http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/cleveland_metro/Cleveland-police-dispatch-Missing-teens-Amanda-Berry-and-Gina-DeJesus-found-alive
Finding women alive = Good.
Now they gotta deal with the sick fuck who did this.
And the sick society that fosters an environment in which human trafficking is possible.
I am curious about the man who was keeping them. Presumably he "bought" them. I'm curious about the kind of mind that does that.
I'm just glad they're alive.
As for the sicko, well, his life has just become a tragic series of misunderstandings.
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on May 07, 2013, 02:48:12 AM
I'm just glad they're alive.
As for the sicko, well, his life has just become a tragic series of misunderstandings.
I would dearly love to interview him.
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 07, 2013, 02:53:37 AM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on May 07, 2013, 02:48:12 AM
I'm just glad they're alive.
As for the sicko, well, his life has just become a tragic series of misunderstandings.
I would dearly love to interview him.
I think the entire Cleveland PD is fighting over THAT interview.
Ten years. Holy fuck.
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on May 07, 2013, 02:54:09 AM
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 07, 2013, 02:53:37 AM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on May 07, 2013, 02:48:12 AM
I'm just glad they're alive.
As for the sicko, well, his life has just become a tragic series of misunderstandings.
I would dearly love to interview him.
I think the entire Cleveland PD is fighting over THAT interview.
I actually mean, I would like to interview him in order to understand him, and try to comprehend what kind of person he is. I've tried to do research but psychological profiles of people who engage in human trafficking are pretty much nonexistent. But with millions of slaves in the world, mostly female and predominantly underage, there are obviously enough people like him to make it a thriving industry.
We are powerless against that which we do not understand.
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 07, 2013, 07:52:03 AM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on May 07, 2013, 02:54:09 AM
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 07, 2013, 02:53:37 AM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on May 07, 2013, 02:48:12 AM
I'm just glad they're alive.
As for the sicko, well, his life has just become a tragic series of misunderstandings.
I would dearly love to interview him.
I think the entire Cleveland PD is fighting over THAT interview.
I actually mean, I would like to interview him in order to understand him, and try to comprehend what kind of person he is. I've tried to do research but psychological profiles of people who engage in human trafficking are pretty much nonexistent. But with millions of slaves in the world, mostly female and predominantly underage, there are obviously enough people like him to make it a thriving industry.
We are powerless against that which we do not understand.
I used to get in a lot of arguments because when something totally fucked happens my first response is not "hang them up by fish hooks through the nads and let the victim's families play pinata on them with a chainsaw made of spiked dildoes" or words to that effect.
I'm much more of a get inside their heads, look at their upbringing, kinda guy.
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 07, 2013, 07:52:03 AM
We are powerless against that which we do not understand.
You make an excellent point.
Speaking of human trafficking (http://washington.cbslocal.com/2013/05/02/saudi-diplomats-home-raided-for-possible-human-trafficking/)....
Saudi Arabia. AGAIN.
Fucking hell.
I really can't help but wonder at how many residences are actually impromptu prisons.
Threw up something similar in Random news, these things seem increasingly common. Or it's one of these things that's actually pretty widespread and not taken seriously.
I got the sense from an article on Yahoo! that the police were looking at the fellow and his two brothers. Three guys and three kidnapped women. One of women was taken at 14 and Amanda Berry has a daughter. It is crazy and just plain wrong.
And here's the guy who DID SOMETHING when he saw something horribly, horribly wrong. He did not, as the story goes, "pass on the other side".
http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/05/07/18098905-can-i-help-neighbor-charles-ramsey-tells-of-role-in-discovery-of-missing-women?lite
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on May 07, 2013, 05:10:12 PM
And here's the guy who DID SOMETHING when he saw something horribly, horribly wrong. He did not, as the story goes, "pass on the other side".
http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/05/07/18098905-can-i-help-neighbor-charles-ramsey-tells-of-role-in-discovery-of-missing-women?lite
From some of the links I've been looking at, they're not giving this guy the credit he deserves. Another neighbor was sitting on the porch just watching Amanda freaking out trying to break the door. Ramsey got off his ass and broke it. If it had turned out to be bullshit they'd have charged him for that. You can see him flinch in the video when he hears a siren. All the links are saying Amanda's a hero (and she probably did put herself on the chopping block by drawing attention, if the guy had come back he'd have surely killed her) but WHAT ABOUT CHARLES RAMSEY?
