June 3 TEXAS: Mother: Idea came from Web -- Chili powder that killed baby supposed to cure thumb sucking, she says A teenage mother accused of killing her 5-month-old daughter by applying a home anti-thumb-sucking remedy said she got the idea off the Internet, according to court documents released Wednesday. Angela Disabella, 19, told detectives she put chili powder on the thumb of her daughter, Kira, after reading about it online, a search warrant affidavit states. She also told police she wanted to stop the baby from crying. On Monday afternoon, officers who responded to her third-floor apartment at Dakota Hill in the 7900 block of North MacArthur Boulevard in Irving said they saw powder in the kitchen and sink, the document states. Ms. Disabella told them "she had [Kira] at the sink trying to wash the powder off." Police also saw a "suction-type bulb with powder on it at the location," the affidavit states. Ms. Disabella was being held at the Lew Sterrett Justice Center on a charge of capital murder, which could result in the death penalty if she is convicted. Her bail is set at $750,000. She declined an interview request Wednesday. Her court-appointed attorney could not be reached for comment Wednesday. The Dallas County medical examiner's office ruled Kira's death a homicide, finding that the infant choked on chili powder. Officials said her airway was clogged with the substance. A secondary cause of death was malnutrition. Child Protective Services had been investigating Ms. Disabella after receiving a report that the child appeared severely underweight. Social workers contacted the baby's father last week to set up a meeting with the family. Four days after that meeting was scheduled, the baby died. Officer David Tull, Irving police spokesman, said Kira's father faces no charges. Ms. Disabella, a stay-at-home mother, called 911 about 3 p.m. Monday, saying that her baby was not breathing, the affidavit states. She was the only caretaker at home at the time. An ambulance crew took Kira to Las Colinas Medical Center, where she died later that day. Police detectives went to the hospital and seized the intubation tubes used to try to resuscitate the child. According to the affidavit: "The tubes appeared to have a substance on them that was consistent with Tabasco chili powder." Ms. Disabella initially was taken to Parkland Memorial Hospital because she threatened to hurt herself, police said. She eventually was placed under arrest. About 7 p.m. Monday, detectives searched her apartment, seizing a suction bulb, powder, photos, a computer, clothing, a blanket and towel. There are various references online to chili powder as a deterrent to thumb sucking, few of which mention any dangers. Information is also available about products containing pepper extracts - among other ingredients - that are touted not only to curb thumb sucking, but also to cure nail biting. There are also articles critical of these practices. Parents should always consult a physician before trying out something they see on the Internet, said Lt. Bill Walsh, head of Dallas' child abuse and child exploitation squad. "That's one of the things that's dangerous about Internet sites," he said. "There's a lot of goofy stuff out there." The Irving case is unique but not unheard of, he said. "This is on the fringes of child maltreatment," he said. "We often see people who have unrealistic expectations of children, that they should stop crying, stop wetting themselves or spitting up food." "They come up with a punishment, as if the child is trying to spite them," he said. "It's a difference of swatting a kid on the behind and beating him to death with a board. Obviously, parents are responsible when they exceed what's acceptable." (source: The Dallas Morning News) *********************************** Hello. My name is Steven Woods, and I am currently an inmate awaiting lethal injection in the Alan B. Polunsky Unit in Livingston, Texas. I am writing this as a plea for help, for myself and the 400 plus inmates living on death row. I am writing this to ask that you get involved, to help make our conditions more liveable and humane. To help us gain a little comfort as we sit out what little remains of our lives. I am aware that there are numerous people and organizations world-wide that expend an immense amount of energy trying to abolish the death penalty. While I admire and respect their efforts, I am also aware that there are few who stop and look at how we are forced to live. So much effort is put on saving our lives, that this is often overlooked. This is no fault of the people, it is the fault of myself and all the 400 plus inmates who share my fate. We just lie down and accept the way we are treated. If were not willing to stand up for ourselves, why should anyone else? It is time for this to change. Death row, in Texas, is housed in a maximum security super segregation facility. A facility designed to hold