Karla Brada criminal murder case in Santa Clarita Valley by Eric Allen Earle going slow due to courtroom cutbacks - Dec 26, 2012

JR Harris's picture
Submitted by JR Harris on Fri, 01/04/2013 - 04:03

Year in review: Court cases slowly move through system amid cuts

Posted: December 26, 2012 2:00 a.m.
By Jim Holt
Signal Senior Staff Writer

Justice served for crimes committed in the Santa Clarita Valley is expected to be a lot slower, in fewer locations and with a lot less hired help in the new year, court officials report.

Courtroom cutbacks expected this spring will include the closure of courtrooms at 10 courthouse locations in Los Angeles County, including rooms in the San Fernando Superior Court where felony cases originating in the Santa Clarita Valley are heard, said Mary Eckhardt Hearn, Director of Public Information for Los Angeles Superior Court.

“It is crushing,” she said describing the upcoming cuts.

“In 2002, the Superior Court in Los Angeles had its first layoffs ever in its history,” she said. “Those layoffs pale in comparison to those seen in 2010, in 2012 and next year. Never in anybody’s wildest imagination would we think of such layoffs,” she said. “In 10 years, we will have lost a quarter of our resources.”

More layoffs

In July, The Signal reported that an estimated 341 court staffers will be affected by “across-the-board” budget cuts in four areas, according to officials at Los Angeles County Superior Court.

More cuts are coming, officials told The Signal.

“An additional round of layoffs are scheduled for June 2013,” Hearn said. “At that time the remainder of (civil) court reporters will be gone.”

Cutbacks handed down in 2010 eliminated three-fifths of the civil court reporters — those who transcribe civil court proceedings.

It meant people filing lawsuits had to pay for their own court reporters in order to acquire transcripts of the proceedings.

The last cutbacks eliminated civil reporters on three days of the working week, meaning they worked only two days of the week.

The next found of cutbacks will eliminate them completely, Hearn said.

“Civil courts are taking the biggest hit,” she said.

A look at pending criminal cases for which the residents of Santa Clarita Valley await justice, the list is long with many cases bumped from one month to the next without resolve.

When asked about courtroom cutbacks, one clerk at San Fernando Superior Court told The Signal last week: “I’m 16 years in and I’m still on the chopping block. I don’t know what it’s going to take to change things,” she said.

“Maybe when some killer goes free and kills someone else maybe, they’ll do something?”

Prominent cases

Several court cases stemming from crimes committed in the Santa Clarita Valley have been heard over several court dates, but have yet to go to trial:

{snip}

Eric Allen Earle — arrested Sept. 1, 2011, on a felony murder charge in the death of his live-in girlfriend Karla Brada. Prior to being charged with the felony, he appeared on misdemeanor charges on Sept. 6, 2011; Sept. 30, 2011; Nov. 10, 2011; Jan. 19, 2012; Apr. 12; June 6; July 20; Aug. 23; Oct. 24; Nov. 29.

He was later charged Jan. 25, 2012, with felony murder. He’s appeared in court on Apr. 12; June 6; July 20; Aug. 23; Oct. 24 and Nov. 29. He is scheduled to appear in court for his third year in January.

{snip}

jholt@signalscv.com

661-287-5527

Source: http://www.signalscv.com/section/36/article/84697/

Comments

JR Harris's picture

JR Harris

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 04:43

Eric Allen Earle is being tried for the murder of Karla Brada at the North Valley District of the San Fernando Superior Court at 900 3rd St., San Fernando, CA 91340. The courthouse is open from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, except court holidays.Court schedules of defendants can be looked up for a fee of $4.75 at:

https://www.lasuperiorcourt.org/onlineservices/criminalIndex/

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

JR Harris's picture

JR Harris

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 14:36

This may be why civil trial for Karla Brada may need money to continue the case. They are firing all of the court reporters and have also already cut them back to only 2 days a week. Any civil suits will require the lawyers to hire outside court reporters to get transcripts of the trial. Honestly, I don't know how they are going to be able to handle cases like that since without a transcript, there can be no appeal of what happened. It sounds like the court system is just trying to push more of the cost of running the court on the actual litigants.

More cuts are coming, officials told The Signal.

