Remember those puzzles when you were a kid, the drawings with the caption “What is wrong with this picture?” Was it hard to find what didn’t belong in the picture?
Well, I am about to give you a hint.
To begin:
Judge tosses arrest of cop accused in fatal DUI crash
--Daarel Burnette II and Rex W. Huppke
For more than two years, the families of two young men killed in a Thanksgiving Day collision with an off-duty Chicago police officer have fought to prove the officer was drunk and responsible for the deaths.
But Tuesday, a Cook County judge handed them their latest setback, saying the officer was arrested and detained without probable cause, a ruling the families fear guts the prosecution's case.
Circuit Judge Thomas Gainer ruled police had no probable cause to arrest off-duty Officer John Ardelean, 36.
The judge harshly criticized police Lt. John Magruder, who ordered Ardelean arrested a few hours after the crash when he said he detected alcohol on his breath and noticed bloodshot eyes.
A year ago Gainer was involved in another controversial ruling when he acquitted three Chicago police officers in an off-duty beating of several businessmen in a West Loop bar.
Ardelean initially was charged with misdemeanor drunken driving, but by January 2008 the charges were upgraded to felony counts of aggravated driving under the influence.
Prosecutors cited a video recording from a nightclub they said showed Ardelean drinking three beers and four shots in a little more than two hours. Shortly after that, his SUV slammed into the victims' car at Damen and Oakdale avenues while traveling more than 60 mph, authorities said.
The next month, a judge dismissed the charges, not convinced by a prosecution expert who calculated that Ardelean's blood-alcohol level at the time of the crash would have been above the legal threshold. He had been ordered by a superior to give a Breathalyzer test nearly eight hours after the crash, but Ardelean was well below the legal threshold.
By May 2008 prosecutors told the families they were dropping the investigation because of insufficient evidence.
But three months later, following pressure from the families and some politicians, the state's attorney's office reopened the probe after a video aired on TV showing a woman pouring a drink down Ardelean's throat and the officer grabbing a beer as he left Martini Ranch, a River North bar.
The next month, Ardelean was charged with two counts of reckless homicide and four counts of aggravated DUI.
The state's attorney's office said in a statement that prosecutors will review the judge's ruling and decide their next step.
Read the entire story at: http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/04/key-evidence-thrown-out-in-cops-dui-arrest.html
Judge Thomas Gainer, Jr. So with this ruling what should we expect from Judge Thomas Gainer, Jr when it comes to the case he is also presiding over regarding the murder of someone’s beloved tiny Shih Tzu dog.
Keith Middleton is accused of throwing his girlfriend’s little 4 pound dog against a door, causing head injuries resulting in having the little dog being put down.
http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/02/man-accused-of-throwing-girlfriends-dog-against-door.html
Ah, but wait. It gets better. Judge Thomas Gainer, Jr has a history with Keith Middleton.
On September 28, 2009 Judge Thomas Gainer, Jr found Keith Middleton not guilty of battery charges.
The judge decided to believe Middleton’s story over the victim’s story. “Decided to believe” . . . That pretty much covers what happened. “Decided to believe” . . . Although the victim had no prior run-ins with the law and Middleton has had one rape, one drug conviction, and one weapons conviction, PLUS the upcoming the killing of a little four pound dog charge.
Judge Jr. Gainer projects his own “theories”. He should have gone into fiction writing . . . although he would have been a failure at that because his main character would be way too unlikable.
Up until this ruling of not guilty on the battery charge, Keith Middleton was in custody with a $170,000 bond.
Then came a bond hearing to reduce bond.
Middleton’s attorney asked for an I-Bond. The judge asked the ASA for a history. The ASA listed: One rape, one drug conviction, and one weapons conviction. Then she proceeded to explain about how Middleton killed the four pound dog by throwing it against a door. The ASA then handed the judge the paperwork on the protective order (keeping him away from his former girlfriend) served on Middleton, and yes, it is still in effect.
Without a beat, this judge, instantly, not exaggerating here, said: “Bail reduced.”
Why did mr. judge Jr Gainer even bother asking for Middleton’s history? It was dreadfully obvious he had already made up his mind. He just had to do it somewhat legally I suppose.
From a bond of $175,000 to $30,000 is a way of opening another revolving door jail cell for someone else.
Keith Middleton is out on bond. Recently Middleton was again arrested on another charge, but is again out.
The trial date for Keith Middleton, with regards to the murder of the little Shih Tzu dog, is set for Monday, August 16, 2010. Location, 26th and California, Room 302. Time, 9:30.
Judge Thomas Gainer, Jr will be presiding.
Just like those pictures we had as children. No matter how many times we were able to find what didn’t belong, the picture still remained the same.