Oh yeah. Black. :sad:
This link has audio of him trying to explain to the idiot 911 operator. I hate people like that, I've had actual nightmares about trying to communicate with them.
http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2013/05/tv_station_reports_berry_dejes.html
Yeah, it's all great calling the victims "heroes", but you could at least spare a moment for the guy who actually saved them.
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on May 07, 2013, 06:06:14 PM
Yeah, it's all great calling the victims "heroes", but you could at least spare a moment for the guy who actually saved them.
And gambled his freedom doing it.
Quote from: stelz on May 07, 2013, 06:39:27 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on May 07, 2013, 06:06:14 PM
Yeah, it's all great calling the victims "heroes", but you could at least spare a moment for the guy who actually saved them.
And gambled his freedom doing it.
Mr Ramsey has made me feel a bit better about humans today.
I wonder if I can find him on Facebook. I'd like to write him a nice letter.
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on May 07, 2013, 07:10:08 PM
Quote from: stelz on May 07, 2013, 06:39:27 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on May 07, 2013, 06:06:14 PM
Yeah, it's all great calling the victims "heroes", but you could at least spare a moment for the guy who actually saved them.
And gambled his freedom doing it.
Mr Ramsey has made me feel a bit better about humans today.
I wonder if I can find him on Facebook. I'd like to write him a nice letter.
That audio link has his phone number on it. :eek:
I can't find him there but it looks like somebody else put this up. Maybe he'll see it.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Charles-Ramsey-Cleveland-Hero/571535752881396?fref=ts
Quote from: stelz on May 07, 2013, 07:19:01 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on May 07, 2013, 07:10:08 PM
Quote from: stelz on May 07, 2013, 06:39:27 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on May 07, 2013, 06:06:14 PM
Yeah, it's all great calling the victims "heroes", but you could at least spare a moment for the guy who actually saved them.
And gambled his freedom doing it.
Mr Ramsey has made me feel a bit better about humans today.
I wonder if I can find him on Facebook. I'd like to write him a nice letter.
That audio link has his phone number on it. :eek:
I can't find him there but it looks like somebody else put this up. Maybe he'll see it.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Charles-Ramsey-Cleveland-Hero/571535752881396?fref=ts
Ain't gonna call him, but I'll post something nice on the facebook page. I love this guy.
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on May 07, 2013, 07:21:39 PM
Quote from: stelz on May 07, 2013, 07:19:01 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on May 07, 2013, 07:10:08 PM
Quote from: stelz on May 07, 2013, 06:39:27 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on May 07, 2013, 06:06:14 PM
Yeah, it's all great calling the victims "heroes", but you could at least spare a moment for the guy who actually saved them.
And gambled his freedom doing it.
Mr Ramsey has made me feel a bit better about humans today.
I wonder if I can find him on Facebook. I'd like to write him a nice letter.
That audio link has his phone number on it. :eek:
I can't find him there but it looks like somebody else put this up. Maybe he'll see it.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Charles-Ramsey-Cleveland-Hero/571535752881396?fref=ts
Ain't gonna call him, but I'll post something nice on the facebook page. I love this guy.
Yeah, I wouldn't feel right calling him either. It's pretty fucked up that they didn't beep that number out.
And he's ace. Exactly the kind of person you want around. :)
It'd be nice if he just got a cut of the inevitable autotune songs.
And it's not over yet. I wouldn't be surprised if he gets a bill for the door.
Quote from: Junkenstein on May 07, 2013, 07:35:19 PM
It'd be nice if he just got a cut of the inevitable autotune songs.
And it's not over yet. I wouldn't be surprised if he gets a bill for the door.
Nope. You can't be held civilly or legally liable for an act that saves a human life, in most circumstances.
Ah. The more you know. I'm just extra cynical today I suppose.
Quote from: Junkenstein on May 07, 2013, 07:38:08 PM
Ah. The more you know. I'm just extra cynical today I suppose.