prisoners indefinitely in a solitary confinement environment. We are locked down for 23 hours a day, in a single man 6x9 foot steal and concrete cell. We are afforded extremely limited privileges, and only one hour a day to get out of our cells for recreation. Every time we leave our cells we are strip searched, placed in hand restraints - on a leash, and led around like some kind of animal being walked. If you were to ask the TDCJ administration why it is set up like this, they would tell you that we are security risks. This is absurd. Granted, it is true that we were convicted of some very heinous crimes, I would like to point out that there are TWO penalties for capital murder; death, or life in prison. Those who are convicted and are afforded a life sentence (my co-defendant, for example) are in most cases convicted of the exact crimes we were. They live out their lives in general population as a reward for their testimony against us, the fact that they plead guilty, or because the jury decided to show compassion (as in the case of the terrorist sniper Lee Malvo). Let me ask you this. Who is more likely to be a danger to others; an inmate condemned to die, who has a chance to save his life if he can prove that he is not a danger to society, or the prisoner who will serve out a life sentence, and has nothing to lose? The majority of people who are sent to a TDCJ prison, those who did not receive the death penalty and behave themselves, are placed into the general population unit. They get to serve their sentences in relative comfort. They receive hot meals in a healthy environment. They get to go to church, and participate in educational programs. They are allowed to interact with other prisoners, and can walk around freely, to the dayrooms and recreation yards, and around the section they live on. They are allowed to receive contact visits, to touch and hold their family and loved ones. These convicts consist of thieves, violent offenders, rapists, capital murderers and child molesters. These inmates often act violently toward each other and the guards, and sometimes try (and succeed) to escape. But, of course, they are not security risks. Not according to TDCJ. We, on death row, are deprived of so many of the things that make a human being stable, and sane. The TDCJ officers dont care about us, dont like us, and act against us whenever and however they can. They are constantly degrading us calling us names, trying to take what little dignity that remains. They often deny us our sleep, food, shower, and recreation. They even get violent and strike at us when they think they can get away with it. They write us disciplinary cases for petty things, or sometimes for something they made up. They even ignore us when we need medical attention. Then they laugh and joke about it. After all, we are less than human, and it is their god given right to oppress us. When it comes to the meals on death row, policy dictates 3 warm meals a day, served in our cells, of the same quality and quantity that the guards receive. We are allotted 2400 calories a day, at least in theory. In reality, the food is served cold, more often than not, and on broken and dirty food trays. The guards who serve the meals dont wear gloves or even wash their hands. Usually, the food is not even fully cooked, and we are never given as much as we are supposed to have. This may seem trivial, but to us it is very important to remain healthy. The one hour a day that we are allowed to leave our cells for recreation is spent in the dayroom, or outside. The dayroom is a cage 18x24 feet. We mostly spend this time just walking around in circles, because we are not allowed to take anything out of our cell. If we do, we get written up for trafficking and trading. Outside, the only differences are that it is a concrete room with iron bars for a roof. We are not allowed any contact with the other inmates, except the conversations we can have with those in cells close to us. We do not get any arts & craft programs, no television, and no work programs. The only things we have to break the monotony of solitary confinement are a radio, books we receive from the outside world, colored pencils, and cheap water colors. We are denied the basic human contact that is essential to keeping a healthy state of mind. But, legally, this is not cruel and unusual punishment. Visitation is one of our bigger problems. We get 2 hours a week, or certain extended special visits which are two 4hour visits, if the person visits from out of state or overseas. Only those on our visitation list may visit, and they have to be approved by TDCJ. We are only allowed 10 people on that list, and we can only change it every 6 months. This means, in average, we will be able to change it or add people 10 times, as the average life expectancy on death row is 5 years. These visits are the most cruel, inhumane punishment. Through a solid, thick sheet of glass, we