Friday, June 21, 2013

Just remember no matter how bad your divorce gets... At least you aren't this guy.

Ricin Letters TexasWe have all heard horror stories of a woman scorned and a nasty, nasty divorce.  But making ricin and trying to frame your estranged husband for trying to kill the president.  Um... Um...WHAT?

Check out this article in the Wichita Eagle.

A federal judge Thursday ordered a psychological exam for the Texas woman accused of sending ricin-laced letters to President Barack Obama and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg in an attempt to frame her estranged husband.  Shannon Richardson's court-appointed attorney, Tonda Curry, requested the exam, saying Richardson, 35, had displayed "a pattern of behavior" that raised the question about whether she could assist in her defense. Curry's wrote in a motion that her belief was based on a series of conversations with Richardson, who has been jailed since her June 7 arrest on a charge of sending a threatening communication to the president.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Caroline Craven's ruling means Richardson, who is six months pregnant, will be evaluated at a medical facility within the federal Bureau of Prisons, possibly within the next 30 days, to determine whether she can assist in her defense.  "She has never been inside a jail before, and that's a very, very harrowing experience, especially when you're older and pregnant," Curry said, elaborating on Richardson's mental state after a brief hearing Thursday. "She is suffering a lot of anxiety and panic attacks."  Curry filed the motion requesting the exam Thursday morning, just hours before a scheduled detention hearing. The detention issue was postponed until after Richardson's mental competency is determined.

Richardson, wearing an orange jump suit and with her hands shackled, did not speak during Thursday's hearing.  Richardson, an actress, has had minor roles on television and films under the name Shannon Guess. The government alleges she sent the ricin letters to the White House, Bloomberg and the mayor's gun-control group last month in an attempt to pin the crime on Nathan Richardson, the New Boston, Texas, man she married in October 2011.

Nathan Richardson filed for divorce on the day before his wife's arrest. He later told the Texarkana Gazette that he contemplated divorce last year but reconsidered when the relationship seemed to improve.  The marriage was at least Shannon Richardson's third, and she has five children ranging in age from 4 to 19 from other relationships, according to Nathan Richardson's attorney, John Delk.
Authorities have determined that the ricin letters, which threatened violence against gun-control advocates, were mailed from New Boston, about 150 miles northeast of Dallas, or nearby Texarkana and postmarked in Shreveport, La.

According to an FBI affidavit, Shannon Richardson first contacted authorities to implicate her husband in the scheme. But she failed a polygraph exam, and investigators found numerous inconsistencies in her story, the document alleges.  Richardson later admitted mailing the letters but maintained that her husband made her do it, according to the affidavit.  Speaking to reporters Thursday, Curry noted that her client has not been charged with sending a poisonous substance. If the government does file that charge against her, it will be strongly denied, Curry said.

"We are going to mount a vigorous defense on the ricin," Curry said.

The lead attorney for the government, Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Locker, declined comment, saying he doesn't discuss ongoing cases.

Read more here: http://www.kansas.com/2013/06/20/2856493/woman-accused-in-ricin-case-to.html#storylink=cpy

Friday, June 14, 2013

Motorcyle accident in Johnson County leaved Indiana man in hospital

Jason Barraw of Anderson Indiana was injured in a motorcycle accident on June 13, 2013.  According to the Kansas Highway Patrol the accident occurred around 6:00 p.m..  After investigating the accident the KHP has determined that a 1998 Dodge Pickup pulling a trailer with a Missouri license plate struck the victim as the Dodge changed lanes to avoid traffic.  Mr. Barraw was riding a 2003 Yamaha motorcycle that was damaged during the accident heavily.  Mr. Barraw was wearing a helmet and eye protection when he was hit.


The operator of the 1998 Dodge Truck is a 29 year old Cleveland man, Brady Walker.

Police Report available online for 30 days

When seriously injured in an accident like this you need to obtain an experienced personal injury lawyer to investigate the facts and determine whom is at fault.   If you or a loved one find themselves in need of an experienced personal injury lawyer please contact the attorneys of Copley Roth and Wilson LLC.  Our firm has extensive experience handling personal injury and wrongful death claims and is here to compassionately assist you in your time of need. If you, a loved one, or a family member has suffered the devastating , and oftentimes tragic consequences of a car accident, please do not hesitate to contact Copley Roth and Wilson, LLC (913-451-9500) to address any questions or concerns you may have.  The initial consultation(s) telephone and in person, are always free.

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Minnesota Man seriously injured after striking Cow in Roadway

A 24 year old Minnesota man was seriously injured in a Harrison County Missouri accident.  According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, and its investigating officer B.R. Hilliard, the victim of the accident Tyler Purtilo of South Haven was driving his 1998 Ford Contour on northbound interstate 35 when he made contact with a cow in the roadway. The contact caused his 1998 ford to leave the right side of the roadway and come to rest facing north.  Mr. Purtilo was seriously injured and was first transported by ambulance to Harrison County Community Hospital and then later to KU Med via life flight.  The investigation did not produce the owner of the Cow.

Police Report (Online for 30 Days)

When your loved one has been seriously injured or killed in an incident like this you need to obtain an experienced personal injury lawyer to investigate the facts and determine whom is at fault.   If you or a loved one find themselves in need of an experienced personal injury lawyer please contact the attorneys of Copley Roth and Wilson LLC.  Our firm has extensive experience handling personal injury and wrongful death claims and is here to compassionately assist you in your time of need. If you, a loved one, or a family member has suffered the devastating , and oftentimes tragic consequences of failed security, please do not hesitate to contact Copley Roth and Wilson, LLC (913-451-9500) to address any questions or concerns you may have.  The initial consultation(s) telephone and in person, are always free.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Fatal accident in Benton County involves Two Clinton Missouri residents

A serious accident in Benton County Missouri leaves the family of Kathy Wilson grieving.  According to the Missouri Highway Patrol investigating Officer Trooper D.C. Kissinger, the accident happened on June 11, 2013 at approximately 8 p.m.  The accident involved two vehicles, a 1999 Ford owned and operated by Timothy Brown of Clinton, and Ms. Wilson's 2003 BMW.  The accident happened on North Bound Missouri Highway just north of Bell Island Road.  The circumstances surrounding the accident are still under investigation but at this time the accident is thought to have occurred when the Ford operated by Mr. Brown crossed the center lane striking Ms. Wilson's vehicle.  The impact caused the 2003 BMW to travel off the right side of the road and hit a tree.  Mr. Brown's vehicle remained on the roadway.  This was the 20th death reported in 2013 out of Troop A.

Police Report Online (Only available for 30 days)

When your loved one has been seriously injured or killed in an incident like this you need to obtain an experienced personal injury lawyer to investigate the facts and determine whom is at fault.   If you or a loved one find themselves in need of an experienced personal injury lawyer please contact the attorneys of Copley Roth and Wilson LLC.  Our firm has extensive experience handling personal injury and wrongful death claims and is here to compassionately assist you in your time of need. If you, a loved one, or a family member has suffered the devastating , and oftentimes tragic consequences of failed security, please do not hesitate to contact Copley Roth and Wilson, LLC (913-451-9500) to address any questions or concerns you may have.  The initial consultation(s) telephone and in person, are always free.

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Kansas City Kansas Men enter plea on dogfighting case.

This is a follow up from our previous post.

http://blog.kcticketguy.com/2013/03/dog-fighting-ring-uncovered-in-kansas.html



KCK men enter guilty pleas in dogfighting case

By TONY RIZZO

The Kansas City Star
Two Kansas City, Kan., men pleaded guilty Wednesday to participating in a multi-state dogfighting ring.

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2013/06/05/4275019/kck-men-enter-guilty-pleas-in.html#storylink=cpy
Pete Davis Jr., 38, and Melvin Robinson, 42, each pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kan., to one count of transporting dogs to participate in animal fighting, according to federal prosecutors.

The charges carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 9.
Davis and Robinson was arrested in March after an investigation that began in November 2012 and culminated in a raid of a dogfight in Texas and the seizure of 77 dogs —mostly pit bulls — and six chickens.

According to court documents, the two men owned and trained dozens of dogs, which primarily were kenneled on property in Harrison County, Mo. They also discussed betting $20,000 to $30,000 on fights.

A treadmill for training dogs was erected at Robinson’s house in Kansas City, Kan., and chickens in cages were placed in front of the treadmill as bait, according to court documents. Fights were conducted at the Missouri farm, and investigators followed Davis and Robinson to a planned fight in Texas that was raided in March. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty To Animals helped in the investigation and agreed to house and care for the seized animals.

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2013/06/05/4275019/kck-men-enter-guilty-pleas-in.html#storylink=cpy

Friday, May 24, 2013

Tips for hiring a divorce lawyer in Johnson County

Came across this article in the Huffington Post.  Pretty good Advice.