Yeah, well, I'm shelving mine for today, at least until I compose a letter to thank this guy.
Tell him I said Hi.
They're saying this is the kidnapper's facebook page. Whoever it is, he hates women.
Not surprised.
https://www.facebook.com/ariel.castro.10888938
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcLSI3oyqhs
I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS GUYS.
In the middle of the interview, the camera man drops something. Mr Ramsey interrupts the interview to pick whatever it was up and hand it to the guy, without thinking.
Huh (http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/05/07/missing-women-cleveland-brothers-arrested/2140359/).
Not at all to downplay Mr Ramsey's actions, which were indeed heroic and correct in every way, but it seems that there had been previous reports by neighbours about disturbing shit going down at the Castro residence.
Now, this could be a case of everyone going "oh yeah, we totally did report it, and didn't sit around like useless lumps pretending something wicked wasn't happening because that would involve too much work and unpleasantness".
Could be. It certainly wouldn't surprise me. On the other hand, Cleveland PD
might have some explaining to do:
QuoteIsrael Lugo said he, his family and neighbors called police three times between 2011 and 2012 after seeing disturbing things at the home of Ariel Castro. Lugo lives two houses down from Castro and grew suspicious after neighbors reported seeing naked women on leashes crawling on all fours behind Castro's house.
Lugo said about two years ago his sister told him she heard a woman pounding on a window at Castro's home as if she needed help. When his sister looked up, she saw a woman and a baby standing in a window half covered with a wooden plank. His sister told him and Lugo called the police.
Later, Lugo's mother called the police because Ariel Castro would park his school bus in front of their home and bring bags full of McDonald's and drinks into his home. They wondered why he needed so much food. Police again responded but didn't enter the home.
A third call came from neighborhood women who lived in an apartment building. Those women told Lugo they called police because they saw three young girls crawling on all fours naked with dog leashes around their necks. Three men were controlling them in the backyard. The women told Lugo they waited two hours but police never responded to the calls.
This is the sort of thing a local investigative journalist could really get their teeth into. I mean, is this indicative of how Cleveland PD treat suspected cases of, at the very least, domestic abuse? I mean, that would be the most charitable explanation I can think of, of how to interpret such reports.
But then, Cleveland PD knew he had a disturbing attitude towards children (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/08/cleveland-ariel-castro-child-abduction) since 2004. At least the Mayor is asking the right questions. "The mayor of Cleveland, Frank Jackson, admitted that the case was disturbing. "We are happy that they are returned to us. But we have several unanswered questions. Why were they taken, how were they taken and how did they remain undetected in the city of Cleveland for this time?""
The Guardian also has some reports of neighbours making reports to the police, though I think at least the first one is a duplicate of one mentioned above:
QuoteElsie Cintron, 55, who lives three doors away from the Castro home, told the Guardian that about a year ago her granddaughter reported seeing a a naked woman crawling on her hands and knees out of the house. The woman returned to the house but the granddaughter called the police – Cintron said she believed they failed to follow it up.
Juan Perez, 27, who lives two doors down from Castro's home, said that he and his mother heard a scream coming from the basement about three years ago. "It was the kind of scream that made you uncomfortable so my mom called the police," he said.
From those reports, my inital thinking is "Who does this guy know in the police?"
Taking them outside at all seems incredibly risky and retarded. There's probably a good chunk of luck that's helped them remain undetected.
The neighbours would probably have had more success if they didn't frame it as potential abuse, but a public indecency thing. Kids could see, think of the children etc, etc.... That would have probably made them enter the house as a minimum. That said though, there were other incidents where investigators have been in the house, standing next to the false walls and seen nothing.
All depends on your quality of cop I'd guess. It does not bode well.
Hmm.....
http://fox8.com/2012/07/19/source-authorities-searching-for-amanda-berrys-remains/
QuoteCLEVELAND, Ohio — The search for Amanda Berry is over. For the past two days, excavating crews dug through an empty lot after receiving a tip from a convict who claimed he knew where the missing teen was buried.
Around 2:30 Friday afternoon, crews completed their search at a small lot on West 30th Street and Wade Avenue in Cleveland, but were not able to locate any remains.
Cleveland resident Pedro Castro said, "That's a waste of money."