can see our loved ones. To talk to them, we have to use telephones that distort their voices. Most of us will die without ever being able to touch, hug, hold our families and friends. Without ever being able to hear the true sound of their voices. Under the Death Row Plan, as outlined in the Supreme Court case Ruiz vs. Estelle, we are supposed to be allowed more privileges- namely a work program, group/ extended recreation, televisions, and in-cell arts and craft programs. Unfortunately, these privileges have been suspended indefinitely, due to an escape attempt (which failed- and when investigated was determined to be the fault of the officers due to negligence) over 5 years ago. 5 years ago, we did have these privileges (except contact visits). So what happened, and why cant we have them back? TDCJ is punishing all of us for the mistake made by 6 inmates and the officers that neglected their duty. It is not our fault they dont train their guards properly. We cannot change anything from the inside, by ourselves. We can only stand up for ourselves and not accept the way we are treated. I am taking this first step in writing to you, and by protesting our conditions by not cooperating with TDCJ officers and officials. We are asking for your support, to put forth as much or as little effort as you can. We need you to fight with us, by calling and writing the government and the administration and telling them that you will not accept the way death row is being run. To protest, if you can, or just spread the word of how we are treated and encouraging others to get involved. It is going to be a long hard road we walk down. It will require an extreme amount of energy. It is our hope that you are willing to walk it with us. To protest our conditions, please phone or write to the following people and tell them you will not stand for the current situation. We would appreciate your help. 1) Rep. Terri Hodge, P. O. Box 13084 Austin, Texas 78711. 2) A letter to Chairman and Members of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice, P. O. Box 13084, Austin, Texas 78711. 3) A letter to Warden Chuck Biscoe, Polunsky Unit, 3872 FM 350 S., Livingston, TX 77351. If youd like to get involved and like more, in-depth information, have comments, questions, advice or encouraging words, feel free to write to: Steven Woods # 999427 TDCJ Polunsky Unit 12002 SFM 350 Livingston, Texas 77351 USA ********************************************** Hondo murder trial faces delays The 4th anniversary of Bridget Townsend's disappearance likely will pass before the man who admitted killing her in 2001 faces justice. Attorneys for capital murder defendant Ramiro Gonzales filed 28 motions Wednesday before a scheduled pretrial hearing, which to the dismay of Townsend's family never occurred. "I just want it to be over," said Elizabeth Brown, 31, a cousin of the popular Bandera woman who vanished Jan. 15, 2001. "It's like we're living it all over again." The 18-year-old's fate was revealed in October 2002 when, officials say, Gonzales admitted abducting, sexually assaulting and shooting Townsend. Gonzales then led police to her remains at a Medina County ranch where he also had taken another Bandera woman at knifepoint in 2001 and raped her, officials said. The breakthrough came days after Gonzales pleaded guilty to the Bandera woman's kidnap and rape, for which he is now serving 2 life sentences. In October 2002, the eighth-grade dropout told a San Antonio Express-News reporter that he killed Townsend. His admission came, he said, because "it was time to straighten up my life." "I was tired of hiding it," he said. "I did do it. I regret it." But Gonzales, 21, pleaded not guilty to the capital murder indictment returned this February. "There are many reasons that a confession or a statement might not be accurate, admissible or reliable," defense lawyer Emmett Harris said Wednesday. The state plans to seek the death penalty if Gonzales is convicted, but Harris said, "We're gonna try to keep the man alive." District Attorney Tony Hackebeil dismissed complaints that the case is taking too long from the woman Gonzales pleaded guilty to raping. She says she won't feel safe until he's in a penitentiary. "It's not unusual for it to have taken as long as it has," Hackebeil said. The delayed adjudication also caused a strain on Townsend's 73-year-old aunt, Clara Kunkler, who said from her courtroom seat, "We just have to wait for justice." (source : San Antonio Express-News) OHIO----new execution date Ohio Supreme Court sets July execution date for convicted killer The Ohio Supreme Court on Thursday set a July execution date for a death row inmate who asked his attorneys to stop fighting for him. If executed on July 14, Stephen Vrabel of suburban Youngstown would be the 2nd Ohio death row inmate in 5 years to voluntarily abandon court appeals to speed his execution. A Mahoning County judge ruled in March that Vrabel