Baby!!!! Baylor beats OU

Corso F Bomb On ESPN College Game Day

The funniest part is Kirk Herbstreit's reaction.

Taking You Into The Weekend

Video Game "NCAA Football 12" Must Have Been Psychic

Description of game when Penn State comes to town. Game was released in the summer but that caption has apparently been there for years. Source.

When I Lose, I Admit That I Lose

The DWI trial just ended in a guilty verdict, and it didn't take long. I feel like I'm the only one shocked.

Basic facts: It all starts at a convenience store in Boyd around 1:00 a.m.   My client buys a coke and cigarette and, as she leaves, the clerk turns to three cops standing around and says,  "Did you smell alcohol?".  (The clerk will testify that it was just an observation and "never thought she would end up being arrested." She said it was the perfume that got her attention with an underlying scent of alcohol.)  A Boyd cop follows her for about a half of a mile and stops her for speeding (36 in a 20.)  There were multiple turns with no traffic violations along the way.

The toughest part for me (post verdict) are the field sobriety tests. She did fantastic.  Although the officer detected some clues and thought he had probable cause for an arrest, the prosecutor would have to concede that the jury could not convict based solely on the tape.  It was that good. The State's expert in breath testing, amazingly, said she performed "very well."

At the Sheriff's office, she agreed to provide a sample of her breath and the results of the two tests were .203 and .202.   (The legal limit is. 08). That makes no sense to me. I've seen hundreds of videos of field sobriety tests, and compared them to the breath test results. She should have been hammered on the video. Note: This is a DWI-First with no criminal history whatsoever for a middle-aged woman.

I pointed out through testimony every known flaw the breath test machine has and the case boiled down to this: Do you believe your eyes or do you believe the machine? (Here's my stream of consciousness closing argument notes that I typed out.)  The jury believed the machine. Quickly. They didn't even deliberate 30 minutes.

I'm always a pessimist down deep while I wait for a jury's verdict. But somehow I fully expected a "not guilty" verdict on this one.  Maybe I was the only one.  But if there was ever a chance to beat a high breath test, this was the case.  Great video. Good jury (five men/one woman). Presentable and well spoken client. And technical malfunctions in the courtroom  throughout the trial that I couldn't have scripted when asserting a "don't trust technology" defense.

And now I'll second guess myself.

Edit: Hey, don't bag on the jury.  They paid attention, and they ultimately get to set their own standard of "reasonable doubt."  Jury trials are always the ultimate crapshoot.

Edit: And I won't post personal criticisms of my client. Couch it in terms of general observations and I'll let it go. I am, as always, fair game.

Random Friday Morning Thoughts

• As mentioned below, my laptop died.  I was working last night with a yellow pad and a pen which caused a huge question mark to form over the head of the Third Grader In The House.
• They are re-opening the investigation of the death of Natalie Wood?  I smell some law enforcement officials who wants to be on TV.
• I heard a conversation on the radio this morning about how DFW neighborhoods are becoming increasingly rundown. One caller said a bunch of the "Pitbull element" moved into his area. The host told the audience that that wasn't a reference to race. I'm not sure the host knows who Pitbull is.
• This month's Texas Monthly has a feature of The 40 Best Breakfast Places. The thought of starting out my day bloated after a big meal has never been appealing to me.
• This morning news broke of two Oklahoma State women's basketball coaches dying in a plane crash while on a recruiting trip. In 2001, a plane crash took the lives of 10 men who were associated with Oklahoma State's men's team. 
• Buried in the Dallas Morning News: "A 14-year-old boy with spina bifida used a 'mechanics creeper' to get around the Bridgeport Health Care Center in Wise County." (Link with picture.)
• The war with the Neighbor Boys behind the Family Household has been in a truce for months now.  Oddly, the entire family disappears for the entire summer which probably has something to do with it. 
• Urination and Black Friday in Denton? Don't ask.
• TCU raises it's annual tuition to $34,500. (Callback Side note: I wonder if that "Graham Cracker" guy won the student body election?)
• I'm excited about college football tomorrow and the fact that both Baylor's basketball teams are ranked. You know what my house is excited about?: Twilight.
• Back to trial. Back to brain exhaustion.

