Public officials clash over treatment of high-profile inmates

Friday, January 18, 2008

Emotions ran high between citizens and elected officials Friday as word spread that two high-profile inmates have been placed on coveted "trustee" status, freeing them from cells and leaving some to fear they would be out working in the community.

The inmates in question are Thomas P. Skene, 55, arrested Tuesday, and charged with the alleged theft of $1 million in stolen equipment and possession and sale of methamphetamines, and Scottie Hoover, 23, arrested Wednesday on charges of dealing in controlled substances and contributing to the delinquency of a minor causing the death of 17-year-old Dietrich Jackson.

Jail trustees have privileges above and beyond a general population inmate, according to Putnam County Prosecutor Tim Bookwalter, though the degree of those privileges can vary. Trustees can perform duties such as kitchen work, outside work details, assignments at the Putnam County Courthouse and general clean-up. The classification is traditionally earned in other facilities, through good behavior and time served, and allows inmates at the Putnam County Jail to live in a separate open-air housing unit rather than locked cells.

Controversy over the prisoners began when jail visitors observed Hoover walking freely throughout the jail and questioned a guard about the prisoner's status. After being informed that both Hoover and Skene had been classified as trustees, the visitor informed a member of Dietrich Jackson's family, who contacted Putnam County Prosecutor Tim Bookwalter.

"I called and verified it," said Bookwalter. "I was told it was the decision of the sheriff."

The prosecutor told the BannerGraphic that he voiced his displeasure with the sheriff's department and felt that the prisoner's status as "unacceptable and rather shocking."

Sheriff Mark Frisbie defended the trustee classification for both prisoners Friday afternoon, saying that neither had a history of violence nor were they considered flight risks.

Frisbie also said the prisoners had been placed on the trustee housing block partially out of necessity as the jail is near capacity and is currently housing 85 Department of Corrections inmates, five more than he can usually house.

The sheriff also argued that the prisoners in question have only some of the privileges of being a jail trustee. Skene, according to Frisbie, was initially given full trustee privileges, but he rolled back those privileges earlier in the week.

"They will not leave the jail - period," said Frisbie, referring to Hoover and Skene. "They will help prepare meals and go back to the block."

Though he acknowledged both men were charged with serious drug related felonies, he was quick to point out that neither prisoner had stood trial or pleaded guilty. He also rebuffed the notion that any prisoner was being given preferential treatment.

"My administration has taken the drug issue very seriously. It has been our crusade since I took office." Frisbie said. "I don't want any suggestion that we are taking any charges dealing with drugs lightly."

Though Frisbie stated that he had complete faith in the decisions made by his jail staff, and it is the opinion of his staff that trustee status is not a special privilege, he said he understood how people would get the wrong impression about the inmates' classification.

"I didn't realize it would be a problem," Frisbie said. "We've taken action."

A spokesperson for some members of Dietrich Jackson's family said that the news out of the jail was, "more than they could take," Friday afternoon. The woman, who asked that her name not appear in print, said that she contacted the prosecutor because she felt other elected officials would ignore her concerns. "I just don't think I could go to bed without doing something about this."

In the end, the fight over these two inmates has become a political one, pitting sheriff against prosecutor.

"If you don't think you can treat these prisoners fairly, then maybe they should be moved to another county," said Bookwalter.

"I just wish [Tim Bookwalter] would have contacted me directly to address his concerns," Frisbie closed.

Comments
View 52 comments
Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. Please note that those who post comments on this website may do so using a screen name, which may or may not reflect a website user's actual name. Readers should be careful not to assign comments to real people who may have names similar to screen names. Refrain from obscenity in your comments, and to keep discussions civil, don't say anything in a way your grandmother would be ashamed to read.
  • And why are we surprised by this? There is certainly some type of connection between the current sheriff and these two inmates. Maybe there should be an investigation as to what the connection is.......