"You're dealing with a criminal. We obviously thought we had enough that we obtained a search warrant," said Cleveland Police Chief Deputy Ed Tomba.
Cleveland Police 1st District Commander Thomas McCartney said the search proved to be frustrating.
From June last year.
http://www.wftv.com/ap/ap/top-news/mcdonalds-gets-attention-in-cleveland-rescue/nXkBZ/
QuoteMcDonald's says it will reach out to a man widely quoted in accounts of the three women who were found in Cleveland after they went missing about a decade ago.
Charles Ramsey, who lives in the neighborhood where the women were found, noted in an interview with a local TV station that he was eating McDonald's when the scene unfolded Monday. He also made note of his meal in a 911 call. Both the interview and the 911 call went viral online.
On Tuesday, the world's biggest hamburger company said on Twitter: "We salute the courage of Ohio kidnap victims & respect their privacy. Way to go Charles Ramsey — we'll be in touch.
Taking bets on his likely reward:
Spokesperson
Free meals for life
Employee discount for life
Bag of coupons
A replacement meal
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on May 07, 2013, 05:10:12 PM
And here's the guy who DID SOMETHING when he saw something horribly, horribly wrong. He did not, as the story goes, "pass on the other side".
http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/05/07/18098905-can-i-help-neighbor-charles-ramsey-tells-of-role-in-discovery-of-missing-women?lite
The thing that's great about what he did is that DOING SOMETHING is pretty contagious.
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 08, 2013, 05:13:05 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on May 07, 2013, 05:10:12 PM
And here's the guy who DID SOMETHING when he saw something horribly, horribly wrong. He did not, as the story goes, "pass on the other side".
http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/05/07/18098905-can-i-help-neighbor-charles-ramsey-tells-of-role-in-discovery-of-missing-women?lite
The thing that's great about what he did is that DOING SOMETHING is pretty contagious.
An honestly good deed is more powerfully infectious and inspirational than an evil deed is discouraging. Humans can be horrible creatures, and we spend more of our time being at least passively horrible than we'll ever admit. But the fact that doing something good catches on in a way doing something bad just doesn't is what keeps me hoping that maybe there's a chance we can actually avoid annihilation by collective suicide or starvation.
Quote from: V3X on May 08, 2013, 05:26:05 PM
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 08, 2013, 05:13:05 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on May 07, 2013, 05:10:12 PM
And here's the guy who DID SOMETHING when he saw something horribly, horribly wrong. He did not, as the story goes, "pass on the other side".
http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/05/07/18098905-can-i-help-neighbor-charles-ramsey-tells-of-role-in-discovery-of-missing-women?lite
The thing that's great about what he did is that DOING SOMETHING is pretty contagious.
An honestly good deed is more powerfully infectious and inspirational than an evil deed is discouraging. Humans can be horrible creatures, and we spend more of our time being at least passively horrible than we'll ever admit. But the fact that doing something good catches on in a way doing something bad just doesn't is what keeps me hoping that maybe there's a chance we can actually avoid annihilation by collective suicide or starvation.
Sometimes I'm hopeful too. Maybe when our descendants rebuild after it all goes to shit, they'll do a better job than we did.
And BOB, this guy ROCKS. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRoKuoQ6gZ8
BBC article of interest
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-22446157
QuoteAriel Castro's son, Anthony - who says he visited the house just two weeks ago - told MailOnline that the doors to the basement, the attic and the garage were always padlocked and family members were not allowed to go there.
Anthony Castro described his father as a violent and controlling man, who beat him and nearly killed his mother in the early 1990s.
After years of abuse, his mother decided to move out of the house in 1996, taking him and his three sisters with her, Mr Castro said.
I know you in particular were interested in the psychological profile, Nigel.
QuoteOther residents claim they have made multiple calls to police regarding suspicious activity at the house.
They include sightings of women crying for help, the sound of pounding on the doors and of Mr Castro allegedly taking a small girl for early-morning walks.
QuoteCleveland public safety director Martin Flask said in a statement that no human remains had been found at the home, after "a thorough search". Police have said they are also investigating other properties.