“An additional round of layoffs are scheduled for June 2013,” Hearn said. “At that time the remainder of (civil) court reporters will be gone.”

Cutbacks handed down in 2010 eliminated three-fifths of the civil court reporters — those who transcribe civil court proceedings.

It meant people filing lawsuits had to pay for their own court reporters in order to acquire transcripts of the proceedings.

The last cutbacks eliminated civil reporters on three days of the working week, meaning they worked only two days of the week.

The next found of cutbacks will eliminate them completely, Hearn said.

“Civil courts are taking the biggest hit,” she said.

http://www.signalscv.com/section/36/article/84697/

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

FrybreadSam (not verified)

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 14:43

I would guess the civil trial takes solicitations because Barry didn't take it on a contingency basis. I thiink a defendant would delay it until a criminal process was complete.

JR Harris's picture

JR Harris

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 14:54

Even the criminal trials only have court reporters 2 days a week and they operate 5 days a week. According to the article if the defendants want transcripts, then they have to pay for a court reporter. But you see the court reporter has to be a completely unbiased entity not associated with the defendants lawyer. This means if you go to court and want to be able to appeal a decision, you have no proof of what was said,only the disposition. It will make going to court cost more in Los Angeles if you want a trial that can get an appeal because you have to hire an unbiased court reporter to take notes.

Many times in arbitration, which is done in civil suits, no transcripts are made, only a final disposition by the arbitrator (which is usually a judge) which states who gets what and any stipulations. If there are any appeals you have to hire the arbitrator (at usually $300 to $500 an hour) to testify what they remember about the case and any notes they made.

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

Pennywise's picture

Pennywise

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 15:08

That is a good question I would have for the lawyer. Mainly, if the case is sure to net a multi-million dollar award from a deep-pocketed defendant, why not take the case for a contingency (often about 33%) and float the money up front for any costs? That seems like a no-brainer to me. Even if AAWS ultimately paid out only one million dollars, that would mean the attorney could get about $333,333. If it's such a strong case, why the heck wouldn't she front a few grand (or whatever) for a court reporter and some experts? Slam dunk wrongful death cases like this supposedly is are most plaintiffs' attorneys' wet dream.

"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."

JR Harris's picture

JR Harris

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 15:38

Well first off there is no such thing as a slam dunk case and there are multiple defendants and the only ones with deep pockets is AAWS. Many times a a judgement is made, but the defendants have no way to pay it. So ot depends on how many of the defendants get a judgement against them. Remember that the group, Intergroup and AAWS have disclaimers that need to be disputed, which will take a lot of court and lawyer time.

I can find no set costs for lawsuits in California except for uncontested divorces which is different than the Brada case which is not a legal separation of assets, it is an assignment of liability to the defendants. But for a contested divorce with as many defendants and possible witnesses that will most likely last 5 days, $50,000 most likely would not cover the court costs, court reporter costs, lawyer fees, travel and expenses. Asking for a minimal amount from your client and taking the rest on consignment is not unreasonable. In this example scenario the legal firm would be taking a gamble at still loosing $42,000.

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

FrybreadSam (not verified)

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 15:55

I guess that is tbe risk a firm would take. Penny did talk about those firms that represent you for nothing but a piece of the pie

Pennywise's picture

Pennywise

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 16:03

I don't see why. First off, the lawyer would not charge a retainer or hourly fee for her services. Why would she when she could make many times that by taking the case on contingency? This is what most lawyers do when they get a good personal injury or wrongful death case. Yes, you eat all the costs if you don't win, but that is why you don't take cases on contingency that you don't think you can win. You subpoena the lay witnesses you need and pay them for however much the court makes you. It's not much. You might have to hire experts depending on your theory of the case, but no way are we talking 50 grand or something. This is not a medically complex case requiring the testimony of multiple surgeons or something. And the reason you don't ask the client for any money upfront is because you want to keep the client and his multi million dollar case. If you ask for cash up front, the client will just go to a different lawyer who won't ask for any money up front. This, of course, assumes it is a good case. If the case has a low likelihood of success, the client will have a much more difficult time finding a lawyer willing to make the gamble.

"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."

