A Martial Artist’s Guide To Legal Self-Defense
by Thomas D. Davenport, Jr.
My journey in martial arts began with learning Taekwondo under Jon and Penny Wilson and earning a blackbelt in 1989. Decades later, I began learning 7 Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu under Sifu James Mclin of Legendary Kung Fu and Tai Chi, L.L.C. While learning a martial art is intended as a positive benefit, that knowledge could be negatively construed against the martial artist when it comes to self-defense or defense of others.
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Letter to the Editor: Prosecutorial Overcharging
By Nikki Madison
To the citizens of Natchitoches,
Last week, Billy Joe Harrington announced the jury conviction in a Natchitoches homicide case in the 10th Judicial District Court.
What was not mentioned in the media release was the original billed charge of second-degree murder. The citizens of Natchitoches should be aware that the grand jury and Detective Trent Perritt overcharged Onterio Pier.
The defendant claimed since day one that this was an accident. The arresting police officer Detective Trent Perritt stated in public court during the defendant’s voluntary statement, “I believe you.” The defendant stated that this was an accident several times, and that story has never changed.
The district attorney billed the defendant with second-degree murder, which carries a LIFE sentence, with the statement from the police and other witnesses who Detective Trent Perritt also stated in public court, “Your statement is very similar to what the witnesses have said.”
The District Attorney’s plea deal was offered on the day of jury selection with a guilty plea and a 30-year sentence with no appeal rights. The defendant declined this offer.
Attorney Jonathan Goins represented the defendant along with Co-counsels Attorney Christopher LaCour, and Attorney Bridgett Brown. After the case’s arguments, the jury returned with a unanimous decision to allow the lesser charge of negligent homicide, which carries a maximum allowed sentence of 5 years. Assistant District Attorneys J. Chris Guillet and Jason Methvin prosecuted the case.
The public shall be made aware of prosecutorial overcharging. Prosecutors practice this act to coerce a guilty plea. In this case, second-degree murder, which carries a LIFE sentence, was used to intimidate the defendant into accepting a guilty plea and serving 30 years without a possibility of any future appeals. Additionally, the Prosecutor attempted to prosecute the defendant for a more serious crime than the known facts supported.
The public shall be aware and remember acts like this when it is time to vote!
Let your voice be heard!
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Case dismissed against Jasper ISD teacher accused of making student ‘eat feces’
JASPER, Texas — The court has dismissed the case against a Jasper Independent School District kindergarten teacher who was accused of mistreating a student by causing him to eat his own feces.
67-year-old Mamie Aplon, of Jasper, was arrested around November 2019 after a grand jury indicted her on a misdemeanor charge of “official oppression.”
Prosecutors say she subjected a child to mistreatment that caused the boy to “eat his own feces.”
The alleged crime happened September 25, 2019 at Few Primary School.
Aplon’s lawyer released a statement Tuesday highlighting the teacher’s record and says the dismissal of the lawsuit is “only the beginning.”
RELATED: Jasper kindergarten teacher accused of causing student to eat his feces
READ | Lawyer Jonathan D. “Jay” Goins’ full statement to 12News:
Mrs. Aplon has taught and nurtured the lives of tens of thousands of students in her 40 plus year teaching career.
Prior to this embarrassing arrest, Mrs. Aplon enjoyed a supreme and unblemished record in the classroom. She prided herself on enhancing the educational experience of low-income children and making sure their basic needs were met as they grew and developed under her instruction.
However, this ridiculous allegation will be brought up whenever her name is mentioned all because Jasper ISD and the Jasper Police Department failed to conduct a proper and fair investigation. We are not finished in our pursuit for justice. In fact, the criminal charge dismissal that we expected is only the beginning.
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