Berrien County trial court’s vicious attack on a Black family
By Tiffany Henderson
On May 15, 2010, my life changed when my father Eddie Peek (61-year old Black man) was killed by a drunken driver Paige Karsten (21-year-old white female) at 2:21am while Eddie was at work for the [Berrien County, Michigan newspaper] Herald Palladium. Since his death, my family and I have had to deal with a prosecuting attorney by the name of Michael Sepic who believes (and has said to the victim’s family) that “poor Paige,” the drunken murderer, “has suffered enough.” He has told the victim’s family that Paige Karsten’s speeding on I-94 with a blood alchol level of 2.17 was not egregious enough to be charged with second degree murder — only because she is white.
When this journey started I had faith that the judicial system would prevail, but now four months later, I pray for a higher justice. In my 37 years of being a Black woman I have been exposed to prejudices of all types but never so blatant, demoralizing and relentless as what the Berrien County Judicial system has exposed, the very system that is supposed to be for the people, all of the people.
My journey will continue and only GOD knows how it will end and my faith is still strong but my essence has changed. I pray that this tragedy will be the start of a new journey and will change the essence of many for the betterment of minorities in Benton Harbor.
http://www.peoplestribune.org/PT.2010.11/PT.2010.11.12.shtml
Friday, January 21, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
The following was sent to this website regarding Scott Sanford and Berrien County public defenders:
Scott Sanford is a piece of shit. People should stop agreeing to be represented by Scott "representing the court" Sanford. If no one pays him, then he has no one other than is private clients to represent. Unfortunately this is a break in our educational system. We have to teach people in our communities that you cannot get good criminal defense
(even when you think you're innocent) by a "court appointed" attorney. They represent the hand that feeds them. I told mr. sanford before that he didn't earn his fees, and he said I need to take it up with the court, but I'm quite sure I paid for his representation. I told him I don't care how they split the pie, the fact is that I paid for representation and all I got was thrown under the bus. And it wasn't the first time I had a public defender who attempted to feed me to the wolves. I would never do it again. For those people who haven't had the experience or are currently going through some type of legal issue, they have to be warned that public defenders are only there to make sure the court gets as much money out of you as possible. You can't come out any worse by choosing to represent yourself, or spending a few days in jail or paying the same amount of money to retain private counsel.
Scott Sanford is a piece of shit. People should stop agreeing to be represented by Scott "representing the court" Sanford. If no one pays him, then he has no one other than is private clients to represent. Unfortunately this is a break in our educational system. We have to teach people in our communities that you cannot get good criminal defense
(even when you think you're innocent) by a "court appointed" attorney. They represent the hand that feeds them. I told mr. sanford before that he didn't earn his fees, and he said I need to take it up with the court, but I'm quite sure I paid for his representation. I told him I don't care how they split the pie, the fact is that I paid for representation and all I got was thrown under the bus. And it wasn't the first time I had a public defender who attempted to feed me to the wolves. I would never do it again. For those people who haven't had the experience or are currently going through some type of legal issue, they have to be warned that public defenders are only there to make sure the court gets as much money out of you as possible. You can't come out any worse by choosing to represent yourself, or spending a few days in jail or paying the same amount of money to retain private counsel.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Judge Charles Lasata plays doctor
Buckle your seat belt and breathe deeply.
Beverly Lewis from Benton Harbor has only a third grade education due to severe epilepsy and a school system lacking resources. She suffers several seizures per day and is heavily medicated. Needless to say, Ms. Lewis, late 30's, is physically and mentally handicapped. (Her father happens to be the deceased wrestler, Bo Bo Brazil.)
On January 5, 2011, Ms. Lewis attended the infamous Berrien County courthouse for allegedly attacking a woman. Judge Lasata, suddenly playing the role of court physician, told Ms. Lewis that she fakes the seizures she has lived with for decades.
She was unlucky enough to have public defender Scott Sanford as counsel.
Court watchers cannot think of a case Sanford has won in a decade, and know him primarily for saying the words, "Plead guilty." Ms. Lewis has led an exemplary life, has never even received a parking ticket, but was forced to plead guilty to this crime which she did not commit.
At first she did refuse, but after Sanford hit her in the face with some papers and told her he would see that she spent the rest of her life in prison, she didn't know any better than to plead guilty. We can say with confidence that the main goal of the courthouse is to imprison for life as many BH residents as possible.
In the county jail, two days later, she sent word that she needed some assistance, so, true to common Berrien County jail practice, a guard was sent to beat her up.
Judge Lasata must be stopped.