FrybreadSam (not verified)

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 16:36

I wonder who approached the Brada family and why they chose an attorney that had so recently been censured for pursuing frivolous cases.

JR Harris's picture

JR Harris

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 16:47

Saying that this case won't cost $50,000 or more is an untrue statement.AAWS spent $118,000 on suing the German Fellowship for GIVING AWAY THE BIG BOOK. Was that a slam dunk? Even more important then that how quickly did they get the money from the AA member they destroyed for giving away the copies of the Big Book that had expired and no longer valid? You see, just because a judgement is levied, doesn't mean that you can collect the money.

I have worked with lawyers for companies I have worked for as a computer consultant on much smaller cases that 10 years ago cost in the $65,000 to $85,000 range. Are you trying to say that the cost has gone down since then? These were product liability cases also. I consider the 12 Step Intergroups, Groups and members of AA to be the product of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. (AAWS)

I have also seen in those same civil cases where judgements were made against the defendant and they didn't have any assets and little pay. By law you can only attach so much of their paycheck per week (except in the case of child support in the US) and you have to leave them enough to live on (which depends upon many factors such as the area they live in and where they work).

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

Pennywise's picture

Pennywise

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 17:47

1). AAWS has the money. Who cares about the other parties if you get AAWS?

2). Most lawyer's fees are for time. If you take the case in contingency, you are not billing for time.

3). Lawyers take much more complex wrongful death cases than this on contingency ALL THE TIME. The only reason they would not is if they did not think there was a high liklihood of success.

4). Even if there were only a 50% chance of winning, logic suggests that it is wise to spend 50K for a fifty percent chance at one million.

5). Again, lawyers take contingency cases ALL THE TIME.

"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."

Pennywise's picture

Pennywise

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 17:26

Example: http://www.marlinandsaltzman.com/Serious-Personal-Injury-and-Related-Mat...

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Our California wrongful death lawyers take cases on contingency. This means you will not have to pay attorney fees at any point in your case until we win. Either we get a favorable judgment or settlement for you, or we waive our attorney fees.
With 25 years of experience, Marlin & Saltzman, LLP is a prominent litigation firm in California. We will handle your case with skill and care.
How Does a Wrongful Death Case Work?
Wrongful death is like a personal injury case in which someone dies. In the same way a personal injury plaintiff sues the responsible party to gain compensation for the losses suffered as a result of the defendant's negligence, wrongful death plaintiffs seek compensation for the losses associated with the death of their loved one:
Loss of economic support, based on life expectancy and earning capacity
Loss of companionship — Care and love, as well as loss of consortium
Funeral and burial costs
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A wrongful death action in California can be brought by any close family member, including:
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Generally, a wrongful death action is intended to compensate the loved ones of the decedent for what they have suffered. A survival action is meant to provide compensation for what the decedent suffered. This cause of action belongs to the estate, not to the decedent's heirs. We can represent the estate or the personal representative of the deceased to recover for damages that include:
Pain and suffering from the time of the accident until the death
Property damage
Medical expenses
Punitive damages
Contact Our California Fatal Accidents Attorneys ∙ 866-779-1410 ∙ Free Consultations
Learn about your rights after losing someone you love. Although we cannot make everything alright after losing a loved one, we can help you get compensation for your losses and help bring some measure of justice back into your life and your family's life. Either call 866-779-1410 or contact us online for a free initial consultation with one of our lawyers.

"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."

Pennywise's picture

Pennywise

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 17:31

http://www.losangelesemploymentlawyer.com/Personal-Injury/Wrongful-Death...

Contact Us for a Free Initial Consultation
Call us at 310-396-0731 or send us an e-mail. Because we handle most wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis, ensuring we believe in you and your case.

"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."

causeandeffect's picture

causeandeffect

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 18:19

The website I looked at only asked for 7K. That's not a lot when you consider they are suing a multimillion $$$ corporation like AAWS which has plenty of money to spend on their attorneys. Isn't it possible that they are only asking for what they anticipate they will need in lost wages while the trial is going on and that the attorney actually has taken this on a contingency basis?

Troll free AA critical forum
http://www.expaa.org/

"The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it." ~ Neil deGrasse Tyson

Pennywise's picture

Pennywise

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 18:42

If it's only 7k, that's all the more reason not to ask for the $$ in the first place. What attorney would risk losing a million dollar contingency fee case over fucking 7k?

