Police killer Maurice Clemmons' accomplices sentenced
TACOMA, Wash. -- A Pierce County judge sentenced three friends and family memebers of Maurice Clemmons Friday for their actions following the murder of four Lakewood police officers.
In November 2009, Clemmons shot and killed Sergeant Mark Renniger and Officers Tina Griswold, Greg Richards and Ronald Owens at a Parkland coffee shop.
In December 2010, a jury convicted Clemmons' aunt, Letrecia Nelson, on one count of rendering criminal assistance. Nelson was accused of helping Clemmons hide from police after the killings. Pierce County Judge Stephanie Arend sentenced Nelson to six years in prison.
The same jury found Eddie Davis, Clemmons' cousin, guilty of rendering criminal assistance. Prosecutors said he gave Clemmons rides and lied to police about knowing where Clemmons had been while on the run. Police said Davis had been in possession of one of the officer's guns, which had been taken by Clemmons.
Douglas Davis, a friend of Clemmons, was found guilty of unlawful possession of that firearm.
Eddie Davis received a sentence just under 10 and half years and Judge Arend sentenced Douglas Davis to seven and a half years.
Fiancee slain Lakewood Police Officer Chris Matlosz speaks out about loss
LAKEWOOD — The fiancee of Lakewood Police Officer Chris Matlosz who was fatally shot Friday afternoon expressed her devastation over the loss of her husband-to-be. "Chris was my best friend and soulmate. We did everything together. In the last 4 years, we both lived our life to the fullest," Walsifer said in a statement. Kelly Walsifer and Matlosz were supposed to be married in June 2012. "He was my life and my world. He made me laugh, he made others laugh, and we have been surrounded by the best of friends and co-workers throughout our time together," said Walsifer. "He just lost his father and now it brings me some peace to know that he is with him." A Facebook page created in memory of Matlosz had more seven thousand followers just before 6 p.m. today who expressed condolences to his family. Many of them had changed their profile pictures to the Lakewood police crest adorned with a blue and black line, some bearing Matlosz's badge number: 317.
Drowning Pool 'Devastated' Arizona Killer Played Its 'Bodies' Song
Hard-rockers Drowning Pool say they are "devastated" that the band's 2001 single, "Bodies," was featured in a YouTube video posted by Arizona killer Jared Lee Loughner, the 22-year-old who on Saturday (Jan. 8) went on a shooting rampage that killed six people and gravely injured Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.
In a statement posted on its official website Monday, the Dallas metal band says, "We were devastated to learn of the tragic events that occurred in Arizona and that our music has been misinterpreted, again...For someone to put out a video misinterpreting a song about a mosh pit as fuel for a violent act shows just how sick they really are. We support those who do what they can to keep America safe. Our hearts go out to the victims and their families of this terrible tragedy."
"Bodies," the lead single from Drowning Pool's debut album, "Sinner," also marked the band's debut on the Billboard charts. The track peaked at No. 6 on the Mainstream Rock Songs chart dated Aug. 25, 2001, and No. 12 on the Alternative Songs tally dated Sept. 22 that same year. This is not the first time that the song has inadvertently become the soundtrack to a tragic shooting. In 2003, 19-year-old Joshua Cookie murdered his parents while playing "Bodies," which prominently features the lyrics, "let the bodies hit the floor," in his headphones.
"'Bodies' was written about the brotherhood of the mosh pit and the respect people have for each other in the pit," Drowning Pool explained in its statement, citing its performances for U.S. troops overseas and petitioning for a Mental Health Care Reform Bill in Congress as evidence that it is does note promote violence. "If you push others down, you have to pick them back up. It was never about violence. It's about a certain amount of respect and a code."
A Washington Post article discussing Loughner's connection to "Bodies" led the band to post a follow-up statement on Tuesday, in which it again expressed displeasure with being linked to violent acts.
"We find it inappropriate to imply that our song or rock music in general is to blame for this tragic event," the band said. "It is premature to make this assumption without having all the facts in the case.
"Listening to Drowning Pool music does not make you a bad person," the band continued. "Misleading people does."
