HALIFAX – New Glasgow will continue to mourn the death of Amber Kirwan with the construction of a monument on a local walking trail.
The design for the memorial was unveiled Thursday at its future site on the Sampson trail.
The 19-year-old disappeared in October and was found dead nearly a month later.
Chris Falconer was charged with first degree murder in the death of Amber.
Design for Amber Kirwan memorial unveiled in New Glasgow
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Sanford, Florida. George Zimmerman, the Neighborhood Watchman, charged with second degree murder in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin will not likely go to trial until 2013. A trial date should be set some time in October. Shellie Zimmerman, wife of George was charged with perjury and pled not guilty.
As I predicted, Mark O’Mara will go forward with a Stand Your Ground hearing which no doubt will take place just prior to G Zimmerman’s trial date. This will be a mini trial and, if George Zimmerman gets immunity, he will not have to stand trial on second degree murder. One other thing, the immunity will protect George from being charged in a civil trial for wrongful death. Since the defense was granted a continuance, things should quiet down with this case in a state of limbo, except for those who are seeking money or should that be justice?
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An Arizona judge has set a new trial date for Jodi Ann Arias, a California woman accused of brutally killing her ex-boyfriend.
Arias, a 31-year-old photographer from Yreka, Calif., is accused of killing her former lover, Travis Alexander. Barring any delays, the trial is due to start on Oct 17th. The death penalty is on the table.
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Carmen and Jorge Barahona are still in jail both charged with first degree murder in the heinous death of Nubia Barahona and if convicted may face the death penalty. I could not find a trial date but surely it will be sometime soon.
Nubia Barahona, Another Needless Murder
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If you have any cases that you would like me to follow, please feel free to link them here. I will be updating this post from time to time.~ Snoop
mainstreamfair 
It seems the state has passed over most of their discovery to the defense. The SYG mini trial will not take place until some time next year. I do not believe the defense will appeal Judge Lester’s decision not to step down but we shall see..
Zimmerman attorneys to ask for Stand Your Ground hearing
The state passed over more evidence to the defense but I think it is nothing substantial and no ‘smoking guns’… just odds and sods aka garbage.
Zimmerman’s defense attorney Mark O’Mara announced on his website Thursday that there will be a “Stand Your Ground” hearing based on his client’s claim he shot the unarmed teen in self-defense. A finding in Zimmerman’s favor would end the criminal case against him, as well as immunizing him from civil action.
“Now that the State has released the majority of their discovery, the defense asserts that there is clear support for a strong claim of self-defense. Consistent with this claim of self-defense, there will be a ‘Stand Your Ground’ hearing,” said O’Mara in a statement.
Read more here..
‘Stand Your Ground’ hearing could potentially clear Zimmerman in Trayvon Martin shooting
Now comes a question…. If Zimmerman wins his SYG and gets immunity, will Trayvon’s parents still be able to sue the Home Owners Assoc where Zimmerman was the neighborhood watchman who killed Trayvon in self-defense?
Special Prosecutor Angela Corey’s office today released 76 new pages of evidence in the George Zimmerman second-degree murder case, including dozens of pages of records the state did not intend to make public.
The new documents included a grainy photo depicting 17-year-old Trayvon Martin’s body, George Zimmerman’s school records, from high school and Seminole State College, and his application for the Seminole County sheriff’s Citizens Law Enforcement Academy.
The Orlando Sentinel is not publishing the photo of the teen’s body.
Among the new information revealed: Authorities found the teen’s blood on the bag of Skittles he had in his pocket. They also found a red lighter among his belongings.
Corey’s office released all of the documents, then retracted the majority, explaining that they were inadvertently released and were exempt from public disclosure. Prosecutors did not intend to distribute the photo of Trayvon’s body, nor Zimmerman educational records, a spokeswoman for Corey said.
The new evidence does not include any bombshells. Defense attorney Mark O’Mara received it yesterday.
The records show that contrary to what Zimmerman has said, he did not graduate from Seminole State College because he failed an astronomy class in the fall of 2011.
Those records also show that Zimmerman was placed on academic probation the summer of 2011 because his grade-point average dropped below 2.0, a C average.