Brought Back Some Childhood Memories

Fight! Fight!

There was a fight at Bridgeport High School today that sent one to the hospital. Anyone?

(No names, please)

Trial Update

• Closing arguments tomorrow
• Right before Opening Statement, a power surge completely fried the prosecutor's laptop.
• In the middle of cross-examination of the State's breath test technical supervisor, a surge completely fried my computer and caused electrical smoke to visibly rise.
• Try to stay focused when that happens. 
• This is a breath test case with the results of .202 and .203.
• I'm trying it because those results can't be true. And that's what I told the jury in opening statements (which, is technically an "argument", but don't worry about that.)

More tomorrow. I'll turn the comments off for obvious reasons. 

I Need To Watch More Network TV

Some gal from I'm In The Jungle And Famous So Get Me Out Of Here.

(Autoposted when I'm not even close to the Internet.)

There's Another "No Body" Murder Case In Denton Going On

With the same prosecutor, even. At least this time there's evidence someone was killed.

Random Thursday Morning Thoughts

• Had some new friends of One Of The Kid in the House over last night who I had never seen before. I'm not sure, but I was getting this weird "trouble maker" vibe. I had this weird alarm go off inside me.
• The U.S. Postal System might actually go out of business.
• After 9/11, when American Airlines stock went under $5 a share on fear of bankruptcy, I bought 100 shares. After that it went to over $40 a share. Now it's back to $1.82.  I still own all 100 shares. 
• My commitment factor my need to be throttled back in some areas. 
• Westbound I-30 going into Dallas was completely shutdown this morning due to an overturned truck. I always think in those situations that there's someone in that mess who will miss a plane, a job interview, or something else which is critical.
• Whatever happen to W "adviser" Karen Hughes?
• Dallas police moved out Occupy Dallas just before midnight last night with a heck of a show of, but not use of, force. I would have been funny if they had sang the opening verse to "Closing Time". 
• There sure are a lot of morning posts on Facebook by amateur theologians.
• I'm already beaten down by Black Friday. 
• Remember when you were first fearful of online bill pay? How great is it now?
• Obscure movie trivia: Seth Rogen had a small part in Donnie Darko.
• There was another Amber Alert last night. Most of them these days seem to be custody disputes which are cancelled within two hours. 
• I've said it before: Newt Gingrich seems to be the only authentic GOP candidate other than Ron Paul. 
• I may get to see the William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Library next weekend. That'd be cool. But I'm guessing I've missed the leaves turning in Arkansas. 
• An arbitrator ruled that WFAA's Debbie Denmon was not discriminated against because she is fat.
• Posting may be a little off today because I should be in another DWI trial. This may be my most interesting one ever. More later. 

 

Wednesday Afternoon Pick Me Up

Some club called Avenu in Dallas. (Photos)

New Sports Illustrated Cover

The Ticket's afternoon show was wildly speculating the other day about how the scandal would impact the school in enrollment.   They basically guessed (1) That the school had about 50,000 in enrollment, (2) the freshman class would be about 15,000, (3) that applications each year probably totaled 25,000, and that (4) applications would drop by one-half.

I thought they were crazy.

Edit: In other magazine cover news, I was robbed again.

This Morning's Wreck at 51 and 2123

The Messenger's got a photo and an update here.

The Bridgeport man's Facebook page appears to be here. (Not confirmed)

Edit: And the Messenger explains why it loves pics of crushed automobiles.