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 08, 2013, 05:13:05 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on May 07, 2013, 05:10:12 PM
And here's the guy who DID SOMETHING when he saw something horribly, horribly wrong. He did not, as the story goes, "pass on the other side".
http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/05/07/18098905-can-i-help-neighbor-charles-ramsey-tells-of-role-in-discovery-of-missing-women?lite
The thing that's great about what he did is that DOING SOMETHING is pretty contagious.
He also said that he didn't want the reward. This man wins the Best Human Being Award Ever.
Quote from: Suu on May 08, 2013, 08:57:40 PM
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 08, 2013, 05:13:05 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on May 07, 2013, 05:10:12 PM
And here's the guy who DID SOMETHING when he saw something horribly, horribly wrong. He did not, as the story goes, "pass on the other side".
http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/05/07/18098905-can-i-help-neighbor-charles-ramsey-tells-of-role-in-discovery-of-missing-women?lite
The thing that's great about what he did is that DOING SOMETHING is pretty contagious.
He also said that he didn't want the reward. This man wins the Best Human Being Award Ever.
Yeah, he said he gets a paycheck, give it to the women. :)
Quote from: Cain on May 08, 2013, 08:03:10 PM
BBC article of interest
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-22446157
QuoteAriel Castro's son, Anthony - who says he visited the house just two weeks ago - told MailOnline that the doors to the basement, the attic and the garage were always padlocked and family members were not allowed to go there.
Anthony Castro described his father as a violent and controlling man, who beat him and nearly killed his mother in the early 1990s.
After years of abuse, his mother decided to move out of the house in 1996, taking him and his three sisters with her, Mr Castro said.
I know you in particular were interested in the psychological profile, Nigel.
QuoteOther residents claim they have made multiple calls to police regarding suspicious activity at the house.
They include sightings of women crying for help, the sound of pounding on the doors and of Mr Castro allegedly taking a small girl for early-morning walks.
QuoteCleveland public safety director Martin Flask said in a statement that no human remains had been found at the home, after "a thorough search". Police have said they are also investigating other properties.
Note to self: Cleveland police don't give a fuck if you're missing and tied up getting raped for ten years. Do not visit. :x :x :x
Inevitable Auto-tune version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZcRU0Op5P4&feature=player_embedded
Inevitable Idiot Faction rant: http://www.inquisitr.com/652529/rush-limbaugh-amanda-berry-welfare/
Well, no surprise there. Limbaugh was also going on about how the Castro brothers were Obama voters, and talking about people going missing in Hawaii a decade ago.
Subtle he is not.
Quote from: Cain on May 09, 2013, 12:19:35 AM
Well, no surprise there. Limbaugh was also going on about how the Castro brothers were Obama voters, and talking about people going missing in Hawaii a decade ago.
Subtle he is not.
THANKS A LOT, OBAMA! :argh!: [/obligatory]
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22441124
The inevitable discussion of missing white woman syndrome
Quote from: Junkenstein on May 09, 2013, 08:29:07 AM
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22441124
The inevitable discussion of missing white woman syndrome
Is that even a question? Seriously?
It is BBC Policy to wait 2/3 days and then remind people of it before proceeding to practice exactly that thing until the next instance it can remind you about it.
UK media has a lot of shit that it churns out in sequence after certain kinds of events.
But according to some people, we live in a post-racism era. :lulz:
This name may mean something to some of you:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/07/sylvia-browne-amanda-berry-cleveland
QuoteOne of the world's most recognizable self-proclaimed psychics was wrong yet again about the fate of a missing child, and her followers on social media are taking her to task.
Browne's prediction about the fate of Amanda Berry was not her first attempt to explain the fate of a child, but her fans on social media demanded acknowledgment from the self-proclaimed spiritual leader.
On Wednesday, Browne released the following through her Facebook page:
For more than 50 years as a spiritual psychic and guide, when called upon to either help authorities with missing person cases or to help families with questions about their loved ones, I have been more right than wrong. If ever there was a time to be grateful and relieved for being mistaken, this is that time. Only God is right all the time. My heart goes out to Amanda Berry, her family, the other victims and their families. I wish you a peaceful recovery.