He was pursuing an associates degree in criminal justice. In the fall of 2009, he got a C in “Evil Minds – Violent Predators.” He also earned a D in “Intro To Criminal Justice.”
Zimmerman was enrolled at Seminole State and was taking three courses at the time of Trayvon’s shooting, but school officials kicked him out, citing safety concerns.
New evidence: Photo of Trayvon Martin’s body, Zimmerman’s school records released
Angela Corey makes major faux pas. Now long will it be before a picture of Trayvon’s remains surfaces on the internet? Isn’t George Z’s school records to be kept confidential? I am not sure I understand some of the double standards taking place.
Prosecutor In George Zimmerman Case Accidentally Unleashes Sealed Evidence
Snoops, thanks for the update on many cases ! The proposed memorial to Amber Kirwan is so well done. Gorgeous and tasteful.
Newbie~~I followed that case but ended up shutting the post down because there were too many accusations being made against Amber’s boyfriend, Mason Campbell. Now I am hoping they will find out who murdered Laura Jessome, another Nova Scotian girl whose body was found floating in the Mira River inside a hockey bag. Our RCMP do not tell us very much while they investigate crimes. We find out when they make an arrest.
Newbie~~it is sad when I look through my Archives and find the cases that I followed and that did not get solved. I often think of Baby Lisa and her drunken mother. Then there is Michelle Parker and her mother will never give up looking for her. I could never figure out how Dale, the ex fiancée got custody of their two children. Too many cold cases ….Murderers are getting smarter. Laws should be enacted so they keep up with the changing times. The way it is now, you have to have too much evidence to hold and book a person.
Baby Lisa sure did drop out of the spot light. We’re somewhat like you all are…..don’t release much information until an arrest is made. With all that I have learned about Florida and their laws, I sure don’t want to even visit that State.
Newbie~~ there are no secrets in Florida with the Sunshine laws. Heck, they know who has a pimple on their butt. I wonder how the Freedom of Information came to be. Is it illegal to close your drapes in the Sunshine State?
Yoohooo…. Does anyone want to take a guess at what Mark O’Mara will announce on Monday? He has an announcement and news conference scheduled Monday, but his office would not provide details.
Do you think that he will announce that José Baez is going to join the defense team? That is one way to get some $$$$$’s …
If Zimmerman’s case goes to trial, Trayvon will be testifying from the grave. Once the 911 tape is played and the jurors hear those blood curdling screams, it will be game over for George. Those screams were those of a terrified Trayvon in his last moments on this earth.
Hi Snoops, I’m glad you included Nubia in your list of cases to follow. My heart breaks every time I think about how terribly the system failed that poor little girl..
As for GZ. I sincerely hope that common sense will prevail, and that all involved in interpreting the vague Florida SYG law will not ignore the fact that George Zimmerman orchestrated the situation that lead to Trayvon’s death.
Those who support GZ continue to refer to seventeen year old Trayvon with no substantial proof other than rumors and a few alleged photos and tweets as a “thug”. Meanwhile, by all indications from the discovery released and statements made in public by GZ, the 29 year old male they are standing behind is a well versed prevaricator who during his adult life has a documented history of violence, poor judgement, poor impulse control, a lack of personal responsibility/accountability, an inability to appropriatel express empathy, and a lack of respect for authority, the legal system and the rights of others. Hmmm.
Maybe MOM’s announcement Monday will be that Mason is joining the team !!!! Ooooo, Baez and Mason? Couldn’t resist ruffling your feathers Snoops.
Vicky, your description of GZ (last paragraph) is so on target. What concerns me somewhat is what GZ will do in the future if this is found to be a Stand Your Ground case (which I find hard to believe). GZ imo was motivated by the attention he and his wife received over reporting a burglary and he was seeking another high when he went after TM. Now, if it is found GM’s actions fit under the SyG law, is he going to be “patrolling” again and chasing down another victim? I know that is far fetched but what he has done up to this point is totally far fetched in my reality !!!
Nubia….heart breaker. Makes me wonder how much the staff has been cut due to “the budget”. If no staff cuts, how many positions have not been filled. imo Social Workers are over loaded and underpaid in most States. I am sure there would still be children the system fails yet the chances would be slimmer if budgets were not the priority instead of children being the priority.