    -- Posted by jimsgirl on Fri, Jan 18, 2008, at 6:48 PM
  • how could frisbie "not realize it would be a problem" that hoover is out walking out and about as a "special" inmate? please. this is a HUGE deal in our community and people (both those who have known of hoover's drug use for a long time -- and those who are only familiar with the recent situation) are paying attention to what's going on. something about this whole thing smells fishy to me.

    -- Posted by inmemoryof on Fri, Jan 18, 2008, at 6:57 PM
  • we keep forgetting these two are locked up, maybe not the way you may want but they're in jail as they should be. also let's keep in mind they are a part of this repulsive drug dealing thing, but on the other side they did not make anyone ingest any drug they supplied it (i agree that in itself is more than enough), so let's agree that this is a shared tragedy.

    any reason to head hunt the sheriff, really people.... give it a rest.

    -- Posted by gottokno on Fri, Jan 18, 2008, at 7:36 PM
  • I am appalled that Frisbee would think this is acceptable. I wonder how he would feel if one of his step children were deceased at the hands of Scott Hoover. Do you think that he would still allow this to happen?

    What a slap in the face to Dietricks family. This is absolutely unacceptable and even more unabelieveable. If there are enough inmates that the jail is over crowded, I'm pretty sure that there are atleast 2 other inmates that would have been more suitable-What a joke!!!

    -- Posted by dbltrbl on Fri, Jan 18, 2008, at 7:40 PM
  • When will a grand jury be called to deal with our corrupt sheriff? I think it's time. It appears that the sheriff believes every inmate should be a trustee until they plead guilty. Sounds like it's time for our sheriff to be housed in our jail.

    -- Posted by deal93 on Fri, Jan 18, 2008, at 7:40 PM
  • This is hillarious you have to admit. Didn't Scott Hoover just get put in jail. What qualifications did he have in that short amount of time to deserve special treatment. I didn't think the sheriff was even at the jail anymore with all the extra jobs he has. I can't help but laugh, this is ludicrous. He states, "He didn't think it would be a problem. I don't give a rat's you know what if he's pled guilty or has even been tried yet. Guess what, they are both in jail (for something). My un-educated suggestion would be for Dietrick's family to contact the ATTORNEY GENERALS office at once and I do mean at once. Has anyone taken the time to look at the headlines at what has happened in this county the last couple of months? Deer being cut up in a restaurant. In the news. Our local sheriff. In the News. Over a million dollars in equipment theft. In the news. This death. In the news. Child molestation. In the news. When does everyone in this county become above the law? Put these two behind the bars, not in front of them. I can't help but continue to laugh as I'm am writing this. This takes the cake, really. I have never read an explanation so funny in my life. It's a shame that this young mans family has to babysit the prosecutors office, the decisions that the judge makes as far as bail etc., now the jail. This county should be ashamed of itself, treating the victim's family this way.

    -- Posted by cty-govt-a-muck on Fri, Jan 18, 2008, at 8:01 PM
  • To gottokno.......You're absolutely right when you say nobody made him injest that stuff. But somebody did let him die. We all keep hearing that he took the drugs, pills or whatever it was. So what.... he took them. Does that mean he has to die for what he did. These ignorant young adults (even that description is to good for them) actually thought they could get away with this. Again, so what he took pills. Get over it. HE DID NOT DESERVE TO BE LEFT LAYING LIKE AN ANIMAL TO DIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    -- Posted by cty-govt-a-muck on Fri, Jan 18, 2008, at 8:05 PM
  • This guy just keeps stumbling on his own arrogance! (or is it ignorance?) I don't see how this is a political issue. Someone screwed up AGAIN and someone else called him on it! Isn't that how it should be? Why am I not surprised? Unfortunately, Putnam County, you got what you voted for!

    -- Posted by aok on Fri, Jan 18, 2008, at 8:10 PM
  • wait a minute - didn't the prosecutor himself say in the article about Hoover that "these men are innocent until proven guilty" - now he wants to trash the Sheriff. Tell me he isn't trying to make a name for himself

    -- Posted by jterry on Fri, Jan 18, 2008, at 8:49 PM
  • WOW- Frisbie, I hope that this was not your decision. If you were trying to help Scottie Hoover and do his family a favor.... Well I believe that it has done a lot more harm than good. I know that you have ties to a lot of inmates that come through the jail- but this is crazy!