Psycho Killer Smiles For Mug Shot And First Court Appearance – With Video
Jared Loughner, the man accused of the Tucson massacre that left six dead and injured 14 others, appeared in a packed courtroom today shackled and in khaki prison garb, appearing to smirk as he stood before the judge. Federal officials released Loughner’s mug shot, showing smiling into the camera despite hints of a black eye. “Yes, I am Jared Lee Loughner,” said Loughner, with a freshly shaved head, when the Judge Lawrence Anderson asked him to confirm his identity. Holding up a financial affidavit, Anderson asked the Loughner, “I can’t read your signature. I know how hard it is to sign with handcuffs on. Did you sign this?” Loughner, with a scar on the side of his head, leaned forward to look at the paper and responded, “”Yes I signed it. Mrs. Clarke did help me out.” Mrs. Clarke refers to his court appointed public defender, Judy Clarke. Every federal judge in the southern district of Arizona recused themselves from the case because one of Loughran’s alleged victims was federal judge John Roll. Clarke said that she objects to “further proceedings in Arizona” on behalf of Loughner, but did not object to her client being remanded without bail. The judge told the courtroom that Loughner was a “danger to the community” before saying, “Good to you” and adjourning the session. About 80 reporters and 25 federal marshalls packed the courtroom, which appeared to be void of any of Loughner’s relatives. Loughner’s next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 24. This is the first time Loughner has said anything since Saturday’s shooting. Investigators said that Loughner had refused to speak to them since his arrest. Loughner so far faces five federal charges, one count of attempted assassination of a member of Congress, two counts of killing an employee of the United States and two counts of intent to kill employees of the United States. If convicted of murdering either of the federal employees, Loughner could be sentenced to death or be given life in prison. Among the injured is Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, the target of alleged gunman Jared Loughner’s shooting rampage. Giffords remains in critical condition in a medically induced coma and with part of her skull removed to ease pressure on her brain.
Loughner has invoked his right to remain silent for the last 48 hours, saying “not a word,” Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik said.
Dupnik said investigators believe Loughner acted alone and is not part of a broader conspiracy.
“This individual is a very troubled individual…who is a loner,” Dupnik said. “We’re still actively pursuing any activities that he might have been involved in. I’m not aware of any ties he had to any group.”
Giffords was hosting a “Congress on your Corner” event outside a Tucson Safeway grocery store Saturday when Loughner allegedly went on a shooting spree.
Public defenders are asking that renowned San Diego attorney Judy Clarke represent Loughner. She previously defended “Unabomber” Ted Kaczynski, Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh, and convicted child killer Susan Smith.
Jared Loughner, the Tucson man accused of shooting Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and 19 others Saturday, appeared in federal court Monday afternoon with a smirk on his lips and a red strawberry bruise on the right side of his forehead.
Loughner, 22, stood before U.S. Magistrate Lawrence Anderson and answered questions in a deep, resonant voice. He was wearing a tan detention uniform and his head looked shaven.
Anderson informed Loughner of the penalties he could face if he is found guilty of the crimes. He could receive a life or death sentence if convicted of the murders of U.S. District Judge John Roll and Gabe Zimmerman, a Giffords aide.
Loughner could receive up to life in prison if convicted of shooting Giffords, and up to 20 years in convicted in the shootings of two other congressional aides.
As expected, Anderson appointed noted defense attorney Judy Clarke of San Diego as Loughner’s attorney.
Clarke stood next to the defendant at the lectern, standing at least half a head higher than Loughner himself.
Clarke waived a detention hearing and Anderson, on the recommendation of Assistant U.S. Attorney Wallace Kleindienst, remanded Loughner to detention pending a Jan. 24 hearing.
Federal judges from the Southern District of Arizona all recused themselves from hearing the case because Roll was their colleague. Clarke asked Anderson to exclude the rest of the Arizona bench as well.
“There is great concern with proceeding any further than today with Arizona judges,” Clarke said.
Clarke also asked that the U.S Attorney’s Office in Phoenix be conflicted out of the case.
Anderson told her to file the appropriate motions.
As the hearing ended, Anderson turned to the defendant and said, “Good luck to you, Mr. Loughner. We are adjourned.”
Police officers and Department of Homeland Security agents were deployed all afternoon around the Sandra Day O’Connor Federal Courthouse in Phoenix, where Loughner made his initial appearance at 2 p.m.
Loughner also is expected to face a series of charges in state courts.
Well before the time of his initial appearance, roughly half a dozen officers and their vehicles were posted outside the courthouse along with local police in small groups.
Nearby, members of the local and national media clustered under trees and a bank of cameras was standing sentry outside the courthouse at Fourth Avenue and Washington Street.
There did not appear to be any protesters, though there were a few curious bystanders.
Among the curious was Marilou Fellman, 61, of Phoenix, who had been called downtown to jury duty at another courthouse. During a 15-minute break, she walked to the federal courts to observe the activity.
“I’m grief stricken, as many Arizonans and Americans are,” Fellman said.
LAKEWOOD — The fiancee of Lakewood Police Officer Chris Matlosz who was fatally shot Friday afternoon expressed her devastation over the loss of her husband-to-be.