On Facebook and Twitter, Browne sends inspirational messages to hundreds of thousands of fans, often advertising her latest appearances or one of 45 books she has published (most recently Afterlives of the Rich and Famous). She reached a high level of visibility after years appearing as a regular guest on Montel Williams' television show, a long-running daytime talk program that subsisted on paternity test results, cheating spouses and half-baked psychic predictions before it stopped production in 2008.
Psychic makes incorrect prediction. More at 11.
The UK tends to be a bit more equitable in that regard. While you do get the wall-to-wall, 24/7 coverage of someone like Madeline McCann, the UK media are savvy enough to realise that concentrating on missing black and Asian children allows endless opportunities to engage in paternalistic patronising and low key racism.
http://www.decolonizingyoga.com/t-paining-too-much-the-meme-ification-of-charles-ramsey/
http://www.mediaite.com/online/smoking-gun-cleveland-hero-charles-ramsey-a-repeated-domestic-abuser-with-jail-time/
I personally think the fact that he did fucked up shit in the past doesn't negate that this time he did the right thing.
maybe he's getting more bipedal, maybe that's why he doesn't want the reward money. Personal redemption?
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 09, 2013, 08:52:33 AM
But according to some people, we live in a post-racism era. :lulz:
Again, "Better" and "Improved" do not mean "good enough".
Quote from: Pixie on May 09, 2013, 11:10:59 AM
http://www.mediaite.com/online/smoking-gun-cleveland-hero-charles-ramsey-a-repeated-domestic-abuser-with-jail-time/
I personally think the fact that he did fucked up shit in the past doesn't negate that this time he did the right thing.
maybe he's getting more bipedal, maybe that's why he doesn't want the reward money. Personal redemption?
Maybe he regrets fucking up so badly. Maybe he had, or has a drinking problem. It's not an excuse for battering his wife, but neither does it diminish that he helped those women.
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 09, 2013, 04:01:03 PM
Quote from: Pixie on May 09, 2013, 11:10:59 AM
http://www.mediaite.com/online/smoking-gun-cleveland-hero-charles-ramsey-a-repeated-domestic-abuser-with-jail-time/
I personally think the fact that he did fucked up shit in the past doesn't negate that this time he did the right thing.
maybe he's getting more bipedal, maybe that's why he doesn't want the reward money. Personal redemption?
Maybe he regrets fucking up so badly. Maybe he had, or has a drinking problem. It's not an excuse for battering his wife, but neither does it diminish that he helped those women.
And this is it. And this was exactly what I was talking about in the redemption thread. People can better themselves.
Additional Squick:
http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/05/09/18138242-best-of-friends-neighbors-describe-close-bond-between-victim-castros-daughter?lite
More background information on what kind of man Ariel Castro was for you, Nigel. Tainted by hindsight bias, of course, but nonetheless interesting
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/08/us-usa-missing-ohio-suspect-idUSBRE9470UG20130508
QuoteIn hindsight, there were signs of a darker side to Ariel Castro, the Cleveland man suspected of abducting three girls and holding them captive for around a decade.
Divorced years ago and never seen in the company of women, Castro suddenly started showing up in the largely Latino, working-class neighborhood with a 6-year-old girl. It was his girlfriend's child, he told neighbors.
Castro, 52, was believed to have lived alone, yet on his lunch break would bring home enough bags of fast food and beverages for several people.
He was a school bus driver given mostly "excellent" marks on his performance appraisals, but was repeatedly disciplined, including for one incident when he was accused of calling a young student a "bitch" and leaving the child alone on a bus. He was fired last November.
Castro was arrested in 1993 after a domestic violence complaint, though a grand jury decided not to indict him. Another complaint in 2005 filed by his ex-wife, who died last year at age 48, accused him of twice breaking her nose and attempting to abduct their daughters and keep them from her mother. That case was dismissed.
QuoteIn the 2005 petition for domestic violence protection order, Grimilda Figueroa, who died last year, said Castro broke her nose twice and listed other acts of violence she said resulted in rib injuries, lacerations and a blood clot on the brain. A temporary protection order was granted.
"Knocked out tooth. Dislocated shoulder (twice - one each side); threatened to kill petitioner and daughters 3/4 times just this year," the petition, signed by Figueroa and her lawyer, said.
