kitchen remain! These are the pictures of my new two bedroom apartment.