    -- Posted by DjKay on Fri, Jan 18, 2008, at 8:52 PM
  • We would be better off if Barney Fife was running the department. I am proud to say that I didn't vote for him. Maybe he could take the kiddie mo home with him to act as a babysitter so he can go to Hooters.

    -- Posted by savethekids on Fri, Jan 18, 2008, at 9:17 PM
  • Folks let me make this as simple and plain as I can, Both inmates are Indiana State Police (Arrested) inmates. Who investigated Sheriff Frisbie's Dept, and found all the discrepencies, The Indiana State Police. Drawing no conclusions just knowing Sheriff Frisbies history with ISP, pretty easy to see what is going on. But hey maybe I'm seeing things....Mark fix this you know its wrong.

    -- Posted by CastlePirate on Fri, Jan 18, 2008, at 9:31 PM
  • -- Posted by sheder on Fri, Jan 18, 2008, at 9:48 PM
  • the article said that the inmates in question were pulled out to work the kitchen and then put back in till the next meal - how is putting an inmate to work "special treatment?"

    -- Posted by jterry on Fri, Jan 18, 2008, at 9:52 PM
  • Good behavior and time served? Has Scottie Hoover been in jail long enough for that that to add up yet? There is something definitely wrong here.

    -- Posted by indtonyc on Fri, Jan 18, 2008, at 10:05 PM
  • Read it again jterry...It says "...allows inmates at the Putnam County Jail to live in a separate open-air housing unit rather than locked cells." It also stated that he was walking around freely. No matter what kind of spin you want to put on it, there is no way that this was ever the right thing to do and the fact that he "didn't think it would be a problem" speaks volumes. I guess things only become a "problem" when they become public knowledge. Thank you to the visitor who brought this to light. Unfortunately, just another thing that this family has to try to make sense of.

    -- Posted by aok on Fri, Jan 18, 2008, at 10:16 PM
  • dbltrbl wrote..."I wonder how he would feel if one of his step children were deceased at the hands of Scott Hoover. Do you think that he would still allow this to happen?" Molon Labe, If the honest answer to this question is "yes" then we are all wrong and you are right. However, I would bet my over-appraised, over-taxed Putnam County property that that would not be the case! If these inmates had earned these privileges over time it would be easier to swallow but this is surely special treatment that the average nobody drug dealer isn't afforded.

    -- Posted by aok on Fri, Jan 18, 2008, at 11:46 PM
  • I think the "who Mark plays golf with" reference speaks volumes about his character and decision making. Fortunately he can't run again as sheriff. Maybe we will get lucky and he will leave his position before his term is up.

    -- Posted by CdaleResident on Sat, Jan 19, 2008, at 1:26 AM
  • Except for the snipe about others capability to reason (there was no need for that) Molon Labe is correct that they are innocent till proven guilty.If the inmates applied for trustee status and were accepted so be it.

    Maybe the criteria needs to be changed.

    Would we be so outraged if they became trustees 2, 4,or 6 months down the road?

    I wonder.

    -- Posted by paying attention on Sat, Jan 19, 2008, at 3:19 AM
  • If you want a new sheriff, get one. That's the beauty of democracy. I belive that the Coroner and Prosecutor are the checks on the Sheriff. Get out there and petition for his resignation! I'm sure most of the county is for that.

    -- Posted by tigerlily on Sat, Jan 19, 2008, at 8:32 AM
  • What a non-issue.

    Happy MLK Jr. Day everyone!