Figueroa said Castro "frequently abducts daughters and keeps them from mother," according to the petition, which was dismissed after Figueroa appeared for a court hearing without her lawyer for a second time.
Also, this, which is weird:
QuoteOne childhood friend said a music session with Castro, who was born in Puerto Rico, suddenly turned bizarre.
"Ariel was in my garage probably five or six years ago. We were recording a song, an idea we had - a little hard rock with some Latin," said Joe Popow, 45, a father of six who said he has known the Castro brothers since childhood.
"And - you're going to laugh - he said he was in the CIA. And I don't know if he was joking or not, but it's the way he said it, how serious he said it. I didn't know what he was capable of. That just put me on defense, and I just started stepping away," Popow said.
I somehow doubt it. Ex-CIA guys can get better gigs than driving school buses. But it could be indicative of a rich fantasy life.
Unless some strange drug/CIA link appears I'd lean towards fantasist. Kidnapping and imprisoning 3 people also seems to back that up. I gave passing thought to the financial side and how he was able to sustain this as Bus driver and regular large fast food orders would probably be bad for your bank account. Not really enough information on that front though beyond he was apparently pretty in the hole debt-wise.
Surprised he's the only one charged so far, I'd have thought the other two were heavily implicated generally.
Total aside - Do many ex-CIA guys end up in public things? I kind of assumed it was the kind of career you either retire from or progress into politics. Interpret retire as you see fit.
Very interesting!
Also interesting is that the Cleveland police department claims to have no record of the calls made by neighbors over the years.
It is not impossible that Castro had some kind of CIA connection, possibly as an informant, that gave him shelter from law enforcement, and this is what made him decide that he could get away with keeping three women captive... which he did successfully for ten years.
More of background, I'm sure this will amaze:
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57583660/in-note-ariel-castro-claimed-he-was-sexually-abused-as-a-child/
QuoteA Cleveland man allegedly confessed years ago in writing to taking the three women he's accused of raping and holding captive and said that he was abused as a child and raped by an uncle, CBS News senior investigative producer Pat Milton reports.
According to a law enforcement source, Ariel Castro apparently contemplated committing suicide in the lengthy, handwritten note discovered in his house from which the women - Amanda Berry, 27, Gina DeJesus, 23, and Michelle Knight, 32 - escaped Monday.
According to the source, Castro wrote about his whole life, saying that he was abused by his parents as a child and that he was raped by an uncle.
Castro also provided details about taking each of his alleged victims, who went missing in their teens and early 20s. The note was discovered by FBI agents searching his house this week.
CBS News correspondent Dean Reynolds reports Castro called himself a "sexual predator" and blamed the women for their own kidnappings, but he asks for whatever money he has to be donated to his victims after his death.
Investigators inferred from the 2004-dated note that Castro was going to commit suicide. He asked in the note that all of his money be provided to each of his victims.
I'm waiting for more detail on the bold, but it does seem to fit a certain pattern of offenders.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2321736/Angel-Cordero-Second-neighbor-claims-HE-freed-Amanda-Berry-kicking-locked-door-out.html
Yeah the source is highly questionable, but still:
QuoteA second neighbor is coming forward claiming that he was the one to save Amanda Berry from the house where she had been kept for nearly a decade.
Angel Cordero was never mentioned by Charles Ramsey, the entertaining folk hero who has captured the attention of the nation in the wake of the dramatic rescue Monday night.
Cordero, who has his niece Ashley translate for him in interviews, said that he was sitting on a neighbor's porch when they heard some commotion and went to check it out, only to find the woman desperate for help.
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 09, 2013, 07:06:07 PM
Very interesting!
Also interesting is that the Cleveland police department claims to have no record of the calls made by neighbors over the years.
It is not impossible that Castro had some kind of CIA connection, possibly as an informant, that gave him shelter from law enforcement, and this is what made him decide that he could get away with keeping three women captive... which he did successfully for ten years.
Yeah, not impossible, but I'd definitely like to see some evidence for it.
What is possibly more plausible is that he was a Cleveland PD informant of some kind and he inflated that status...which would also helpfully explain how he seemed to get away with it for so long.