Vicky ~~when I look at the pic of Nubia it breaks my heart to think of what she endured not only from her birth mother but those rotten bastards who gave her a foster home and then adopted her just to torture her. Sorry for my language but I get vicious when I think of what these scum bags did to her to satisfy their own sadistic pleasures. Why weren’t they screened? I understand that Nubia and her brother were offered a good home in Texas. I am shocked the brother survived.
As to Zimmerman, I cannot see O’Mara letting Judge Lester preside over a SYG mini trial. I realize a liar does not make a murderer but Z’s chances look pretty slim. Carrying a concealed weapon in the role of a neighborhood watchman is definitely is a strike against him.
When the state of Florida amended their SYG law in 2007, I believe, this is when they made a mockery of the law. You can be the aggressor, you do not have to retreat, if an altercation takes place and you fear for your life, you can shoot to kill.
Just make sure that you do shoot to kill so there is no one to testify against you. Great law huh? The few injuries Z ended up with ( none considered life threatening) will go in his favor.
I doubt if we will see a trial go forward, if the immunity is not granted, until 2014. If Z gets the immunity, the state will appeal. If Judge Lester stays on the case, the defense will appeal. If Z is found guilty at trial, the defense will appeal. I will say one thing. if Judge Lester grants the immunity to Z, he will be the one who will have to go into hiding. Maybe he and Z can find an old abandoned bunker to hole up in. This whole case is a no win …regardless.
Newbie~~How dare you? Cheney Mason stays put in my old fart bag. Period. lol
I am anxiously awaiting O’Mara’s announcement and presser on Monday. I often wonder if the donations are still pouring or trickling in. I haven’t been hanging around the water cooler too much lately. That is where I pick up quite a bit of gossip. I did hang out and read at a blog last night. The man who runs it has a lot of commenters…and he convinced me as to who was screaming.
Frederick Leatherman Law Blog
I would hope Judge Lester or any other judge would no be targeted by any group, no matter how he/she rules on this or any case. They are bound by the law, and/or their legal interpretation of it. We have appellate courts to settle disputes in the way a lower couture rules. That being said, Florida’s SYG leaves a lot of room for interpretation, and I am really curious as to how SYG will or won’t apply to George Zimmerman. What I do know, is that Florida is the only state where the legislation is so lax that the issue is debatable.
I agree with Newbie, if GZ is held harmless in this case, he and every other psycho carrying a gun in Florida will feel empowered to use SYG as a means to kill with anyone they view as undesirable. IMO, GZ poses a future threat to anyone he perceives as a threat. Especially given the fact that the first thing he did upon losing his gun was to go out and purchase another one. I don’t think he has learned anything from this experience other that how to raise money on the Internet using PayPal. I honestly fear for the citizens of any community he chooses to live in if he is given a pass for killing an unarmed teenager.
I have checked the Miami Herald on numerous occasions for updates on Nubia’s case. Fortunately, her little brother is now in Texas where both of them should have been to begin with. I only hope that her death will actually result in meaningful change in the child welfare system. Not only in Florida, but across the country.
That brings me to another potential topic for discussion, should you feel so inclined. Since you are a citizen of Canada, it might be interesting to discuss some of the similarities and differences in the child welfare systems and laws pertaining to juveniles, legal drinking age, etc. between our two countries. I have become quit interested in those issues given my new status as guardian of a teenager raised up to this point in Canada.
By the way, you will be sad to know that after having completed eighth grade, she was completely unaware that Canada has a Queen, until I pointed that out to her during a conversation about the differences in our forms of government. LOL
Vicky~~it would be your best bet to do a search for some of the answers to your questions. I would start by googling a particular province to see what the rules and regs are for that province.
Let’s just say that we have a Queen in name only. We have a Prime Minister in Ottawa and a Governor General. We respect the Monarchy and are a member of the Commonwealth but make and break our own laws. Getting our own flag, The Maple Leaf and doing away with The Union Jack was a start.
FYI~~
For those interested, Professor Leatherman put up a Friday Night Open Thread Discussion. I just found his blog a couple of nights ago… Leatherman’s credentials are very impressive.