    -- Posted by GuyFawkes1105 on Sat, Jan 19, 2008, at 10:06 AM
  • What are you talking about when you say "non-issue"? Just curious. Please don't forget that there was a young man let to die. I'm sure if he was coherant, he would have said, "Please take me to a hospital". The judicial system is definitely a joke around here. It seems that the prosecutor and the sheriff are now at odds. Wonder how that friendship will turn out. Each one is only lookint out for themselves at this point. I'm sur the prosecutor wants to be re-elected, so he will make himself look as if he is for the victim. Mr. Frisbie doesn't give a you know what because he will not be re-elected as he can't run again. So it's a no-win situation for the family of Dietrick. Look to no-one for help in this county because as we've all read and seen no-one really has true friends here in this county. You might think they are you're friends, but don't count on it. I believe there are several elected officials that have the number 666 on the back of their head.

    -- Posted by cty-govt-a-muck on Sat, Jan 19, 2008, at 10:50 AM
  • Please let this young solider(D)rest in peace, yes he made some bad choices: bad choice of friends, bad choice to use some ones rx drugs, bad choice to decide to move back to this small minded town.

    -- Posted by ks on Sat, Jan 19, 2008, at 12:19 PM
  • The subject spelled out in the first paragraph of this article is the non-issue. The repeated diatribes are ambiguous.

    -- Posted by GuyFawkes1105 on Sat, Jan 19, 2008, at 12:38 PM
  • none of this surprises me as I have witnessed first hand how the sherrifs deputies respond to a 911 call about an accidental fire arms discharge (with rifel drawn, raised, and the safety released)and no concern as to the victims well being. I believe that not only should Mark Frisbee be forced to resign but that we should take a good long hard look at the deputies also. In regards to over about half of them I for one would feel safer with Barney Fife.

    -- Posted by countrypunkin on Sat, Jan 19, 2008, at 1:05 PM
  • Sounds to me like he's protecting his own kind....?

    -- Posted by fop13 on Sat, Jan 19, 2008, at 2:29 PM
  • yes I'm with you ks plzzzzzzzz

    -- Posted by pageme369 on Sat, Jan 19, 2008, at 4:32 PM
  • hey...ED...got some sour grapes...you were a worthless crybaby when you were here and it is obvious you still are! You should talk about being a dissapointment to your family...4 departments in 4 years...and yea...I know you well - for about 15 years!

    -- Posted by jterry on Sat, Jan 19, 2008, at 5:16 PM
  • I am truly disgusted to live in this county...not because of the accusations againt our Sheriff, but because of all the hateful, ignorant and selfish people who live here and lash out about what they do not know...to call our Sheriff a criminal is ignorant at best!!! I am a single mother of 2, I have no social staus and do not have money. I called our Sheriff at home (the prosecutors home phone is not in the book - our Sheriff's is) on christmas eve 2 years ago - my son was out of his mind on drugs. The Sheriff came to my home at 1 in the morning, talked my son out of doing himself harm and took him to a treatment center.

    About a year later, my son backslid and got arrested for meth...the Sheriff let him sit for several days and then made him a trustee...the Sheriff showed him respect but was very firm on him about his drug problem. after my son got out, the sheriff helped him find a job and checked on him at least once a week to make sure he was staying clean.

    My son has been clean for over a year and has a beautiful baby girl and a wife that I call a friend.

    The Sheriff did not contibute to my son's problem - instead he held his feet to the fire and made him be a man...

    Thank you Mark,

    I believe in you

    -- Posted by shelia E on Sat, Jan 19, 2008, at 6:49 PM
  • Shelia, I wonder how you would have felt if things had not turned out so well with your son, what if someone had given him a pill and he died. Then they arrest this person and in 2 days he is a trustee. Doesn't seem right, does it???

