June 9, 2015 — Where have I been?
Back surgery–fusion–hospital, nursing home, now home. Long recovery ahead.
That did not mean I wasn’t keeping track cases; I was, but there was little for me to write about…and besides, it hurts to type.
I thank God for the verdict in the Joel Battaglia murder case. There is much to be said and I’ll get to some of it. Thank you to al involved in the investigation and prosecution…from 1990 until today.
Amen
http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2015/06/justice_comes_after_25_years_a.html
After 25 years, the wait is over for the family of Joel Battaglia. A jury, which initially indicated it was unable to reach a verdict, finally declared Aurelias Marshal guilty of murder.
I worked with Joel before he left for CA. I was very sad to hear of his death after he had returned to MI. I thought about him often and frequently checked in the news to see if anything had come up in his case. I am glad to see that this time at least justice has been served.
Was the missing wallet of Joe BATTAGLIA ever recovered? Wasn’t there a witness watching out the window as this took place? Seems again like there are questions unanswered! When you listen to eyewitness accounts and see how this jury struggled and you look at how the jury didn’t in the Jones trial it really makes you wonder how many innocent people are being locked up in these cold cases where it truthfully seems that closure for these hurting families outweighs all else! It is really scarry to think and wonder about the tactics being used to conquer the quest for justice! Michigan is solving cold cases at an alarming rate and this should raise some eyebrows and questions!
No, the wallet never was recovered. And yes, Sheila Reed was watching out the window and saw Aurelias Marshall beating someone. But she worked with Marshall and feared him. So, she didn’t talk for 25 years, even when the Battaglia’s came to her door short;y after the murder and begged for her help. Yes, I am sure there are other innocent people in prison; that’s why I’m glad we do NOT have a death penalty–it’s hard to get a do-over. But I believe the numbers are few. As for the “alarming rate” of new solves of cold cases has a lot to do with the investigative subpoena, DNA, and other advances in law enforcement. When Sheila Reed faced life in prison for perjury, that had to make an impact on her thinking.
If you think that Skip and Pauly are innocent then you need to get your head our of your ass and talk about something you know about not the bullshit they print in the paper.
It was known that a witness heard an argument and saw several black men beating a white man from nearly day one. She said at the time that she could not identify the assailants.