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Deputy kills inmate at hospital (SAM SPITAL)
“In the Fox Channel 5 online news reported on September 3. 2012, there is an account of an inmate at the San Diego County Jail who appeared to be unresponsive in his cell. When deputies entered the cell, however, it was reported the inmate attacked the officers. Shortly thereafter, the inmate was taken to the … Read More
State Supreme Court Denies Latest Appeal by Man Convicted of Murdering Three Boys (SAM SPITAL)
“This August 30, 2012 article described a Petition for a Writ of Habeas Corpus filed by a death row inmate for the murder of three young boys in the summer of 1975. The California Supreme Court unanimously denied the appeal, noting the 521 page Petition is an example of the abusive practice by prisoners and/or … Read More
Target theft conviction clouds Auburn embezzlement suspect’s past (SAM SPITAL)
“In the news account dated August 30, 2012, the President of a Junior High School Parent Teacher’s Club is reported to have used the Club’s credit card one year prior to becoming its President to purchase for herself up to $4200 in merchandise from the Target store, which led to a current embezzlement charge. She … Read More
4-year sentence for San Diego real estate agent (SAM SPITAL)
“The article linked to my commentary describes a 32 year old Real Estate Agent who was sentenced to four years in Prison for falsifying loan documents to help convicted drug traffickers obtain two homes to cultivate huge quantities of marijuana. The reporter failed to describe the defense, offense and mitigation, if any. Hence, it is … Read More
San Diego Police say Roman Catholic archbishop-elect of San Francisco arrested for DUI (SAM SPITAL)
“The article published in the Washington Post noted in the early morning hours of August 27, 2012, a San Diego Police Officer arrested the Roman Catholic Archbishop-elect of San Francisco for driving under the influence. If the facts are true, this certainly evinces a lack of good judgment as no one should drive after having … Read More
San Diego CBP agents seize drugs worth $253,550 (SAM SPITAL)
“Clearly, the continued escalation of drug smuggling evinces the growing use of and seemingly unending reliance upon drugs by individuals who cannot tolerate their daily life challenges. ~ Addiction is a never ending cycle that demands rigid adherence to known and successful recovery programs. ~ Better education, developing proven life skills, and utilizing accepted and … Read More
Feds charge 27 in California-Mexico meth ring
The continuing scourge of major crime represents a challenge for law enforcement and the judicial system that has limited resources, but the unintended consequences to those that are easily addicted to Meth often suffer life-long very complex and serious issues as well. For defense lawyers, their role is to challenge law enforcement’s procedures and protocols … Read More
Slaying Suspect Speaks from Jail: ‘I Lost It’ (SAM SPITAL)
“This is a case in which a man in his late thirties was caught two years after killing his wife, who was in her late teens a short time after she gave birth to their child. At the time of his arraignment he confessed to the crime, asserting his remorse and regret. Sadly, their infant … Read More
Child accused in San Diego stabbing murder found mentally incompetent (SAM SPITAL)
“Any time a 10 or 11 year old child is charged with murder, it is not only unspeakable for the victim’s family but the family of the accused also suffers emotional harm. It has been reported the child in this case had a mental illness, the Juvenile Court Judge found him mentally incompetent and, therefore, … Read More
Tennis referee arrested in bludgeoning death of elderly husband in Los Angeles (SAM SPITAL)
“Any time there is a suspicious death or homicide, the law enforcement will first look to the most recent person known to be in contact with the decedent and/or a spouse as the likely perpetrator. Nonetheless, one should not rush to judgment and/or infer an improper motive until all of the facts and circumstances are … Read More