    -- Posted by deal93 on Sat, Jan 19, 2008, at 7:12 PM
  • I know a person that was arrested for a slap on the hand offense but still had to be locked up in a cell and treated like dirt. I hear of this and I just do not understand why they are getting to walk around like they own the jail when others have to sleep on the ground in a holding cell and didn't even commit any crime. An emergency call was called in for an accidental firearm discharge and for no reason 5 of Putnam County's best duputy's just had to arrive and start pointing thier guns around and telling people to get on the ground for no reason. This was a call reporting an accidental gun discharge and instead of paramedics arriving cops showed up with guns pointed at people and the safety released. The deputy's for no reason demanded a guy to get on the ground like a dog and when he didn't do it they pounced on him like a cat and arrested him for resisting arrest which you can not be resisting arrest if you weren't under arrest to begin with but our deputy's do not care about the true law. So then the guy was ****** off and yelling so then the cops added disorderly conduct to his charge. Both of these charges are outrageous and instead the deputy's should be charged with them instead. Just a little more proof that Putnam County needs alot of help in the law enforcement department.

    -- Posted by tickedoffguy on Sat, Jan 19, 2008, at 7:36 PM
  • badboy...or T White...sad to see you try and bring good and COMPETENT people down to your level...again- I am ashamed of everything on this blog and the people behind it

    -- Posted by shelia E on Sat, Jan 19, 2008, at 8:36 PM
  • oh and "deal"...you say incompetent - have you paid any atention to what has happened in our county and what our sheriff has done for it in the last several years...if you don't know, then you were against him all along and were just looking for a reason to trash him...this county owes him and his family more than we can ever repay...I can't wait for your biased and ignorant response...none of your accusations have come true

    -- Posted by shelia E on Sat, Jan 19, 2008, at 8:39 PM
  • I do think frisbee has done some good things but his attitude runs hot or cold with little in between. Yes we will have a new sheriff come election time but he needs to do the job he is paid for now and stop his I'll do what I want when I want attitude. Shelia said what he did for her son but what about the ones landing in jail for minor offences and costing families hundreds of dollars in bail and fines? Also the Sheriff is a full time job so why is he hired out privately? He spends more time on his other job than Sheriff, I believe they call this "lame duck" because he is on his last term.

    -- Posted by Trying hard on Sat, Jan 19, 2008, at 10:05 PM
  • sheila our sherif isnt the only person in this county that has done something good. it seems he has done something good for u and i am sure a lot of others. what i have said is the truth and my opinions. i have done my crimes, when i was younger, and did my time for doing them. i have now grown up and have taken on a family and father approach to things. most of us grow up at some points in our life. i hope i have and am doing the right thing.

    when people of all ages sit in my chair and tell me there thoughts, feelings and what they want it has an affect on me. i have been and done what most are doing or going thru. i tell them where i have been and what i have gone thru in my 39 years. it isnt anything i wish upon anybody. i took responsibility for what i done in the past. its time our leaders take responsibility for there actions. so if one man can go to jail for a crime why would ones position in society allow him to go scott free??? i'll take any answers...crime is a crime. yes i am T White.

    -- Posted by badboy46120 on Sat, Jan 19, 2008, at 10:15 PM
  • pointer...I know, for a fact!!! that the Sheriff is in his office every day! If you are upset about what some criminals get - don't look at the sheriff - look at the prosecutor (or PT Barnum - same thing)...the sheriff does not set who gets what - he simply takes care of our loved ones while they are in his care...oh and "T"...hope you have proof on your statements - walking on thin ice you are...I also know the sheriff's brother - I grew up with him and I know his parents NEVER turned there back on him. that was a period!

    -- Posted by shelia E on Sat, Jan 19, 2008, at 10:46 PM
  • The Sheriff states that the jail is to crowded so he had to make these inmates "trustees". I'm sure there are other inmates in the blocks that have less severe charges. All he had to do was pull two inmates out of the blocks who qualify for "trustee" status and there would be room for the two inmates in question.

    You would think since he has been sheriff since 2003 he could figure something like that out.

    Also he states that he has to many doc inmates, is this the county jail or the department of correction. Sure have some to bring money in, but you better have room for county inmates. But that might be a problem for him, he might need the extra money to pay for political bracelets or a hooters bill.