is competent to drop his appeals. Vrabel was convicted of fatally shooting his girlfriend, Susan Clemente, and 3-year-old daughter, Lisa, in 1989, then stuffing their bodies in a refrigerator and freezer. Experts hired by prosecutors and the state public defender's office both said Vrabel was competent to drop his appeals. As a result, Vrabel's attorneys asked Mahoning County Common Pleas Judge Scott Krichbaum to waive a requirement that they also hire an expert to assess Vrabel. The judge agreed in a March ruling. "In this case there have been two independent psychological reviews, both of which have been shown him to be competent," said Kim Norris, a spokeswoman for Attorney General Jim Petro. Vrabel could still pursue federal appeals if he wished, she said. A message was left with the Ohio Public Defender's Office. Vrabel has turned down interview requests. When Ohio resumed using the death penalty in 1999, Wilford Berry was called "The Volunteer" because he dropped his appeals to become the 1st inmate executed. (source: Associated Press) DELAWARE: Vaughn shuts door on young lobbyists -- Students back bill to stop death penalty for juveniles Young people fanned out Wednesday through Legislative Hall, pushing to get a bill that would abolish the death penalty for juveniles released from a Senate committee. But they found a key door closed to them. Sen. James T. Vaughn, D-Clayton, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said he closed his office door to a trio of young lobbyists because they were interrupting a meeting he was having with Alcoholic Beverage Control Commissioner John Cordrey. Vaughn holds the bill's fate in his hands. "I told them I'd look at their signs and what they had, but that I was busy," he said. "When they didn't leave, I took their material and closed the door." Danielle Lipman, a junior at Brandywine High School, said she was surprised by Vaughn's actions. She said the students are working to pass the bill because studies show that many teens have not developed sufficient mental capacity to face execution for their actions. Vaughn said he thinks Senate Bill 70 needs more study and that he's not likely to bring it up for a vote this session. The measure is opposed by Attorney General M. Jane Brady. But the teens and the bill's sponsor, Sen. Margaret Rose Henry, D-Wilmington East, have an ally in Rep. Hazel D. Plant, D-Wilmington Central. This summer, Laquan Robinson is to go to trial for first-degree murder in the slayings of Cedric Reinford, 30, and Maneeka Plant-Davis, 24, granddaughter of Hazel Plant and the late Rep. Al O. Plant Sr. If convicted, Robinson could face the death penalty, if the jury decides the crime meets requirements in state law. Robinson was 17 at the time of the shootings. "I don't think we should take another life," Plant said. "I will go and talk to Senator Vaughn about this. I think he has a heart and I hope he will listen." (source: The News Journal) USA: Lock 'em up--America the stockade ASK YOURSELF: Are people in the United States six times more criminal than citizens of Canada, England, Mexico and other lands? Of course not. People are innately alike everywhere. Then why does America lock people in prison at a rate 6 times higher than those nations do? New figures from the U.S. Justice Department say this country's prison population grew nearly 3 percent last year, to 2.1 million - although the crime rate has declined, and most states are trying to reduce incarceration to save money. The biggest increase was in federal jailing, which grew 7 %. America's lockup rate now is 715 people per 100,000 of its population. In contrast, Canada puts 116 in cells, England confines 143 and Mexico imprisons 169. Why do those countries have so many fewer caged criminals? What's the explanation? We think this stark contrast stems from dissimilar social values. Canada, for instance, is more tolerant and accepting, compared to a judgmental climate that makes America quicker to put people in cells. Consider this comparison: Canada has no death penalty - yet President Bush set U.S. records for killing prisoners when he was Texas governor, and his brother Jeb is following the pattern in Florida. Canada is moving to legalize marijuana and same-sex marriages - but American conservatives demand that both be outlawed. Canada won't support President Bush's Iraq war, and broke with him by signing the Kyoto air pollution treaty. Canada has strict pistol controls, while the United States is saturated with hundreds of millions of guns. Canada provides universal medical care for everyone, while America leaves 44 million "working poor" folks at risk. All in all, Canada is a more humane place - even though Canada's churchgoing rate is only half of America's. Somehow, the distinct differences in values explain why Canada locks up 116 people per 100,000 of its population, and the United States jails 715. (source: The Charleston Gazette)
