TexasCHLforum.com

WildBill wrote:

seamusTX wrote:Keeping in mind that this is a news report based on allegations by the sheriff's office at the time of the arrest, someone who is 35 years old and getting into out-of-control bar fights could be a significant danger to society—at least to the society that hangs out in bars. Next time it might be a pool cue. - Jim

According to the report, this particular incident had some extenuating circumstances due to someone's boy friend dancing with another woman. I am sure that the judge will consider that during sentencing. Of course I don't know if the suspect has a prior history of this type of behavior.

According to the report.
Ford danced with a man.
The man's girlfriend left and took her man with her.
Frustrated Ford assaulted Maples.

I wouldn't call those extenuating circumstances. Maybe the opposite.

Suspect claims self-defense. Police stand by their earlier decisions.

http://galvestondailynews.com/story/223298" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

- Jim

seamusTX wrote:Suspect claims self-defense. Police stand by their earlier decisions.
- Jim

I am really surprised that the paper published her claims. This doesn't happen very often. I don't know if it's because most people who are arrested don't contact the paper, or whether the paper doesn't want to publish the story.

I'm not an expert on these matters, but I think the paper pretty much has to publish the defendant's side of the story to avoid a potential libel suit or even a mistrial.

We tend to read news reports where so-and-so was arrested for robbery, burglary, or whatever, and assume it is a fact. The end result often is that the defendant pleads to a minor offense like assault or criminal trespass and is never found guilty of a felony.

That could be the case here.

- Jim