    -- Posted by racer1 on Sat, Jan 19, 2008, at 10:48 PM
  • Look... The man is trying to do what he can. Mark has great ideas and plans for the next 3 years he is in office. I believe he will follow through with everything. He is very family oriented and does care about what goes on in this county and the department. So he forgot to turn in some receipts, big deal, he paid the money back.

    What do you think he is suppose to do. Everytime he gets a little self esteem back you guys are the first to beat him down and continue to kick him. Put yourselves in his shoes. Not only are you bashing him, you are also bashing his family. Grow up people.

    Oh and for bashing T White. You have no idea how far he has came. I have known him for at least 10 years and know for a fact that he is everything he claims to be.

    -- Posted by concerned3 on Sun, Jan 20, 2008, at 12:37 AM
  • Well - it states there are 44 comments posted regarding this subject-however I only counted 23, guess the rest have been removed including one of mine. Did I offend you? I still stand by my original comment which is I do not believe that Scott would be a trustee if one of Mark's children were deceased instead of Deitrick. Yes- he was 17 and should have made a better choice but if Scott didn't make the drugs available, it wouldn't be an issue would it? As for T White - leave the guy alone, as he said, he did the crime and paid the time, exactly what Hoover and Skene should do.

    As for you that are bumping my comments off of here - apparantly you can't handle the truth.

    What a joke!!

    -- Posted by dbltrbl on Sun, Jan 20, 2008, at 11:40 AM
  • I don't think anyone on here is purposely slamming Frisbee. I do think that all parents and grandparents would and should be upset if their child should have died due to drugs that were rec'd by Hoover, and then for him to be allowed to act as Trustee within a couple of days? I know how I would feel and I think Frisbee should have used better judgement, especially with this so fresh on everybody's mind. It is a slap in the face to this young mans family. Hoovers probably spending his time thinking what the rest of us are thinking which is our current system is corrupt. What will keep him from doing this again if hes released? Think about it-next time it may be your child.

    We are all entitled to our opinions and I think for Frisbee to allow this is simply a joke.

    -- Posted by dbltrbl on Sun, Jan 20, 2008, at 2:23 PM
  • Shelia, You probably shouldnt call other people ignorant, kind of the kettle calling the pot black. And I made a mistake and voted for him the first time. Sounds like he is a friend of yours, so defend him with your heart but I hope you can use your head and think, blind loyality is never good!

    -- Posted by deal93 on Sun, Jan 20, 2008, at 2:25 PM
  • Concerned3..... You said, "So he forgot to turn in some receipts, big deal, he paid the money back."

    I don't know what company you work for but I know if I didn't have a receipt to turn in I would not get it expensed. It's as simple as that. I have a corporate credit card and I am still responsible for the correct receipts. Most companies operate like this. It is a big deal in the working world. I am 26 years old and I can understand this. He better hope he can find a job as lenient as yours once he is no longer the sheriff.

    -- Posted by indtonyc on Sun, Jan 20, 2008, at 4:47 PM
  • I simply fail to see how anyone can be accused of favoritism in such a small town as Greencastle. Before becoming familiar with this story, I had no idea I was closely connected with both sides. I also know the vast majority of the police department, and several of the people who have left comments. I know Banner staff. Oh, and I'm the mayor's niece. My point being, we all know most people in the town. These associations cannot be construed as favoritism, or else there would be many more cases.

    My heart and thoughts go out to all families involved. This is a tragedy, affecting the entire community. It cannot be changed; let us instead focus on what we can do CONSTRUCTIVELY as a community to ensure this doesn't happen again.

    -- Posted by diaspora on Sun, Jan 20, 2008, at 5:42 PM
    Response by Greencastle:
    Do you mean that you are the former mayor's niece, not the current mayor?
  • has everyone forgotten about all of the the drug classes for parents that Frisbie put on...Greencastle christian church, greencastle high school, fillmore christian church, heritage lake, north putnam schools, south putnam schools...yea, he has done nothing for our community - wake the heck up!!!!!!!!!

    your bias is obvious!

