Crime Archives

As if the idea of releasing prisoners early made any sense in the first place, Gov. Quinn ends the early release program. What was a no-brainer to everyone else, became a firecracker in the hands of a man with a cigarette lighter.

Just a month or so after stating that these offenders could be released early with no harm to society, Quinn flips the script. Close to a dozen of the offenders have been arrested, which means that gainful employment wasn't awaiting them. What did Quinn expect? Grown incarcerated men to act as schoolboys?

It always seemed a bit odd to reward criminals for good behavior; but Illinois has been rewarding bad politicians for decades.

Ending the early release program was the right thing to do...but he shouldn't have endorsed it in the first place.

 

Just when you wanted to celebrate the holiday season, bad news gets to your doorstep, or email account, or Facebook page. Ron Holt, the father of murdered Chicago Public School student Blair Holt, has been the victim of a crued scheme to bilk people out of money, using his name, his accounts, and people's sympathy.

The illegal internet phishing scam consists of the following falsehoods told by Nigerian scam artists. Here's the scheme:

Scammers sent out emails stating that Ron Holt was in Nigeria, Africa, at a Bible conference. According to Mike Puccinelli at CBS2, Holt has never been to Africa. According to scammers, Holt was robbed of money and passport, unable to get back to the States. The schemers then asked his Facebook friends to send "Ron" a sum of $1,850 so he could return home.

Friends and relatives worried about Mr. Holt, so they called him. Whadda ya know? Ron Holt is in Chicago, safe and sound.

Phishing schemes and pigeon drops still work, because people want to help. It's a shame that Mr. Holt had to be the victim of this crime and I pray that there was no money sent to the scammers.

Merry Christmas to the scrooge artists who tried to take advantage of Ron Holt and his family. Beware the internet schemes everyone, and be careful where you click.

 

 

Garrard talks about terrorist suspects coming to Illinois. Check out the show.

 

My day was saddened when I heard the news of the president of the Chicago School Board. Michael Scott is no longer with us and the speculation on his last moments are rampant. As a business person, mayoral confidant, and school board president, Michael Scott's life was complicated, to say the least. See Tribune story on Michael Scott.

Trib photo: William DeShazer

The Tribune reported that "around 3:15 a.m. today, police found Scott's blue Cadillac parked next to a trash bin yards away from where he was discovered along the river, police say. The car was winched onto a tow truck about 6:30 a.m."

I will await more details on the death of Scott. My prayers are with his family as the mystery unfurls.

   

 

Gov. Quinn says we have to save money. And in so doing, he is releasing 62 non-violent offenders today and 1,000 over time. Will these non-violent offenders get out and wreak havoc? Or will they become reformed by early entry into half-way houses?

 

Let's hope that the program doesn't encourage anyone to return to criminal behavior upon release. But with 62 being released initially, and 1,000 eventually, those numbers hardly compare to the tens of thousands released each year.

 

I'm praying that Gov. Quinn has a clue on this one...but the operative question is:

 

Is an early release program worth the money it saves the state?

If a person has 15 prior convictions for driving on a suspended or revoked license, should the individual be in prison, on house arrest, or roaming freely? Tonight on GML, we will have the grandmother of Kim Brown on the show. Kim Brown, a mother of 5, and pregnant, was struck at a bus stop by a collision caused by an alleged motorist under the influence of cocaine.

Call me tonight at 877-358-CLTV. What are your thoughts on DUI?

Thank you for all of your letters of prayer and for the many condolences sent to my family. You make us feel appreciated and God's grace is shining in the midst of the tragedy. Thank you all from our hearts to yours. It is now time to continue my parents work: telling the truth -- without walls, borders, and fear.

Let's go!

GML returns to CLTV Wednesday, October 28 at 6 p.m. with a guest host filling in for Garrard.

 

Call in (877-358-CLTV) at 6 p.m. Wednesday with your comments and thoughts on violence in the Chicago area.

 

GML replays air nightly at 9:30 p.m.

Can positive loitering work? If you turn the lights on, the roaches, rodents, and centipedes will scatter. The same goes for drug pushers and ladies of the night who are trying to solicit their wares. It looks like north siders are gearing up to run the nefarious activity out by hanging out on corners to shew away the nonsense. Good idea or window service? Are gangs and prostitutes intimidated by a few residents carrying coffee cups?

I think so. Staking your claim is a matter of pride and determination, and these residents on Leland Avenue and Sheridan Road aren't going to let up. Here's the operative question: Why aren't there positive loiterers in the worse parts of the city? Are they waiting for another death, to plan the next vigil?

Call 877-358-CLTV tonight at 6:00 p.m. to voice your opinion on whether loitering is effective or just a show.

Victor Woods talks about his plan for Chicago Schools and anti-violence movements. Woods takes a pro-active approiach to keeping the peace.