Quote from: Cain on May 10, 2013, 12:40:42 PM
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 09, 2013, 07:06:07 PM
Very interesting!
Also interesting is that the Cleveland police department claims to have no record of the calls made by neighbors over the years.
It is not impossible that Castro had some kind of CIA connection, possibly as an informant, that gave him shelter from law enforcement, and this is what made him decide that he could get away with keeping three women captive... which he did successfully for ten years.
Yeah, not impossible, but I'd definitely like to see some evidence for it.
What is possibly more plausible is that he was a Cleveland PD informant of some kind and he inflated that status...which would also helpfully explain how he seemed to get away with it for so long.
Yes, that would make far more sense.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/09/sylvia-brownes-amanda-perry-psychic_n_3240157.html
QuoteBrowne has estimated an 87-to-90 percent success rate with cold cases, but Skeptical Inquirer did a 2010 analysis of 115 predictions she made on "The Montel Williams Show" and put her success rate at zero.
Nickell has also headed projects researching the success rate of psychics working on police investigations, and found no substantial evidence of their effectiveness. However, he concedes that some investigators will accept psychic assistance as a very last resort.
"One detective, a homicide commander, told me, 'you can be skeptical, but when you have a distraught family and a psychic has convinced them they have clues, it's hard to refuse,'" Nickell told HuffPost.
Total tangent but looks like her income level is going to take a beating.
Also, Made me laugh:
QuoteBrowne is also drawing criticism from other psychics like Craig Weiler, who said Browne's callous prediction to Berry's now-deceased mom crossed a line, possibly doing "harm to the family." He advises mediums to use disclaimers.
"They need to say, 'this is my impression' or 'this is my truth,'" Weiler told HuffPost. "Something like 'this is what I feel' is OK ..."
Weiler runs a blog that attempts to explain scientific studies of parapsychology in layman's terms, but said off-the-cuff predictions make things harder for people like him who are trying to demonstrate psychic ability is real.
Who would've guessed that a convicted fraudster might tell lies for money?
NO-ONE COULD HAVE EVER PREDICTED IT.
Castro is going to plead not guilty.
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/castro-plead-not-guilty-123152315.html
HOW THE FUCK...?
Quote from: stelz on May 15, 2013, 11:53:52 PM
Castro is going to plead not guilty.
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/castro-plead-not-guilty-123152315.html
HOW THE FUCK...?
Dude, of course he is. They all do.
Yeah.
Trigger warning. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/michelle-knight-worst-article-1.1345709 :cry:
It's not a good strategy to plead guilty. They always open with a not guilty plea and then possibly take a plea bargain
Quote from: Pergamos on May 18, 2013, 03:01:26 AM
It's not a good strategy to plead guilty. They always open with a not guilty plea and then possibly take a plea bargain
I hope they don't offer him a plea bargain.
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 18, 2013, 04:43:47 AM
Quote from: Pergamos on May 18, 2013, 03:01:26 AM
It's not a good strategy to plead guilty. They always open with a not guilty plea and then possibly take a plea bargain
I hope they don't offer him a plea bargain.
I hope that however things go he ends up in prison until he dies. He's in his 50's, so that should take more than 30 years.
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 18, 2013, 04:43:47 AM
Quote from: Pergamos on May 18, 2013, 03:01:26 AM
It's not a good strategy to plead guilty. They always open with a not guilty plea and then possibly take a plea bargain
I hope they don't offer him a plea bargain.
They won't. They have him cold. He's pleading not guilty because he's so fucked, he may as well.
Plead guilty: FUCKED.
Plead not guilty: Tiny but greater than zero chance of not being fucked, or being a little less fucked.
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on May 19, 2013, 12:29:19 AM
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 18, 2013, 04:43:47 AM
Quote from: Pergamos on May 18, 2013, 03:01:26 AM
It's not a good strategy to plead guilty. They always open with a not guilty plea and then possibly take a plea bargain
I hope they don't offer him a plea bargain.
They won't. They have him cold. He's pleading not guilty because he's so fucked, he may as well.
Plead guilty: FUCKED.
Plead not guilty: Tiny but greater than zero chance of not being fucked, or being a little less fucked.
*light comes on*
Thanks.