The story ends here for now. It is our constitutional duty to hold law enforcement and courts accountable for their actions, inactions, and wrongdoing. We must fight for justice.
There is a saying in Berrien County: Do not fight Whirlpool. Why? They can
financially ruin you and do great harm to you and your family. Whirlpool controls every aspect of Berrien, including the courthouse and judges.
Buckle your seat belt and breathe deeply.
Beverly Lewis from Benton Harbor has only a third grade education due to severe epilepsy and a school system lacking resources. She suffers several seizures per day and is heavily medicated. Needless to say, Ms. Lewis, late 30's, is physically and mentally handicapped. (Her father happens to be the deceased wrestler, Bo Bo Brazil.)
On January 5, 2011, Ms. Lewis attended the infamous Berrien County courthouse for allegedly attacking a woman. Judge Lasata, suddenly playing the role of court physician, told Ms. Lewis that she fakes the seizures she has lived with for decades.
She was unlucky enough to have public defender Scott Sanford as counsel.
Court watchers cannot think of a case Sanford has won in a decade, and know him primarily for saying the words, "Plead guilty." Ms. Lewis has led an exemplary life, has never even received a parking ticket, but was forced to plead guilty to this crime which she did not commit.
At first she did refuse, but after Sanford hit her in the face with some papers and told her he would see that she spent the rest of her life in prison, she didn't know any better than to plead guilty. We can say with confidence that the main goal of the courthouse is to imprison for life as many BH residents as possible.
In the county jail, two days later, she sent word that she needed some assistance, so, true to common Berrien County jail practice, a guard was sent to beat her up.
Judge Lasata must be stopped.
The story ends here for now. It is our constitutional duty to hold law enforcement and courts accountable for their actions, inactions, and wrongdoing. We must fight for justice.
There is a saying in Berrien County: Do not fight Whirlpool. Why? They can
financially ruin you and do great harm to you and your family. Whirlpool controls every aspect of Berrien, including the courthouse and judges.
Monday, January 10, 2011
The following was anonymously sent to this website:
FYI: I just found out that BHPD Detective Smigielski and BCSD Officer O'Brien beat the snot out of some guy after leaving a bar in St. Joe. I am not sure when this allegedly happened, but apparently they were drunk after leaving the bar and went after this guy for something that happened earlier that night. From what I hear, they roughed him up pretty good and it got swept under the rug by fellow officers and administrative. It sounds like they paid him off and paid his medical bills or something to keep him quiet. This should be brought out.
FYI: I just found out that BHPD Detective Smigielski and BCSD Officer O'Brien beat the snot out of some guy after leaving a bar in St. Joe. I am not sure when this allegedly happened, but apparently they were drunk after leaving the bar and went after this guy for something that happened earlier that night. From what I hear, they roughed him up pretty good and it got swept under the rug by fellow officers and administrative. It sounds like they paid him off and paid his medical bills or something to keep him quiet. This should be brought out.
Friday, January 07, 2011
Whirlpool, Rep. Fred Upton, and former Gov. Granholm knew just what they were doing when they force-fed state "financial mngr." Joseph Harris to Benton Harbor, Michigan. No more self-determination for Benton Harbor. The city is run by this outsider who has no interest whatsoever in the lives of residents. Harris is paid $132K per year to make certain BH is turned into corporate la-la land...Harbor Shores, Harbor Town...and corporate playgrounds don't include the land in it's wondrous natural beauty, only manicured, chemicalized, and covered with cement. Harris's only supervisor is now Whirlpool, although they make sure his paycheck comes from BH taxpayers. BH City Commissioners know this.
Today's Detroit Free Press: Council feuds with emergency manager
The Benton Harbor City Commission can pass resolutions to hand over power to Mayor Wilce Cooke, but it will have no effect, emergency financial manager Joseph Harris said Wednesday.
The commission passed a resolution on Monday establishing an administrative emergency and giving Cooke authority over the city. It said Harris gives preferential treatment to white contractors and meets with local white officials while refusing to meet with black officials.
Said Harris: "I could not care less what color a local official is. It matters if I can communicate with them."
Today's Detroit Free Press: Council feuds with emergency manager
The Benton Harbor City Commission can pass resolutions to hand over power to Mayor Wilce Cooke, but it will have no effect, emergency financial manager Joseph Harris said Wednesday.
The commission passed a resolution on Monday establishing an administrative emergency and giving Cooke authority over the city. It said Harris gives preferential treatment to white contractors and meets with local white officials while refusing to meet with black officials.
Said Harris: "I could not care less what color a local official is. It matters if I can communicate with them."
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