 

On the heels of the Derrion Albert and Natasha Howliet murders, Chief Jody Weis joins Garrard to discuss the crime rate, gangs, and police intelligence on Garrard McClendon Live!

 

 

   

If you live on 130th street, that's a long walk (or bus ride) to Fenger. Check out the Tribune article. I would be upset too if I had to go to a school far away from my home. However, no excuses for a melee in front of the Agape Community Center - so much for love. 

What are your thoughts on The Ville, Altgeld Gardens, and Fenger High School? Is the closing of Carver as a conventional High School the culprit? Tribune reporter, Kristen Mack, shares her story with us, "Fenger kids tell why they fight."

Last week we had to endure the erasing of life. And this week, 3 people in Edgewater beat up a 14-year old, who is now in critical condition. Far south said last week. This week, the 3000 block of north Paulina gets the headline. See Tribune story.

Witnesses said there "was blood all over the street." There is something in the water peole are drinking for 2 beatings occuring in 1 week. Let's pray for the 14-year old clutching to his life, and for the family of Derrion Albert. Sleepless in Seattle, Beatings in Chicago.

 

Watch Garrard and filmmaker Messiah Equiano talk about Mayor Daley's emphasis on the Olympics over crime in the city.    

Garrard talks about the escape and capture of Robert Maday. Joining him are Dean Angelo (Public Safety professor)  and Victor Woods (author of "A Breed Apart: The Journey to Redemption).

   

Thank God Robert Maday was caught today. Escaping Thursday morning from 2 Cook County officers transporting him, Maday was on the loose, putting fear into the Chicago area. Solution: offenders should have GPS locators under their skin. Check out the police radio chatter.

Yeah, I know it sounds Orwellian, but Robert Maday would've been captured within an hour. He was on the loose, carjacking people, robbing the First American Bank (at Gary and Schick), boasting, "I'm the guy you saw on the news and I'm robbing this bank." John Dillinger, eat your heart out.

After his escape, schools had to be on lockdown - in fear of a Maday sighting. Thankfully U.S. Marshals caught him after a car accident at Illinois Rt. 59 and North Avenue in West Chicago. A waste of agents, officers, time, and money. A Global Positioning System would have decreased the stress.

GPS in human beings is right around the corner. I'll lobby for this so that we won't have another Robert Maday on the loose.

 

 

 

 

Rev. Ira Acree joins Garrard for details of the Chicago Police Department meeting with Rose Starnes, Yasmin's mother, and a ministers' alliance.

   

When Rev. Ira Acree was on GML months ago, he told CLTV viewers that the investigation of his relative's disappearance wasn't handled with care. He wants the case changed to be relabeled as a missing person's case. The family of Yasmine Acree may finally get some answers and an apology from the Chicago Police Department. Yasmine's family believes that police mishandle the investigation. See story of Yasmin Acree's disappearance.  

Superintendent Jody Weis said that officers' actions did not impact the investigation of Yasmine Acree's disappearance, however, internal affairs has determined that evidence wasn't handled properly. On the day of Yasmine's disappearance (Jan 16, 2008), a lock leading to a basement door was cut.  It was touched and moved by family members, but the lock wasn't put into police inventory until the next day. Is this the crucial evidence that may give clues to Yasmine's disappearance?

The search continues as Jody Weis has to re-group and be willing to turn every stone to find the whereabouts of Yasmine Acree.

 

Unreal. Perpetua is going to get back its cemetery from the county and overseer, Roman Szabelski today. See story.

Although they own the cemetery, they have been allowed to acquire it from the county through a filed bankruptcy. Steve Patterson, spokesperson for Sheriff Tom Dart, is upset and puzzled, just as I am. How could it be that the keys to Burr Oak cemetery are suddenly turned over to Perpetua? Aren't they responsible for the actions of the alleged culprits?

Relatives with desacrated graves in Burr Oak, should be at the gate waiting for Perpetua to move back in.

 

Advice to Perpetua: get some infrared sensors and night vision cameras, not for intruders, but for your employees.

Garrard has questions! The Country Club Hills police department has reported Chris Kelly's death as a suicide. How can they do this without a toxicology report? Professors Douglas Godfrey (Chicago Kent College of Law) and Dick Simpson (UIC Polictical Science Department) discuss the legal and political ties of Christopher Kelly and the link to Blagojevich.

   

Coach Glynn Hall asked God the question, "Lord, am I gonna die?" What he thought would be another innocent day of baseball coaching, turned into a nightmare of sportmanship gone bad, when his own player, Deangelo Williams, was reported to having shot Hall several times with a small firearm. See Annie Sweeney's article. 

