Dickinson: Cigarette = deadly weapon

[tacticool]

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.

[seamusTX]

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

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

- Jim

[WildBill]

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.

[seamusTX]

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