Random Wednesday Morning Thoughts

• CBS News basically lied in its promotion of an interview of a key figure in the Penn State scandal last night. It was 24 seconds of nothing that led the CBS Evening News.  You know, I think I heard somewhere that you can't trust the liberal media.
• If I ever protested anything, I'd probably get bored after an hour and a half.
• The new Twilight movie, which is another sequel, is subtitled "Part I". So now we are going to have sequels of sequels. Or maybe you call them sub-sequels. 
• The paternity suit against Justin Bieber has already been dismissed.  They missed a great chance for great ratings on a Maury Povich "You Are Not The Father" episode.
• A bad wreck this morning at FM 2123 and FM 51.  That intersection has to be in the Top 3 of deadliest intersections in Wise County. 
• I had a new DWI client yesterday that caused me to spend time researching whether his initial detention was legal -- it was based on having a temporary tag in his back windshield instead of on the back of the vehicle. And then, low and behold, an article today out of Austin points out that since September 1st, because of a legislative screwup, it may no longer be illegal in Texas to not display a license plate at all. (Credit: Bud Kennedy)
• College football: (1) Houston Nutt got fired at Ole Miss but was allowed to coach the last three games. So now he suspends his quarterback and leading rusher. For spite? (2) OU's quarterback had his tires stolen off his truck - picture, (3) Coach Gary Patterson was gutsy to go for two against Boise on Saturday especially since when they first lined up there was absolute chaos before a timeout was called, (4) The Big East gets an automatic bid to a BCS bowl but they don't have a single team in the BCS Top 25 Rankings this week, (5) Houston may be the worst unbeaten team ever.
• Every time I hear "Has anyone seen the Family Cat?", I have a sense of hope well up inside of me.
• Britney Spears new bikini pics. Now I'll be able to make it to the weekend. 
• Someone posted a 48 minute video on youtube showing, apparently, the Wise County Sheriff's Office responding to a criminal trespass call in the the lobby of Newark City Hall. Cops show up at 41:00 mark. Not sure what the purpose of this is. 
• Anyone have the video of Channel 8's Dale Hansen telling Gloria Campos that she must have spent the weekend in a Motel 6 because her dress looks like it was made from its drapes? (Sunday night.) 
• Facebook got hit with some porn spam attack yesterday. In other news, Facebook finally got interesting yesterday.
• Remember that Super Committee that was formed by law in order to avoid the debt ceiling debacle a couple of months back? Their deadline for a budget cut plan is November 23rd or automatic cuts go into effect. 
• Someone made a great point yesterday. If everyone hunts deer for the meat, why isn't deer meat marketed in grocery stores since it apparently is so popular?

Pretty Sure That Office Parking Lot In Decatur Is Not Supposed To Work That Way

Messenger Above The Fold

Government: Wise County Is Not A "Food Desert". A Lot of Jack County Is, However

I think its defined as a highly populated area of poor people where a grocery store isn't really close by, or even a low populated area of poor people where a grocery store is really far away.

Or as the gubment' says:

To qualify, an area must be a low-income census tract where a substantial number or share of residents has low access to a supermarket or large grocery store:

To qualify as a “low-income community,” a census tract must have either: 1) a poverty rate of 20 percent or higher, OR 2) a median family income at or below 80 percent of the area's median family income;

To qualify as a “low-access community,” at least 500 people and/or at least 33 percent of the census tract's population must reside more than one mile from a supermarket or large grocery store (for rural census tracts, the distance is more than 10 miles).

Credit: Bud Kennedy. Complete map here.

From The Email Bag

"Artist Rendering If Rhome Was Beautiful And Load Not Lost"

"Here is some not so exciting breaking news . . .

"287 NB service road in Rhome at Fm 3433 has been shut down by TxDOT. Apparently one of those big ass windmill electricity things fell off the truck hauling it. I heard them mention closing down the railroad as well as they have to lift it up and it will be partially over the tracks as well."

State v. Guy Who Drove Away From Something

"Your honor, I call Coonskin Cap Guy to the stand."

"Sir, could you describe the operation of the  motor vehicle in terms of a defunct television series or, perhaps, an analogy to a professional driver in what is called the NASCAR circuit?"




"Thank you. Pass the witness."

What's A Food Park?

Moments ago, the Fort Worth Food Park, that haven for food-truck foodies, announced on its Facebook page that it will open Dec. 2. The park will be at 2509 Weisenberger St., a couple of blocks south of White Settlement Road and just north of the Seventh Street Target.