New Thread Here
Professor Leatherman is quite a busy man. I was getting a bit bored with the Zimmerman case but the good Professor has peaked my interest once again. Here is another new post he just put up.
Zimmerman: Once Upon a Midnight Dreary While I Pondered Weak and Weary
I finally found you over at the professor’s blog. It appears to be a nice place to land from time to time. Very civil and a lot of interesting comments regarding the GZ case. However, I do think the conspiracy theory a bit far fetched. I for one find it hard to believe anyone with half a brain would have assisted GZ in such folly. Nope, I think GZ created this mess all by his lonesome. However, I do believe a lot of things were done wrong immediately following the shooting, and that is extremely unfortunate.
Vicky~~it is a great blog. I feel right at home there. I do not agree with the conspiracy theory either but it has crossed my mind that Taaffee may have alerted Z to a suspicous person. FT comes across as a racist. With only a bit of change in his pocket and no credit cards, was Z going to the store for a pkg of gum? Strange eh?
What we don’t know, is whether or not GZ had money in his car. Who knows, he might have had food stamps, so no need for cash. I wonder why he was never cited for not having his conceal carry permit on his person at the time of the shooting. That young man really seems to believe that rules do not apply to him. He doesn’t need to adhere to NHW rules, he doesn’t need to have passing grades to graduate from college, he doesn’t have to report found money to the Court, he doesn’t have to tell the truth during a bond hearing, he doesn’t have to carry his c/c permit, he doesn’t have to make any effort to avoid use of his firearm, he doesn’t have to tell the truth during about his criminal background…
One tidbit I read on the Leatherman Blog that was new to me is that he had worked as a bouncer. If that is the truth, and he was fired for “throwing a female patron”, then I am even more certain than ever that the sorry SOB lied about his confrontation with Trayvon. If he moonlighted in the past as a bouncer, I think it is safe to say that he was perfectly capable of defending himself without the use of a gun, had he chosen to do so. I think either it suddenly occurred to him that he had totally screwed up and was afraid Trayvon would have him charged with branishing a firearm thus ruining any chance he had with a future in LE or he was straight pissed off and shot him in anger after having a kid soundly kick his butt. Either way, the man is a liar and needs to spend many years behind bars.
Waiting to see what O’Mara’s announcement is. See me tapping my foot…..
Newbie ~~ I was busy today in the real most of the day… I am looking for a recap of O’Mara’s presser and hunting for the motion…
I just found this on O’Mara website…
Zimmerman Defense Files Petition for Writ of Prohibition
on 13 August 2012.
On July 13, the defense team filed a Verified Motion to Disqualify Trial Judge. Judge Lester responded on August 1 by issuing an Order Dismissing Defendant’s Verified Motion to Disqualify Trial Judge on the basis that it was legally insufficient. Today the defense team will file a Petition for Writ of Prohibition with the 5th District Court of Appeal.
Here is O’Mara video of the presser today
http://www.wftv.com/videos/news/raw-video-zimmermans-attorney-holds-news/vdM6X/
Ambers memorial is very elegant and sweet….Such a shame, so young.
I saw this tweet…uh-oh!~
stevehelling Zenaida Gonzalez, the woman suing #CaseyAnthony for defamation, was arrested for serving alcohol to someone under 21. apps.ocfl.net/bailbond/Defau…
2 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
http://www.facebook.com/#!/search/results.php?q=caitlin%20downing%20brain%20tumor&type=web&form=FBKBFA&wssk=FR4AS1&wssp=6&wspq=caitlin%20downing&wssc=7-15&wsbp=3-5 …………….. This is heartbreaking. Such a beautiful child
Deputies: Man calls 911 seven times asking for female deputy
“Officials said 32-year-old Joshua Basso kept requesting female deputies to respond to his residence for sexual gratification.”
http://www.wesh.com/news/central-florida/Deputies-Man-calls-911-seven-times-asking-for-female-deputy/-/11788162/16256916/-/jnnvbk/-/index.html
Only in Florida!
, , we may be able to see Baby Gabriel here http://www.kpho.com/category/239763/missing-gabriel-johnson