What is happening to young men and sports? There had to be another "trigger" involved with the anger discharged by Williams before the shooting occurred. Getting taken out of game by your coach can cause disappointment, embarrassment, and a temporary sense of failure, but athletes bounce back. Hitters have slumps, fielders make errors, and pitchers get rocked. It has happened to all of us who have played the nerve wrenching game on the diamond. But to hurt your coach should be an absurdity. 

You chalk it up Deangelo. You learn lessons from your weaknesses, and you move on. On the pro level, Mark Beurhle's performance has been dismal since his perfect game. Ozzie has had to yank him numerous times this summer. But we never saw Buerhle taking a weapon out of his bag to have target practice on Ozzie.

Your greatest strength as a baseball player is self control. But Deangelo snapped. He was angered by something other than Glynn Hall's choice to remove him from the mound. Deangelo stood over his own coach and emptied a weapon.

Violence begats violence, but baseball should begat citizenship and the love of sport.

Deangelo, I feel for you man. Your actions have you in jail now, with attempted murder. If my change up or curve ball isn't working, I would hope that my temper wouldn't get away from me. We need men like Glynn Hall, who choose to make time to coach the game of baseball: a wonderful game of joy and discipline.

Three-fifths of a man. Marvin Reeves and Ronald Kitchen were cheated twice by the justice system. They had to spend 21 years in prison; and they only received $192,000 for their time, pain, suffering, humiliation, and loss of income. The state of Illinois should be ashamed of itself.

Marvin Reeves and Ronald Kitchen              Trib Photo:Abel Uribe

 Change the gender, color of skin, alter the socio-economics of family history, shift their place of birth, and these gentlemen would have received a minimum of $2.1 million. So why aren't they worth it?

Yes, of course. $100,000 per year in prison is a drop in the bucket, but $192,000 for 21 years - that's an insult.

They should get some placards that state, "I AM A MAN" because this is little league money.

Associated Press

I am asking viewers of Garrard McClendon Live and readers of my blog to start screaming for the injustice of wrongly accused people who have to serve, but aren't given adequate compensation for their time in prison.

Gov. Quinn, hook these brothers up with more money. Their potential over 21 years was just as good as the next man's.  Free at last? The state just gave Reeves and Kitchen a mule, but not 40 acres.

 

Guardian Angel, Michael Fuentes joins Garrard in a discussion on the Lincoln Park muggings. Carry concealed weapons or just watch your back and hope the G.A.s show up?

   

When you live in a bubble, expect a few cracks in the glass. I'm not surprised by the Lincoln Park crimes. I have empathy - but no surprise. Ruthless reptiles would think twice if we had conceal carry. If a victim fired back after being clocked by thieves, we probably would see far less wallets and cell phones taken on the north side. Lincoln Park ain't walkable, no mo' unless you lift the gun ban.

Police officers are doing their best, but if these assault robberies are random, related, or gang angled, we all need to be more careful, forming a cautionary strategy, also known as a 9mm.

Is this a news story on the south side or west side? Is this news because we assume low crime on the north, or news because people on the north side aren't careful?

Safety is relative. And now north siders are feeling the sting of what is commonplace in other neighborhoods. "This doesn't happen in our neighborhood!"  Yes crime does happen in your community - and as long as you play the naive card, expect to be trumped by fist to the jaw.

"We are one" regardless of block community affiliation. "We are one" because we live in or near the city. Martin Luther King, Jr. said it best "Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality."  

Lincoln Park residents: start looking around when walking the streets, take off your headphones, and draw your weapons. OK Corral will stop muggers before they get too close...so when your perpetrator approaches you, just draw and say "we are one" - but leave me alone.

Chicago cab drivers deserve respect. And so does the Buffalo cab driver that was allegedly accosted and meddled with by Patrick Kane and his cuz. Mediate with a beer, but wait until Patrick turns 21, or until he has some spare change. See Rob Manker article.

George Lutfallah of the Chicago Dispatcher, says that cab driving is dangerous. So he calls for a day of prayer. I agree. Having "stop the violence" rallies don't work. It takes more patience to have a peaceful way of protesting, bringing light to the issue of cab driver dangers.

Patrick Kane (see video) should be praying with the cabbies and Michael Vick should be at the humane society. Athletes have an uncanny way of getting in harms way, allegedly doing dumb things. But there is always an upside.

"Police say the cab driver was beaten because he did not have 20 cents in change to give Kane, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 draft and the NHL rookie of the year the following year. The 62-year-old cab driver, identified as Jan Radecki, said he was punched, grabbed by the throat and had his glasses broken."

Cab driving is dangerous and we must also tip the drivers well. Mr. Kane surely could have spared 20 cents or the whole $1.20 - afterall isn't he the NHL's golden boy? Hockey is a dangerous sport too, but the hockey programs at the United Center cost more than the tip Kane was unwilling to give. Somebody take Kane to etiquette class, or to a Beer Summit with Gates, Crowley, Radecki, Biden, and Obama. We can pray for cabbies after we're trashed.

 

Much ado about nothing. Sub 20s are impersonating police officers and stealing CTA radios. Major offenses - maybe. Did anyone get hurt? No.

Probation, psychological tests, and punishment that suits the serious nature of the crimes should be administered, but let's give the CTA hacker (walkie-talkie thief) and the cop-personator, jobs in tracking law enforcement and transportation deception. Some computer software companies hire hackers to thwart other hackers, creating a neutral playing field on viruses and security breaches. What's different with these youngsters?

Mischief is inevitable. We must expect it. So instead of just punishing the behavior - let's see if there is a way to capitalize on boys behaving badly. Imagine the cop impersonator designing a police academy training course on how to discover impersonators; or Marcel Carter teaching the CTA to add a 4-digit password to the radios every 60 days. Innocence of youth prevented anyone from being killed, but it's a good thing Al-Quaeda didn't get the radios or the police uniforms.

I fault the authorities on these incidents, not the kids. No harm, no foul. It's time to move on CTA and CPD. The situation could have been worse - so just hire the 14 year old and the 20 year old. They'll find the bad guys before you will.

Congress met with families and closure is still incomplete for hundreds of loved ones who have endured the Burr Oak Cemetery tragedy. Garrard talks with Perry Meyers from USpyStore.com on how to secure a cemetery with surveilllance cameras.

   

The Dirksen building was filled with families telling their stories to Congress about the heinous acts taking place at Burr Oak? Crimes at cemeteries can go unnoticed, so should the federal government intervene? Should we forgive those who disturb the dead for money?

With a human bone found at Mt. Glenwood Memorial Cemetery, disturbance of graves may be more common than we think. With a state task force put into play, a new cemetery overseer - Roman Szabelski - from the archdiocese, and Congressman Bobby Rush wanting the House to listen to families' stories, there may be new light shed on the darkness perpetrated by the alleged four. One of the four charged, Maurice Dailey, was released on bond by his wife for $20,000 (10% of the $200k bond).

His wife says that we should forgive...so is she admitting that her husband committed the act? Check out Garrard McClendon Live tonight as we discuss the feds involvement and forgiving cruelty in the grave yard - 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. only on CLTV.

 

 

Who was right? Prof or Po-Po?

Attorney, Jeffrey Cusic gives legal aspects of the Henry Louis Gates / Sgt. James Crowley incident. See clips from the show right here.

 

Which would you prefer? Jail time or a fine? If Cook County Board President Todd Stroger doesn't veto, unincorporated Cook County may have just fines for marijuana possession, instead of jail time. Is possession a crime, a minor offense, or a warning? See Commissioner Earlean Collins and Garrard sparring on the topic.

 

 

Wow! No jail time for marijuana possessors with less than 10 grams - in unincorporated Cook County. Aggressive, but this will free up the court system. A $200 fine on pot puts weed in the same category as speeding tickets. Guitar player, Carlos Santana hits the sustain pedal and calls for decriminalization and so does Commissioner Earlean Collins. See Santana's rationale below. He believes that an income tax on marijuana could pay for better school teachers and better government.

The Cook County Board is pushing for this to relieve jail strain, and to put cash in the county. Presdient Stroger may veto the measure, but if not, just carry 9.9 grams with you at all times. If you smoke in your home, no worries...if you smoke elsewhere, remember the 9.9 rule.

Dr. Alfred Tatum, joined Garrard in a discussion on the UPS shooting. Is violence a product of ignorance, illiteracy, or poverty? See Dr. Tatum's take on how books can de-throne guns.

   

UPS drivers should be safe at all times. Protected. Because "Brown" delivers packages to our homes and businesses on-time and with courtesy. But not in Englewood. A UPS delivery man was shot in the back while trying to deliver a package. So while "Brown" is trying to deliver snow globes in bad neighborhoods, idiots are plotting to gangster the packages by force.

UPS shooting in Englewood

What can Brown do for you? Well, they may be delivering to a nearby neighborhood that is safer. Or, make you pick up your packages from a UPS store instead of home delivery.

Here we go again. More speeches from the Mayor Daley, Rev. Jackson, Father Pfleger, and Ceasefire. I don't mind speeches, but unless we're serious about having troops patrol the south side, let's not waste the news camera crews on soundbites from violence conformers. Let's talk reformation and transformation.

When UPS drivers get shot in Chicago, you're much safer in Iraq or Afghanistan. While Brown's trying to do for us, we load up and try to rob Brown. It's sad when packages endanger a delivery person's life. Englewood, you owe UPS an apology and a safe haven for legal deliveries. 

I blogged earlier that Michelle Obama's father was buried in Burr Oak Cemetery - see earlier blog. First Lady Obama's communications director, Camille Johnston, has notified the press that Fraser Robinson III, is buried in nearby Lincoln Cemetery in Alsip.

Although the mis-speak saturated the web, Johnston quickly retracted the statement, and we're notifying everyone on ChicagoNow.com.

We appreciate your patience with Garrard McClendon Live. I also forgive Camille Johnston for an honest mistake. The cemeteries are in proximity to one another.

 

 

Updated! ATTN: The White House has retracted the statement.  Camille Johnston (first lady Obama's communications director) has corrected her initial statement by stating that Fraser Robinson, III, is actually buried in Lincoln Cemetery, also in Alsip. 

You bet your bottom dollar that the FBI, Cook County Sheriff's office, and Perpetua Holdings will work tirelessly in light of Michelle Obama's father (Fraser Robinson III) being laid to rest in Burr Oak Cemetery in 1991. The tragedy has created pain for family members having loved ones' graves desecrated.

The Robinsons - Craig (far L), Fraser Robinson III (holding Craig), Michelle (Obama) being held by mother, Marian Robinson

The first lady's communications director told reporters that Mr. Robinson was interred there. With a presidential angle added to the horror story, officials will probably be more aggressive with the investigation and with the questioning of all who may have been involved. Carolyn Towns, Keith Nicks, Terrence Nicks, and Maurice Dailey, have been charged with a Class-X felony - dismembering a human being.

Burr Oak Cemetery, known for having African American luminaries buried there, now has a the president and first lady Obama in the news.

Dinah Washington, Ezzard Charles, and Emmett Till have also been interred at the cemetery.

Legend has it that John Dillinger carved a wooden gun, brandished it, and escaped from the county jail in Crown Point, Indiana. The film Public Enemies, starring Johnny Depp, is doing a terrific job at the box office, but it looks like Indiana has failed again by not keeping inmates on lock-down.

According to the Chicago Tribune, authorities believe the three inmates escaped Sunday from the maximum-security prison in Michigan City through underground tunnels and pipe chases. Charles Smith escaped Michigan City, Indiana's maximum security prison, but was captured near Daley's summer home, while Lance Battreal (a convicted rapist) and Mark Booher (a convicted murderer), are still at large.

This is not cute at all...knowing that a rapist and murderer are in our midst. What kind of surveillance system do they at Michigan City? First it was wooden guns; now it's tunnels and pipes. If you see the guy in the middle and the one on the right, please call 911. Public Enemies are on the loose thanks to Indiana.

The search begins as FBI scope non-crime scene areas and more potential remains. Click below for the nightmare in Alsip.

  

How could 4 people do such damage? This past weekend I had over 55 V-Line calls from families wanting information on whether their loved ones graves were desecrated. I called many of them back, offering them comfort, the Sheriff and FBI phone number, and any other information I could give to ease the pain of a despicable crime. Photo gallery.

Tribune reporters, Kristen Schorsch, Jane Fritsch, and Kim Janssen have reported the following. Authorities are mapping the cemetery today, while FBI forensics experts are visually searching the cemetery to declare sections of the land as non-crime scenes as well as crime scenes. Authorities are trying to identify more than 100,000 graves.

I'm still trying to comprehend how 4 people could carry out the violent, insensitive, and gruesome task of unearthing remains with a backhoe and a dump truck. Maybe Rev. Jackson was right. Maybe the culprits do deserve a special place in hell for this crime.

The Burr Oak Cemetery crisis is at hand as Monica Gray and Garrard take viewer calls concerning 4 people charged with the heinous crime.    

In case you missed it last night on GML, Chicagoland residents spoke out about the Burr Oak Cemetery scheme. Listen and then tell us your thoughts. Are you outraged at this crime?

 

 

 

 

What are your thoughts about this story? Leave your comments and we'll read it on the air. You can watch Garrard McClendon Live on CLTV at 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Not even the dead can rest as greed infiltrates grave diggers who re-sold plots for cash. How could over 100 bodies be thrown in a makeshift grave at a supervised cemetery? Regina Waldroup and Jae Miller reported on the story which left family members in distress and disbelief.

 

Somebody at Burr Oak is in trouble...$300,000 between 5 workers who may have split the profits to make more appealing grave plots available? Sheriff Tom Dart is furious at the actions, telling reporters that this is beyond heinous. He states, "to disinter with a back hoe has upset a lot of people around here."

Of the many ways to make money in a capitalist society, a group of misfits decides to illegally exhume bodies for profit. This crime should be punishable by at least 15 years in prison and I hope the charges are endless. We will discuss the case of the Burr Oak body snatchers tonight on Garrard McClendon Live at 6:30 pm and 9:30 pm on CLTV. Call the LIVE line at 630-575-TALK or leave messages on the VLINE at 630-574-3232.