Charter trucks include Good Karma Kitchen, YES! Taco, Nammi Truck, Lee's Grilled Cheese, cupcake-mobile Red Jett Sweets,and a Jake's Hamburgers truck.

Rest of article here. And I still don't understand the concept.

Another Wise County Facebook Hunting Picture

Ain't judging. Just posting.

Random Tuesday Morning Thoughts

• Let me recount a dream from last night: I see at least a 15 foot alligator in the river by Bridgeport Country Club, our assistant County Attorney jumps into get it because "it doesn't have tusks", he pulls it out and a bunch of us pose for a picture with it, the alligator then clamps down on the nose of my little Yorkie, and after I save it Mrs. LL shows up on the golf course to go through a Catholic christening of some baby she is holding. See what I'm dealing with here?
• Bob Costas interviewed scandal ridden Jerry Sandusky last night over the phone. Immediately afterwards I saw this tweet from a reporter: "Aspiring journalists, take note. Bob Costas knows how to ask a friggin' question. Simple and direct. 'Are you a pedophile?'"
• Sandusky sounded like a hydrocodoned up Michael Jackson talking about his love of kids.
• Then news also broke last night that Sandusky's new lawyer impregnated a teenage client when he was in his late 40s. And then married her. 
• Negotiations between the NBA players and the Owners absolutely blew up yesterday and now most people feel the season is in jeopardy.  I think the Owners have seriously miscalculated the resolve of the players. And the Owners only have themselves to blame for the financial mess they are allegedly in. 
• I'm not familiar with Bridgeport Manufacturing and I'm not quite sure why the California Energy Commission is providing them $320,000.
• One of the gals in our office got a tattoo over the weekend. We're running wild around here!
• A Maria Menounos "Hey, Now"
• American Eagle was fined $900,000 yesterday for violating the relatively new "Passengers' Bill Of Rights". Every time I see a huge fine levied against a corporation I simply expect them to raise its prices to cover the cost of it.
• Running for President looks like it would be a beating.
• I think the Herman Cain "Rick Perry Moment" from yesterday is no big deal. 
• I've mentioned this before, but it seems a part of Wise County history that is largely forgotten: 18 people were killed when two planes collided over Bridgeport in March, 1958.
• Larry the Cable Guy was on Fox and Friends again this morning. How was he not limited to his 15 minutes of fame?  
• Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords gave her first interview yesterday and has made tremendous progress after her shooting almost a year ago. I suppose everyone is scared to question how long she will continue to draw her Congressional salary even though unable to serve. (Which is $174,000 a year plus benefits.)
• New York Jets coach drops F Bomb on taunting fan. 
• Machine Gun Kelley's grave in Cottondale. (Which was prompted by a reference in the Update which also reminded me of his "appearance" in Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? and reminded me that I forgot to watch Ken Burn's new documentary on Prohibition. See how my mind works?) Edit: Dang, it. It was Babyface Nelson in Oh, Brother -- which was part of the joke since he hated being called "Babyface." I'm losing it.

 

Monday Afternoon Pick Me Up

I had to use The Google to figure out who this is. Oh, my: Jennifer Nicole Lee (born June 13, 1975) is a fitness model, actress, and author. She is known for losing 70 pounds and launching a career as a fitness guru after bearing two children.

Count The Red Flags . . .

. . . in this story.

Here Comes The Future

I don't really watch Ultimate Fighting, but I was aware that in addition to the UFC [insert number] monthly pay-per-view, that Fox broadcast one UFC fight Saturday night on regular TV.  And although the big names weren't fighting on Fox, if brought in huge numbers of younger males. Read this:

Also to note according to the release, the UFC on Fox broadcast rated a 4.3 among the coveted 18-34 male demographic, which rated it higher than any college football game shown on a Saturday night this year, with the exception of last week’s No. 1 vs. No. 2 shootout between LSU and Alabama.

Wow.  I don't know if that fighting stuff is good or bad, but I know trends when I see them.  Reports were that the baseball playoffs were basically dominated by viewers over 50 years old.  You can see where this is going. 

