Anderson Valley Post Accounts

I wish to point out that the Redding Record Searchlight (I know, "same_owner") essentially 'buried' this news in an article which even failed to name Benson's Police Union-funded lawyer, but also failed to report the updated charges. Basically, the Record Searchlight left it's readers in the dark.

QUIT blaming the 'victim'!

Don't let 'em get to ya', Mr. Woodward.

Re: DNA evidence.

Note that the long-awaited DNA results were strangely 'ignored' in court today.

This hearing had been continued from last week SOLELY for the lab results.

Palazzo ONLY argued that 'rape' was 'consensual' (you slime!), NOT that it didn't occur. (Believe me, if there was ANY chance, he would claim it didn't happen.) (Oh, he DID claim that.)

One could easily conclude that the results were POSITIVE! And that this evidence 'somehow' got squelched from public view. Who do you suppose would have an interest in that? These are some VERY powerful interests/people. What was the quote from the PR promo from Palazzo' firm - something about controlling the media?

The lawyers representing Benson, have "...NOT LOST A CASE that has gone to verdict since 1995." (Caps added for emphasis) ibid.

(thank you Michael Woodward)

Represented by Stephen Palazzo of Goyette and Associates of Sacramento
**********************************************
Paul Goyette and Goyette & Associates, Inc.,(G&A) have an unprecedented record in representing high profile criminal defendants in complex cases that are closely covered by the media. Paul Goyette is currently enjoying an unprecedented win streak in high profile criminal defense cases having not lost a case that has gone to verdict since 1995.
"Will you pay more to have the G&A team represent you?"
Of course. But it comes back to the fundamental question of how important is it to you to win your case?
"Why choose G&A to represent you or your loved one in a high profile criminal case?"
The answer is simple: How bad do you need to win? Put another way, how important is it to you win this case? http://www.goyetteassociates.com/firm...

Bailed by the Police Union.
Defended by the Police Union.
The Police Union is funded via LE paychecks.
LE paychecks are paid by the taxpayers.
Bailed and Defended with taxpayer money.

This is easy: 'Direct' to trial. The evidence is too damning; a Preliminary would be prosecutor's field day. This is not to say, "direct" has any thing to do with speedy justice. I expect (hope?) justice_will_be_served, eventually (in a court_of_law), despite the machinations of the Police Union.

And, a $500 'wad' of 100 dollar bills.
Not much of a 'wad'.
1_4_U & 2_4_U & 2_4_Me - poof, gone.

Lucid_Dream:

You're probably right; they're looking to clean house.
Maybe more about Shawn Watts will be forthcoming.

Here's the rub, though. Watts may, or may not, do a through review of APD. Another poster related problems with inappropriate access to APD data. Is this being "looked into"? We don't know, and won't know, imo, because this is another internal police review/discipline that is SECRET, by law. There no provision for even a cleaned-up, redacted version for the public. Basically,this will be a legal cover-up, imo. Even what comes out in criminal court documents will be carefully crafted by the police union. (Or, should I say unions, since there may be different interests of management vs. rank_and_file?)

"The idea is we want to get to the bottom of whatever is going on so the public can be confident in our police department,"
AND,
"Watts' review may not be made public, however.
Shigley said that "depends on what he ends up finding.""

The same person made these two contradictory statements in one breath. How can there be any credibility?

And, WHO is Shawn Watts? He has a Brand-New company. Has he solved any "cases". Is he a shill? He may be a good man, but how do we know?

This meeting is to receive a Update from APD:
http://www.redding.com/news/2010/jun/...
So, that's it, huh, Mayor Shigley?
Already have your mind made up, huh?
"NO expected action!", even BEFORE you've heard the report.
I guess that precludes ANY action AFTER you hear the report,
no matter what you hear.
What if it's a "Horror Show!"?
Talk about a "closed mind"!
Do we need NEW leadership?

I'm guessing: EVERYBODY wanted Officer GOODWIN to lie to investigators. It would have been SO easy, so elegant. The bleeding would have been stemmed. The damage would be limited to one throw-away officer. To his moral credit, GOODWIN (apparently) told the truth. However, it has unleashed a pandemonium, with an unforeseeable end. And has set the scene for his own downfall. This has the elements of a Greek Tragedy.

It's in the Police Report http://media.andersonvalleypost.com/m...
BENSON offered quid pro quo; that he, and his "partner", could "fix" the Breathalyzer, IF the VICTIM performed his (BENSON's) favorite sex act.
I believe this is the basis for BENSON's Bribery charge.

This is really damning for GOODWIN, imo. Even though he was (likely) unaware of BENSON's slimy offer, and (perhaps) wouldn't dream of fabricating evidence, his complicity in NOT reporting the rape would color any denial of additional complicity, imo.

Officer Kirvin, what about GOODWIN? What about the BIG ISSUES? Police Corruption/Conspiracy (Misprision of Felony) and Falsification of Evidence?
I hope that DOJ and the Feds are looking over your shoulder!

What about 100's of jeopardized DUI and drug busts? GOODWIN was a hotdog when it came to busts. According to the police report, GOODWIN conspired to hide a felony by a fellow officer, and was part ("partner") of a scheme to "fix" Breathalyzer tests. EVERYTHING he (or BENSON) EVER touched is suspect.

Benson is history; throw him under the bus, but don't use him as a smoke screen for the BIG ISSUES.

Did Officer Goodwin have citizen's complaints?
That's a LOT of DUI's.
How many Breathalyzer results were "fixed"?
How many Drug Tests were "fixed"?

City Manager Dana Shigley promises, "If the accusations are true, I do want everyone to know this isn't how the department acts as a whole ... this is not how our officers do business," said.

Whether the accusations or true, or not, I would like to be reassured that's not how your officers "do business"!

Backup these words, Mr. Shigley, by implementing public civilian police review! Now!

csr30:
Some good points.
In particular, Goodwin being interviewed to(sic) late in the investigation.
For 5 days to pass before they interviewed Goodwin does seem bizarre. He must have known about the investigation no later than his next shift, probably sooner. So, he sat on it for 5 whole days, and only then, when prompted, he pops up with, "Oh Yeah, I remember now, Ol' Silly Bry told me that morning that he had a funny thing happen on the way to the Jail..."

More likely scenario: Union weasel Steve Palazzo spends 5 days evading the interview team and prompting Goodwin what to say in the interview.

Unbeknown to Goodwin, Palazzo is loyal to where the $ comes from, and is throwing him under the bus, just to keep the focus off the BIGGER ISSUES!
The bigger issues: Police Corruption, Falsification of Evidence, Massive reversal of innumerable adjudicated court case, etc. etc.

We need Civilian Police Review Boards Now!

We need Civilian Police Review Boards!
We need Civilian Police Review NOW!

I urge ANYONE who has EVER had contact with these officers, or, ANY negative experience with APD, or, ANYONE who had a Breathalyzer performed at APD at ANY TIME by ANY agency, to immediately contact your trial attorney or a lawyer of your choice. You may have legal recourse!