 

Damaged plot at Burr Oak Cemetery / Photo: David Pierini

 

Tionda Bradley

July of 2001 was a bad month and year for the relatives of Tionda and Diamond Bradley. The two girls vanished on July 6 - with no evidence of foul play from the family. With a reward of $30,000 for their whereabouts (much too low in my judgment), I'm puzzled at the disappearance of two girls.

With teenagers who come up missing, there is always the possibility of run away. But with pre-teens, my concern is supervision. Why were the girls left unattended?

Diamond Bradley

Tonight on Garrard McClendon Live on CLTV, we ask this question and many others as we try to get to the truth in this missing persons case.

 

Call me at 630-575-TALK at 6:30 p.m tonight or call the VLINE now to voice your opinion at 630-574-3232.

When a superstar dies, other tragic news stories take a back seat. Let's not forget about Chastity Turner who lost her life during a drive-by shooting in Englewood. She was washing the family pets when shots rang out, killing her and injuring her father and two of his friends.

Jada Justice has been missing for over a week and a child's body was found east of Hwy 421 in LaPorte County, Indiana. The coroner states that they believe the body is Jada Justice.

Tragedies are gutwrenching - and we don't want to gloss over the losses occurring in not-so-famous families. Michael Jackson's untimely death is significant. But getting cut down while cleaning your pet is utterly inhumane.

So Jada and Chastity, we are remembering you today - as adults still remain clueless when it comes to keeping children safe. We have failed you and may your blood cry out for justice, in this not-so-nice world.

If your daughter was killed while washing the family pet, would you cooperate with authorities concerning the suspects? Chastity Turner has died, and the apparent targeted drive-by, hit the intended targets. Could the father and his friends have been targets?

On tonight's Garrard McClendon Live, we ask our viewers if they would be courageous enough to eyewitness the suspects, or just lay low and mourn the death of a daughter. Tune into CLTV and call 630-575-TALK tonight at 6:30 p.m., as we talk about "Fam v. Family" and if gang affiliation is thicker than blood relatives.

A few years back, I took my father to a golf course to see Eldrick "Tiger" Woods. It was a humid, overcast day at Cog Hill, but following Tiger from hole to hole was exhilarating. What I found puzzling was the kind of conversations that flitter in the air, at golf courses.

Besides admiring Woods' and Mickelson's swings, men talk about women, stocks, children, taxes, jobs, wives, girlfriends, and strip joints, giving me a clear indication of how testosterone pretty much rules our psyche. But as the 18 holes progressed, the question, "who is your lawyer?" began to surface.

A man needs a good lawyer - and so does a woman (don't bust me for sexism). But does the word "good lawyer" mean someone who is skilled and knowledgeable of the law, or an Ivy leaguer who golfs with the prominent judges? Can lawyers fraternize with judges? Should they?

When it comes to Chicago police, the lawyers clearly golf with the judges - there is no way Mr. Abbate should get a 'kiddie land' sentence like that. Sure he's a felon now, and he loses his job, but curfew and cookies, community service and anger management class?

If I need a "good lawyer," I will ask in prerequisite tones, who do you golf with on a regular basis? If the lawyer doesn't mention any judges, I'll say, "Next!"

Below, see a clip from Garrard McClendon Live. Anthony Abbate's lawyer makes it seem as if Karolina Obrycka was the oppressor, the bully, the hammer.

Peter Hickey is either a "good lawyer" or he he belongs to some nice country clubs, with judges just waiting to complete a foursome. Abbate should be in jail, Judge John Fleming! or is 18-holes just that "good?"

 

A lot of my viewers are angry and disappointed with Judge John Flemming's sentence for convicted Chicago Police Officer Anthony Abbate.  Flemming gave Abbate two years probation for beating Karolina Obrycka in February of 2007. 

Judge Flemming said he did not believe that a term of imprisonment was appropriate.  But  GML callers and Patricia Hill, from the African American Police League, disagree with his honor.  Watch the feedback I got on the show.

Remember to watch Garrard McClendon Live every night at 6:30 p.m. on CLTV to discuss the hot news stories of the day. Take part in the discussion by calling (630) 575-TALK and by calling my VLINE at                (630) 574-3232        

Michael Tercha (Tribune) and AP Photo

Who needs women's suffrage when you can still beat up a female bartender, and get away with it. Probation for Anthony Abbate. Just a few scars and a permanent distrust of police officers for Karolina Obrycka: you have the right to remain beaten. See story. 

This is basically a lynching in YouTube daylight as a Chicago cop receives a slap on the wrist for being a naughty boy. "Hey, he was intoxicated; his punches couldn't have done much damage. She should have given him another drink, to avoid her beating."

 

In our quest for civilization, humans have failed again. We wouldn't leave our purses or wallets in full view. So why would we leave a baby in the car?

My wife always busts my chops for not locking my doors, not putting the alarm on, and losing my wallet, but when it comes to taking care of children - I'm a pit bull. Children need hyper-supervision, especially when in shopping malls, grocery stores, and in automobiles at gas stations.

Baby Jada Justice is still missing and hopefully we'll get some concrete answers soon.

Help us find two-year old Jada Justice. She was said to have been missing since Tuesday night at 9:30 p.m. from a convenience store near east Ridge Road and Louisiana Street in Gary, Indiana. She is 2 feet 3 inches tall, weighing between 35-50 pounds. See story below and call Hobart police (219-942-1125) or Gary Police at (219-881-1260) if you know of her whereabouts or have any leads.

Jada Justice story.

Can a bad economy cause a rise in hate crimes?  First, the Holocaust Museum shooting, then anti-semitic remarks and actions against the Horstman family in Winnetka. Joshua Judkins being set on fire in Hammond? Do you crave the adrenalin rush of releasing frustrations out on the religion or ethnicity of your neighbors?

Don't touch me, don't whistle, and don't try to rub my shoulders.

It's about time someone stepped up to defend women on the CTA. It must be terrible to have an anonymous hand on your rear while traveling 'ever so cramped' on a bus or train. Cowards and perverts are going to get their due from a group called the Rogers Park Young Women's Action Team. Determined to shut down unsolicited advances from men are Daphnee Renee, Lillian Mutumni, and Ronette Lockett. They are tired of men thinking that they can say and do anything they want while traveling on CTA vehicles.

To all men who have tried to touch a woman on the CTA ...don't try it. It's disrepectful and tacky. If you wish to ogle, go to Hooter's...if you wish to touch, get a wife.

When does a compliment or a shoulder nudge go too far? Should more women report "so-called" incidental brushes and touches?

I'm not happy at all to say that I know families that have been affected by heinous crimes: burglary, assault, battery, rape, and embezzlement. But what's the deal on murderers getting sentenced to a "few" years, and even "fewer" years with "good behavior? See Trib story.

Fox DC

Get a life. When an 88-year old hate group activist sets out to harm innocent museum visitors and security officers, I question whether we're in the land of the free. Hate group participants should be charged with and tried for treason. How disloyal can you be to your sovereign nation, than to kill innocent Americans? Wiki on "treason."

James von Brunn should be tried for more than just murder. I would allege, he is a traitor, a  terrorist, a hate monger. I feel nothing for von Brunn. He had a deliberate plan to take lives at the Holocaust Museum, and he succeeded by allegedly killing Stephen Johns. Innocent American, not killed by Al-Quaeda or the Taliban. But by a person with the mental pre-occupation of Klan rule and Jewish and African American annihilation.

Did you miss it? Garrard McClendon and Victor Woods discuss 49 homicides occurring in Chicago during the month of May. Can calling a truce be the answer?

Complex.com

Referring to the Chicago murder rate, the poet Kanye Omari West stated it perfectly in his song "Everything I Am."

Michael Tercha's Tribune photo shows the gravity of an officer sacrificing his life. Tribune reporters, Angela Rozas, Lauren R. Harrison and Christopher Latham, report on Alejandro Valadez's brave acts as he fought for his life for 14 hours after the shooting.

Mike Langhurst, above, and Jon Kieschnick of W.G.N. Flag & Decorating Co. hang bunting in honor of slain Officer Alejandro "Alex" Valadez over the main entrance to Police Headquarters at Michigan Avenue and 35th Street.

See funeral and family visitation arrangements in Tonya Francisco's report.

Rat tat tat tat - Those of you familiar with the classic Dr. Dre breakout album, The Chronic, should be familiar with this phrase and this song. If not, seek the Urban Dictionary definition.

The phrase is onamatopoeia for automatic weapons being shot in the streets. Sadly, this is common and in Chicago, the lyrics imitate life.

"Rat tat tat tat, tat tat tat like that, neva hesitate to put a "Ni%^&" on his back."

It is no mystery that 500 people are killed in Chicago each year. Unemployment, desperation, urban warfare, glorification of illegal trade - and a thriving rap music industry with inexpensive production costs, and heavy distribution channels to suburban kids who fantasize about a trip to Englewood or Compton with a '64 Impala on Crenshaw. Creative songs are one thing, but officer Alex Valadez's death is real.

Snoop later in the song exclaims, "So quit the chit chat for you find yoself flat on yo bizzack. Trick buster just like a punk a** kizzop."

Snoop and Dre aren't hardened criminals - they are producers who live in nice houses, in a galaxy far, far away - from da' hood. The joke is that they have created a living by developing an image of an image. A facsimile of a portrayal. Yeah right, "Rat tat tat tat, tat tat tat like that, neva hesitate to put a "Ni%^&" on his back."  Dre doesn't even consider himself a "Ni%*&." Go figure.

If I'm not wearing a suit, I fit the stereotype of just another trifling Black man who may be a criminal. So why am I not surprised when the suspects of most of this past weekends crimes are Black? Because it is a sign of the times - in Austin, Englewood, Roseland, Gary, B-More, St. Lunatics, and Compton. Black folks killing people, with little to no remorse.

I know it's hard out here for African Americans. Our unemployment numbers are ridiculous, educational attainment is low, expectations are grim, gang affiliation and incarceration are badges of honor. But will "so-called" African Americans ever get over the straight jackets of oppression, depression, and suppression? The suspects, Shawn Gaston and Kevin Walker, have been charged with the murder of officer Alejandro "Alex" Valadez. Damn, the suspects just had to be "bruthas."

Photo: Michael Tercha - Chicago Tribune

The summer isn't even officially here as shootings showered Chicago like fireworks this weekend. Several people have been killed  including a Chicago police officer.

Sadly, the victims' Justin Grover 26, Randall Ewing 34, Demetrius Tyson 32, Marcelino Rivers 26, Shannon Wilson 28, and Demond Stansbury 30, are all under 35. A 27-year-old Chicago police officer was shot as well - Alejandro Valadez, died Monday afternoon.

Alex Arrellano was run over, beaten, burned, and shot. How could there be just one person charged in this crime? The alleged killer, Jovanny Martinez, 15, must cooperate with authorities if indeed he acted with others to take the life of Arellano. Let the questions begin. See article.

Whenever we lose someone to murder, we face the human tragedy of a life being taken. Paradise Lost still resonates in our society, as the fall of man clouds our daily existence in Chicago. 500 homicides per year is our comfort zone. When will the outrage errupt?

Stephanie Dowell - Post Tribune

Beware of funeral homes being sold to churches for cheap prices in a tax sale. Your congregation may be in for a surprise. Gary, Indiana, has plenty of abandoned buildings, but some aren't totally vacant.

Nancy Stone: Chicago Tribune

It's difficult running a police department. Just ask Superintendent Jody Weis. Morale is in question as a CPD / UIC online survey for police officers has been administered to the force. Could this be the turning point to morale challenges among the ranks?

I am a beliver that measurable data can detect perceptions, expectations, and more acute phenomena that may be assumed and implied. Maintaining anonymity is crucial and this online survey can do that.  The Chicago Police Department is brave in its decision to ask officers questions about morale. Do officers feel that they're underpaid, overworked, not represented by superiors, or ignored by Super Wies?

An asset to the proposal is the FOP's assistance in drafting the survey. One problematic issue is the FOP's lack of endorsement, because the union wasn't allowed to collect the surveys. In university research, the participants aren't allowed to collect the data - this could obviously be tainted. I do hope that the CPD realizes that self-collection could skew the research and invalidate the entire study. Does the CPD want a true assessment or a manipulated outcome? Morale is the ignored-dancing-pink-polka-dotted elephant in the room. We can only hope that the survey results produce awareness, and not just gripes.

 

AP Photo

This is a symbol for the United States of America. Should we fly it upside down? Father Pfleger says "Yes" because we're in distress.

Murders in Chicago are as common as another day on the calendar, but St. Sabina's priest / pastor says that murder shouldn't be the case all the time. He's right! Our babies are dying.

Just a quick question - would the circumstances get more press coverage if the offenses were hate crimes? If suburban deaths dominated the news - would we ask for greater police and national assistance? Father Pfleger and Phillip Jackson from Black Star Project, are just trying to garner the attention for children being murdered in the streets. Their cause is the moral thing to do and the flag should be flown upside down. At least it's making us pay attention.

Crimefilenews

It's about time they arrested the rabbit from Alice in Wonderland. State police aggressively took off his shades, handcuffed him, and apprehended him for the murder of his third wife, Kathleen Savio. See Tribune story.

Drew Peterson has been parading around us with tremendous arrogance and his most puzzling trait is his strong resistance to looking for his fourth wife, Stacy Peterson. He thinks that Stacy has run away with another lover, but his concern for her is empty.

Drew Peterson and Rod Blagojevich have shamed Illinois. Trying to get TV and book publishing  deals, gracing network and cable TV with their media grubbing interviews, and denying everything accept their big hair. The judge denied Blagojevich his chance to do a TV show in Costa Rica and I am in extended prayer for judges to keep bond high enough to keep Drew in jail. He was seeking a TV deal in Nevada to do a show about a brothel entitled "Cathouse." Shame has no rock bottom for Drew and Rod.

Stay tuned for more antics, some Brodsky moments, and Drew behind bars. DNA, testimony, and hubris in his denial may all lead to his remaining life - behind bars.