You remember who the President was in Idiocracy? Yep, President  Dwayne Elizondo Mountain Dew Herbert Camacho who was the five time "ultimate smackdown wrestling champion." 

Thrilla In The Drunk Tank

Bully Picks Fight With Sleeping Inmate - Watch MoreFunny Videos

Fight starts at about the 50 second mark.  That was one heck of a comeback. The guy is just sleeping on the floor minding his own business when he gets attacked by someone who apparently knows no jailhouse etiquette. I thought it was going to be a beatdown of biblical proportions until he went all Clubber Lang on the guy.

And right when he goes for the knockout blow ..................Hello, Taser!

Obamacare Gets The Big Stage

Some are talking about how a decision before the November, 2012 election could alter the political landscape. But even though Anthony Kennedy the Court could hand down a decision by June (before its summer recess), it doesn't have to.

And stupid question: Have any of you been directly impacted by the health care law? Or have its most significant provisions not gone into effect yet? Edit: Some big brain legal scholars think that because no one will been forced to purchase insurance under that law until 2014, that no one has "standing" to bring the law suit yet.  And the Supreme Court did mention the question of "jurisdiction" today when it agreed to hear the case. That would be a way to punt the case without a real resolution.

Mrs. LL Would Be Very Bored With Mine

(Forbes) – Most divorces require spouses to part with some of their property, but in Connecticut, a soon-to-be ex-husband and wife are being asked to give up more than just investments, cars, TVs, kids, and pets. They have to hand over their social networking passwords. At the end of September, Judge Kenneth Shluger ordered that the attorneys for Stephen and Courtney Gallion exchange “their client’s Facebook and dating website passwords.” Everyone knows that evidence from social networking sites comes in handy for lawsuits and divorces. Attorneys usually get that material by visiting someone’s page or asking that they turn over evidence from their page, not by signing into their accounts. But judges are sometimes forcing litigants to hand over the passwords to their Facebook accounts.

Random Monday Morning Thoughts

• Fox News demographic watch: Mike Huckabee's show last night was from Branson with special guest Tony Orlando.
• Lots of complaints about the Decatur players conduct during Friday nights game. Legitimate or just haters?
• The beginning of the Penn State/Nebraska game was pretty moving but whoever/whomever led the spontaneous prayer needed to look at his watch. 
• How in the world did Texas Tech beat OU in Norman a few weeks back?
• The young hairdresser who was found in her burning car in Dallas a week ago has always been said to be a murder victim. Yet the police say she was alive before the car was set on fire. So exactly how do they know it was a murder?
• Almost ever story on the home page of the Dallas Morning News web site this morning is behind a paywall. It started off at about 50% but it's become worse with each passing month.
• Jason Garrett sure does like to say "We'll have to look at the tape" a lot.
• Mrs. LL survived her Girls Night Out although I'm not sure she's eager to do it again. 
• Decatur's Trevor Brazile won his 15th "world championship" in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association this weekend, but I'm not sure how that is different than an "all around" title which he holds eight of. 
• I'm not sure how a woman got shot six times in the back in Dallas yesterday and survived. 
• I already paid a guy to put up our Christmas lights. And he's already done it. I'm not getting on that roof.
• A kid from Rhome, Texas started at quarterback this weekend for UNLV. Unfortunately, the team lost to New Mexico which had held the longest losing streak in the country.
• And it's a little hard to understand how a guy accidentally left his six month old child in its car seat in a barbecue parking lot in Roanoke yesterday. 
• The Family Cat is pretty much status quo but over the last week she's decided she needs to run from one end of the house to the other at the speed of light. And she's so fat she sounds like a dog when she does it. 
• I heard Sister Christian on Saturday night and realized I can't help but think about Boogie Nights and a Chinese guy with firecrackers when it comes on.
• You knew it was a matter of time before they would start attacking the judge who set the $100,000 bond in the Jerry Sandusky case. 

Odds Of Producer/Cameraman Expecting This?

100%