Here's the bottom line:

Here we have a potentially multi-million dollar case against a deep-pocketed defendant. Yet the plaintiff in the case is trying to raise 7k on the internet to advance the case. Don't you think something is bizarre about that? Usually lawyers fight to try and undercut each other's prices to get big cases like that. Why not here? If the case was strong, don't you think you'd find tons of lawyers willing to front the time to file some paperwork in exchange for 33% of that action? Just think about it once.

"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."

causeandeffect's picture

causeandeffect

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 18:49

Penny, you missed my point entirely. What I'm trying to say is that I'm sure the family will want to sit in on the proceedings, no? That would mean they would miss work, no? That would mean they would have no income, no? That would mean they wouldn't be able to the rent or the mortgage or the light bill or put gas in their car or food in their bellies. They might need the money to keep them going, not to pay an attorney.

Troll free AA critical forum
http://www.expaa.org/

"The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it." ~ Neil deGrasse Tyson

Pennywise's picture

Pennywise

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 19:28

Sorry, C&E. I misread you. You were clear, I was just reading too fast (I was at an AA meeting on my Iphone). Anyway, the answer is no. This is from the Karla site:

"The money you give is going to the Lawyers."

http://www.indiegogo.com/karlabradafund

"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."

causeandeffect's picture

causeandeffect

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 19:33

Fair enough, Pennywise. I didn't spend to much time looking at the site. In that case, 7K does sound suspicious. And regardless of whether the Bradas win or lose, cult meetings will still continue.

Troll free AA critical forum
http://www.expaa.org/

"The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it." ~ Neil deGrasse Tyson

JR Harris's picture

JR Harris

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 19:10

I think you are missing the point Penny, go after the low hanging fruit of the Sponsor and the AA group, they have no disclaimers like the rest of the chain to AAWS. If you are a low level Sponsor and member of the AA group (which have no protection due to the disclaimer above them) and you get a million dollar judgement against you I'd be pretty upset. It I were the Sponsor or the Home Group of Karla Brada or Eric Allen Earle who killed her, I would be collecting damaging and internal memos and anything else I could to put the blame on those AA groups above them that are throwing them under the bus. They may be told to only give a $100 a month at first, but it would be for life and if they make more money guess what, the monthly fee for believing that the Belladonna Atropa delusions of the Stock broker Bill Wilson will protect you is a fallacy. The AA Sponsors of Karla Brada, Eric Earle and the AA group they belong to will be held accountable and the beloved program of Alcoholics Anonymous will provide no support.

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

Pennywise's picture

Pennywise

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 19:19

"The AA Sponsors of Karla Brada, Eric Earle and the AA group they belong to will be held accountable and the beloved program of Alcoholics Anonymous will provide no support."

You say that based on what? What makes you so sure it will go down like that? Do you have citations to any CA case law that support this conclusion? More importantly, does Karla's attorney? How do you respond to all of the cases I have cited that basically say there is no duty to protect others from third party crimes?

"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."

FrybreadSam (not verified)

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 19:42

Isn't what sponsors give basically an opinion? How do you sue for that?

JR Harris's picture

JR Harris

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 20:01

Are you sure that the Sponsor of Karla Brada gave only opinions? it appears from the groups she was associated with that she was acting as a "crisis management" agent. Did she provide any transportation to the jail and/or get money out to bail Eric Earle out? Did she initiate the call to Karla as a "crisis management" person to get Earle out of Jail? Did she provide transportation to Earle back to the apartment Karla Brada owned? Was she contacted when Karla told Eric Allen Earl to leave and ignore the call or tell her to leave him there after she brought him there?

I guess the details will come out in the trial.

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

JR Harris's picture

JR Harris

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 19:52

Do you have any citations to any CA case law that don't support this conclusion? There are two sides to every argument. Simple business law, if it isn't written down as law, it isn't. AA is a business as is the Santa Clarita Intergroup because they are registered corporations. I am not too sure if the AA group of Karla Brada and Eric Allen Earle is a corporation or not. I believe that will come out at trial. Of course the Santa Clarita Valley Intergroup just registered as a corporation and have been taking in money for several years, running major events and not filing tax returns.

I do have to wonder why they just filed for corporation status? Do you think that is something that could be brought up in court?

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

JR Harris's picture

JR Harris

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 18:44

The key is "ALL THE TIME" meaning it is a slam dunk on the other cases. You're comparing apples and oranges. I'm not saying this is a slam dunk, for the following reasons. But it can cause the desired ripple effect no matter how far it advances.

1. This is a first time (landmark case) that to my knowledge has ever happened when a non corporation ever tried a lawsuit against Alcoholics Anonymous entities. (Baldwin Research and its $20 Million lawsuit against AA was a corporation, not suing about a wrongful death and it was settled out of court with a non-disclosure clause so no one knows what happened.)

2. The lawsuit is going after the Sponsor, the Group, The Intergroup, AA GSO and AAWS.)

3. Chances are the low hanging fruit will have a judgement against them and AAWS and AA GSO will remain intact due to the numerous "disclaimers" all along the trail to the root cause of AAWS publishing, promoting, advertizing and sellinjg the faulty "program."

4. AAWS will lay all blame on the lower levels (the autonomous BS done with numerous disclaimers at the AAWS, Intergroup and Group level) where they were not following the "program" that AA members claim you can take what you want and leave the rest.

5. In the Karla Brada case the Santa Clarita Valley Valley Intergroup has numerous disclaimers that they are not to blame for anything that happens in the groups below them and that AA GSO does not control them. AA GSO claims that AAWS does not control them. AA Santa Clarita even goes as far as advertizing the Stepping Stones Alano Club as a main meeting spot, but claims to have no control over them.

6. The Stepping Stones Alano Club claims it is not controlled by the Santa Clarita Valley Intergroup or AA GSO.

7. The lowest hanging fruit is the Sponsor and the AA Group which have little or no money and NO DISCLAIMERS.

8. If the Sponsor or the AA Group get a judgement against them and the Intergroup or AA GSO does not help them they will get very upset and tell all they can about them. It is the same as grabbing a low level dealer and to get a lighter sentence they inform on the people above them, which in this case would be the Intergroup and AA GSO which will lead to AAWS (which by the way have the same leader getting paid over a quarter of a million dollars a year plus expenses and retirement).

This lawsuit may not make it to the high hanging fruit, but even if it makes it to the lowest hanging fruit it will set up a precedence that at least some AA entities can be sued. Once this is done and it is heavily advertized Globally (which it is) it will get others coming forward and doing the same thing until the AA house of cards starts to fall. Remember that Rosa Parks wasn't the first Black person to try and sit at the front of the bus (many of the others were beat up and maybe even killed.

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

Pennywise's picture

Pennywise

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 19:29

"3. Chances are the low hanging fruit will have a judgement against them and AAWS and AA GSO will remain intact due to the numerous "disclaimers" all along the trail to the root cause of AAWS publishing, promoting, advertizing and sellinjg the faulty "program.""

What do you base these chances on? I've cited precedent showing why that might not be the case. Now perhaps the court will distinguish this situation or will directly overrule precedent. I don't know for sure. You are saying the chances are that it will, which I assume to mean that you believe there is a greater than 50% chance that the sponsor and/or local group will be found liable. What are you basing that on?

"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."

JR Harris's picture

JR Harris

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 19:34

What "precedent" are you basing your assumptions on? I have seen cases on Rehabs not having a responsibility to warn the public about escaped patients (http://orange-papers.org/forum/node/3057) and a non-professional non-acting therapist (a type-setter) claiming they don't have to warn either (http://orange-papers.org/forum/node/3058).

Again those are not precedents in this case. The Sponsor of Karla Brada took on the role of "crisis management" from the AA Group who belongs to the Santa Clarita Valley Intergroup who is registered as a "crisis management" organization with Guidestar in the State of California. The Sponsor and the AA group of both Eric Earle and Karla Brada took on the role of "crisis management" with no training from AA which is considered Alcohol Treatment. The chain is there and AAWS, AA GSO, AA Santa Clarita are throwing them under the bus.

They better start saving all of their emails, memos and newsletters to prove that they did it because they believed they would be protected by the entities above them. Otherwise they will end up paying for it instead of the ones responsible for enabling this dangerous environment.

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

Pennywise's picture

Pennywise

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 19:34

Don't forget the precedent holding that AA members were not counselors. It seems your whole case falls apart if you fail to convince a judge that AA members are practicing therapists.

"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."

JR Harris's picture

JR Harris

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 19:41

You didn't give a precedent that AA members in California are not coincided counselors if they are registered, promoted and advertised as a "crisis management" corporation with the state of California. Did they run a hotline for Santa Clarita AA or perform any other duties?

Remember, the Jurisdiction and the actions of the defendants is what matters. They will both go through the acid test in this case and have the possibility of becoming their own precedent...

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

FrybreadSam (not verified)

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 19:52

A hotline is established simply to give meeting locations. It isn't crisis management. Most callers are vacationers looking for a meeting.

Pennywise's picture

Pennywise

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 20:05

I give up. We'll just have to wait and see.

"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."

FrybreadSam (not verified)

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 20:06

Jr, do you know if an addiction counselor needs to be licensed in Ca? Certified is one thing, but does CA have a licensing requirement?

Pennywise's picture

Pennywise

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 20:20

But look, I'm sure at some point someone in the USA (maybe in CA even) has sued a crisis hotline. I'm not inclined to research it, and I'm sure you could distinguish and refute anything I found anyway. (That's not a bad trait, mind you. Distinguishing your case is a skill every advocate should possess.) But if you are so inclined, maybe you could research it and possibly find something helpful?

"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."

JR Harris's picture

JR Harris

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 20:34

Actually here is a lawsuit to a hotline, but it's for over reacting to the call. Poor guy..... it's just an interesting story.....

https://www.courthousenews.com/2012/02/06/43643.htm

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

Pennywise's picture

Pennywise

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 20:37

Yeah, that would suck.

"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."

FrybreadSam (not verified)

Sat, 01/05/2013 - 06:18

I cant get the link to open, but I have heard of 911 being sued when the dispatcher thought a kid was pranking, but not simply because 911 existed.

massive's picture

massive

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 21:56

I agree Jr it will be a Landmark case. Then many will come forward and start suing all over the US and Canada.

Massive

FrybreadSam (not verified)

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 19:45

"Tell all they know about them?". Like what, JR?

live_free_or_die's picture

live_free_or_die

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 18:39

The General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous, Inc. has the money. The written policy of the Trustees is that all excess cash from AAWS and AAGV is to be transferred to the GSB, for safekeeping. Safekeeping in this sense means to fund the salaries, pension plan & post-retirement benefits of those blessed enough to have them. The AANY pension & post-retirement health benefits rival what top executives at Fortune 100 corporations get.

Although I am sure that insurance is in place for AAWS, the cash is at the GSB level.

Alcoholics Anonymous: MyNotGodHasItCovered®
http://www.expaa.org/
http://bereanresearch.com/
http://badrecovery.blogspot.com/
NOT AA:
Rational Recovery, SOS, HAMS
http://alcoholabusesolutions.com/

massive's picture

massive

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 22:05

Pennywise.....The General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous , Inc. has the money FYI :)

Massive

massive's picture

massive

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 20:49

The criminal case is different then the civil case . The DA reps Karla for the criminal case and Patricia Barry is currently handling the civil case although there might be other attorneys involved.

More will be revealed....hahaha

Massive

Pennywise's picture

Pennywise

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 20:58

Not to sound pedantic, but the DA represents the People, not Karla. This is important because when that scumbag killed her, he committed a wrong not just against her, but also against society as a whole. Any word on whether they'll be seeking the death penalty? I sure hope so.

"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."

massive's picture

massive

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 21:57

I dont know. I will be going to court with the family. More will be revealed...

Massive

JR Harris's picture

JR Harris

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 21:12

Actually the criminal case will fill in a lot of the blanks. they usually call a lot of witnesses that were involved and find out where they were, what they heard and what they did. Meaning that AA members such as Karlas Sponsor Joanne Frye may be called as well as her husband Patrick Frye as well as any other AA members that knew anything about the situation. It will establish a timeline of what happened, especially if Earle pleads not guilty for some reason (such as insanity, being an alcoholic, etc...). If Earle tries to play the I'm an Alcoholic Card, his entire group may end up telling everything they know about the situation. If he tries to claim that he was going to AA as "treatment" that could tie the Intergroup in pretty easy.

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

Pennywise's picture

Pennywise

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 21:26

My guess--and that is all it is--is that he'll make a deal with the DA. I hope not, though.

"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."

JR Harris's picture

JR Harris

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 21:51

I think it depends a lot on if they want life w/o parole or the death penalty and if they want to go for manslaughter or premeditated murder. Even if he has a public defender they will probably try to go for manslaughter as a crime of passion and diminished capacity due to alcoholism. It depends if the DA will go for that or not.

I was at a trial once years ago where a burglar hid in the back room of a store and thought everyone left and went out to find the attendant still there and he killed him with a pocket knife. It was a cold case that was about 6 years old, when someone informed on the guy and he was arrested. I was on the jury pool but was dismissed because I knew the owner of the place and had heard the story. I stayed and listened to it because I knew that many of the people that knew the victim. I don't remember what level the actual charge ended up at, but the guy had a public defender and wanted to go to trial to prove manslaughter, meaning the guy didn't go there actually to kill anyone, just rob them and the DA wanted murder during a crime. They brought everyone in that had seen the guy 6 years earlier in the area and they told what they saw. the trial lasted 4 days and the guy got murder instead of manslaughter and life without parole. They got into it very detailed.

I have the feeling that this is what may happen in this case. Of course it could be like the murder of Danita Brown by AA member Bod Ryder in Lewiston, Maine 2-3 years ago when he left the 12 Hour Alano club with his Sponsor Floyd Nadeau looking for women. Floyd knew about the murder and it took two weeks for him to go to the police about it because of the "confidentiality agreement" in AA which is not legally binding. Ryder pleaded not guilty, then changed it to guilty and is now going trough a psych eval before sentencing. We'll have to see.

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

Pennywise's picture

Pennywise

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 22:00

If this is not a death penalty case, I don't know what is. Premeditation to kill can occur in a second. I hope the DA takes it all the way instead of giving some lame plea. Let the jury decide, but go for it.

"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."

FrybreadSam (not verified)

Sat, 01/05/2013 - 06:33

Timing is everything, Jr. So is money. It also depends on the DA and how he best sees a winninh strategy. You have just said there are numerous cutbacks in money and manpower. It was in our paper that guys case was thrown out because of the defendants right to a speedy trial, and it had taken four years to get to trial.

FrybreadSam (not verified)

Sat, 01/05/2013 - 06:23

My point is that anything in the criminal case could be used to the benefit of the civil case so I wouldn't rush it. Of course, the standard is different for civil than criminal, so maybe it doesn't matter.

FrybreadSam (not verified)

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 15:14

I would guess the civil trial takes solicitations because Barry didn't take it on a contingency basis. I thiink a defendant would delay it until a criminal process was complete.

JR Harris's picture

JR Harris

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 15:09

Court reporters were suspended in LA Superior Court Civil cases as of May 15, 2012, so any Civil Suit will require an Independant Court Reporter to be hired.

Los Angeles Superior Court: New Court Reporter Availability

Posted by Lili Daniel on Wed, May 16, 2012 @ 11:01 AM

Due to state budget cuts, the reduction of court reporters is one of the areas that will be affected in Los Angeles Superior Courts. Effective May 15, 2012, there will be no more official court reporters available for civil trials, but official court reporters will normally be available for general jurisdiction morning calendar matters until June 15, 2012.

Parties have the ability to arrange to hire personal certified shorthand reporters to be the official court reporter where an official court reporter is not normally unavailable by stipulation and order. You can obtain the Court Approved Stipulation and order form post in the LASC website and available in the clerk’s office.

Also, parties have the ability to privately hire a court reporter through the Court approved official court reporter list without a stipulation. The names and contact information for the list of Court approved reporters will be available on or about July 1, 2012.

To see more information about court reporter availability in Los Angeles Superior Court please visit:

http://www.lasuperiorcourt.org/courtreporter/ui/

Source: http://community.onelegal.com/bid/83683/Los-Angeles-Superior-Court-New-C...

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

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