By: Kate: Scharff

Imagine: You're sipping coffee, perusing the Sunday paper. Suddenly, you're jerked from your reverie by an ominous bang. You dash to the basement. Scalding water from your ruptured hot water heater rises around you. As your bare feet blister, you splash to your phone, Google frantically, then punch in the number of the first plumber you find who does emergency house calls. You don't check references. You don't care if the company is bonded. You can't even think. You just want it to stop -- now!

Facing separation and divorce is some version of this nightmare.

Whether you're leaving or being left, whether you've been planning the split for months or it hit like a bolt from the blue, life as you've known it is over. Even as your emotions ping pong like lottery balls, you'll have to make some big decisions -- starting with which lawyer you'll choose to represent you in discussions about two of the most important things in your life: your kids and your money.

Where to start?

Relax. You can do this. Here are some tips.

Tip #1
Breathe

You're under pressure. Maybe your wife has dumped your clothing in an angry heap on the guest room bed and left the real estate listings on the pillow. Perhaps your husband's attorney is flooding your inbox with nastygrams threatening litigation if you don't get counsel yesterday.  But guess what? This is a life crisis, but it's not an emergency.  Don't allow your spouse's bullying or your own anxiety to force you into any sudden moves. Choosing a divorce lawyer is one of the most important things you'll ever do. Researching options will pay huge financial and emotional dividends -- for the rest of your life.

Tip #2
Tell Your Greek Chorus to Quiet Down

Most of us naturally turn for advice to our nearest and dearest -- family, friends, colleagues. They all have opinions, war stories, and the name of a great lawyer. But they also have agendas. Your tennis partner -- still reeling from his wife's affair with her personal trainer -- will gladly produce the number of his gladiator. Your recently divorced friend who got "fleeced -- I'm telling you fleeced!" will eagerly refer you to her shark litigator.  While we all need support during this time, what your loved ones don't know can hurt you. Soak up all the emotional encouragement you can -- but do your own homework. Only you can know what kind of lawyer is right for you.

Tip #3
Take a Personal Inventory

Even in the early days when the very thought of your spouse elicits homicidal fantasies, ask yourself: Is an adversarial process going to serve you best? Try to think beyond today's pain and rage. Do you want to squander both your kids' college fund and any potential good will in a nasty negotiation or (worse) litigation?  Consider preserving your family's resources and the possibility of dancing with your ex at your daughter's wedding by choosing the most peaceful process that the two of you can agree on.

Tip #4
Educate yourself

There are many ways to get divorced. Very few couples (particularly those with short marriages, no kids, and simple finances) opt for the "kitchen table" approach -- they simply sit down together and work things out. But most couples need the support of divorce professionals. The "mainstream" processes (settlement negotiation, mediation, Collaborative Divorce, and litigation) differ from each other in a number of important ways. You need to get up to speed. Below I've listed some helpful websites. Just browse through them.  Remember: if you're a hammer, everything looks like a nail. If you're not sure which "type" of divorce would be best for you, interview attorneys with a full complement of tools in their toolbox.

Tip #5
Avoid a sales pitch

Attorneys have an ethical obligation to explain all legal process options. While many attorneys lean heavily toward certain ways of working (some, for example, prefer strategic negotiation over non-adversarial approaches), you're entitled to information about your full range of choices. If you're not getting good answers, go elsewhere.

Tip #6
Cheaper isn't always a bargain, and more expensive isn't always better

If finances are tight, a greener attorney might be a good choice. Many younger lawyers are well-trained, well-mentored, and, because they're typically less busy than their senior colleagues, may give your case a lot of attention. At the other end of the continuum are the famous Big Dogs with decades of experience and astronomic fees. If money isn't a concern, you don't have energy to research attorney's credentials, and national name recognition is important to you -- go for it. But know that these folks often offload big chunks of their work to other members of the firm. While that might be fine (even preferable), be sure to ask up front who will answer the phone when you call.

Tip #7
Choose a good listener

When you walk into a lawyer's office you'll be nervous -- you won't know what to expect. Before he or she launches into advice or starts strategizing, a good lawyer will take the time to put you at ease by listening carefully to your story, asking relevant questions, addressing your immediate concerns and offering emotional support.
Finally...

Tip #8
Trust your gut

Picking a divorce lawyer is like dating. If there's a voice in your head whispering "run," then run. You're getting out of bad relationship; don't jump into another one.