    -- Posted by jterry on Sun, Jan 20, 2008, at 9:16 PM
  • If I remember correctly we still live in a semi-free country and we have the right to free speech. We can say what we think as long as we do not libel or slander anyone. I think some of these posts are coming real close to going over the line. We are entitled to our opinions and others do not have to agree with us, just as we do not have to agree with them. Try to remember that the people you are tearing apart have families.

    -- Posted by cloverlady on Mon, Jan 21, 2008, at 10:36 AM
  • Well the Constitution of this great country allows you and I both to make whatever comments we like to make as long as it does not damage or defame anyone. So to attack criticize anyone who comments, positive or negative, is your right as well. But attacking someone who is critical of an elected official is just as bad as the one who attacked the official. Mark has made ALOT of mistakes but has done ALOT of good too. Alot of the mistakes is attitude and ignorance on Marks part, and not attacking, ignorance in the way that he was just uninformed,

    As for the person who states they know for a "fact" Mark is in the office "everyday", your dreaming, Mark is a very busy person and is frequently out of he office for a number of things, some business some personal, but one should not comment on something when one is very uninformed.Now I will say this since the whole misuse of funds accusation came around Mark has been in the office more then before,Why, well only Mark knows why. Ok let the bashing continue.....

    -- Posted by CastlePirate on Mon, Jan 21, 2008, at 10:58 AM
  • Does anyone think the trials will be moved to another county?

    -- Posted by loanrosh on Mon, Jan 21, 2008, at 3:24 PM
  • Based on nothing other than the comment section of the BannerGraphic, these trials (if it comes to that) must be moved. A good defense attorney can argue that it would be impossible for the accused to stand a fair trial, and I believe the Banner has to stand accountable for some of this. Yes, free speech is a fundamental constitutional freedom, but in the old days of legit letters to the editor, you had to sign your name......

    Remember, you have a Republican controlled county who can ill-afford a costly trial or trials, a Republican judge and prosecutor as well. Just look at the Black Angus murder to put things in perspective.....a cheap plea bargain and a slap on the wrist.

    -- Posted by localman on Mon, Jan 21, 2008, at 7:33 PM
  • Does this attitude sound like....I can, I will, and you can't stop me. When people are put behind bars, whether they have went to trial or not (they will go eventually) shouldn't they be behind bars and not in front of them?

    -- Posted by cty-govt-a-muck on Tue, Jan 22, 2008, at 7:08 AM
  • To diaspora....who cares if you're the mayor's neice or not. Former or current. We could get into who I'm related to also as many of these bloggers could. There is favoritism here and we all know it.

    -- Posted by cty-govt-a-muck on Tue, Jan 22, 2008, at 7:29 AM
  • The voices of people in the small town of GC...gotta love it!! I think people should know all aspects of a story before having the option of opening their mouths and expressing ignorance. All people know is what the media is caring to share with them at this point in time...yes, there is favoritism...even in the informative articles...does anyone care that the main guy...steve smith (the one prescribed the pills), was pictured in the paper in his regular clothes?? not dress in an orange jump suit like the others!! Some info as to why he was in the hospital was held from you all too. Let's not forget these men still have not been to trial, and have not been convicted. Of course this is going to be about politics, once again it's election time. I personally don't think that people's humor is really necessary here...what's so funny...NOTHING...my point exactly. I think the families involved deserve more respect than they are getting here in these comments. In fact, these comments sound more like practice for a debate team, not about the best interest for those involved. Everyone here should get together and have one big debate...this is beyond ridiculous!! I am truly sorry the families are having to deal with this on top of what is actually going on...

    -- Posted by intellect911 on Tue, Jan 22, 2008, at 12:55 PM
  • I've lived in this county all my life..and it is and always has been who you know.. and the "in crowd" this isn't new.. The "in crowd" gets off light and the rest of us pay the price.

    -- Posted by MotherOf2 on Thu, Jan 24, 2008, at 5:42 PM
Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: