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A sporadic account of my reaction to life. |
Over the years I have sporadically attempted to keep a journal. Each attempt has failed miserably. I think they expired because I established rules that were too ridgid for them. So, this attempt will bring with it very few rules. ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** There are many incredibly kind and thoughtful people in WDC. One of them is zwisis. Out of the blue she sent me this flower gift. It reminds me of the Bluebonnets of Texas. Thanks, Sarah. And, I must not forget the very talented katherine76 who created the flower...thank you. ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Well, it appears that my blog is going to the dogs. It aslo seems as if folks have gotten me pegged as a dog lover....they're right. Our very own Anyea ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** I have been fortunate to encounter many generous and kind people during my tenure in WDC. Debi Wharton ![]() ![]() ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** |
I was reading the news today and ran across an article on Terrance Gamble, who is currently serving a sentence in prison for using a gun during a burglary. The interesting thing about this case is that Terrance was tried twice for the same crime—once in an Alabama Court and once by a Federal Court. It seems his attorneys feel that is unconstitutional and places him in double jeopardy, which for untold years the courts have said is unconstitutional. I mean, the guy is guilty as hell and deserves the punishment doled out to him. But, do the authorities have the right to try him twice for the same crime? Well the question is before the US Supreme Court now and should be heard in the next week or so. This would usually be of little interest to me if it were not for the political implications it bears on todays volatile climate in Washington DC. With Paul Manafort being due for sentencing for his part in Mueller’s investigation of all things collusion and Trump, the question looms to the foreground if Trump were to give Manafort a Presidential pardon, could another State Court try Manafort again and send him to prison. I don’t know and will have to watch like the rest of you to find out. The question of double jeopardy is of interest to me for another reason. It has historical basis in my family. Yup, it happened to us. Well it was a long time ago in 1889; and was chronicled in United States vs. Robert Boutwell as heard by the US Supreme court. Robert W. Boutwell was my second cousin twice removed. Millard Ball, John Ball, and Robert Boutwell were arrested for the murder of an old man named Tom Box. There is no doubt about it; they did the dastardly deed. A Texas newspaper gave this account 129 years ago: … [the three men] are charged with the assassination of an old farmer, 75 years of age, named Tom Box in his own cornfield near his home, which is also near Burneyville, some time late Tuesday night. Box was a citizen of [the Chickasaw] nation by right of marriage, he having married a Chickasaw woman, and thereby was the possessor of a large tract of valuable property. A short time ago, Filmore [Millard] Ball, a young [man] of that section, married a daughter of Box, which made him a citizen of the Chickasaw nation also. Ball, it is claimed, did the deed to get possession of Box’s property. The three narrowly escaped lynching. According to the researchers the men were arrested and tried in the Federal Court, in Paris, Texas, where they were found guilty and sentenced to death. However it took two trials to get the job done and created an abundance of confusion and a quick appeal afterward. This case is significant in that it set legal precedent upon its appeal to the US Supreme Court. As a result of the Court’s decision, Millard Ball was found not guilty and released because of a technicality related to double jeopardy status. John Ball and Robert Boutwell were found not to share the same status and were found guilty and remanded to custody to await sentencing. The court record does not stipulate the sentences given the two men; however, the original sentences of death were overturned and jail time was given. Thirty years later, Robert was released from prison. He returned to Oklahoma to live a quiet life until his death in 1931. I sit today reflecting on the fact that in some small way, the tragic actions of my ancestor helped to define the laws of this land, which are again being examined for further refinement. ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** |