The Killing Continues

Happy Boxing Day!

From the local paper:

A homicide reported in northwest Charlotte on Christmas Eve is the second high-profile act of gun violence this year on a residential street that is scarcely two blocks long, investigators say. 

Few details have been released by police about the latest shooting, including the identity of the victim. The killing happened around 11 a.m. Sunday in the 1600 block of Flagler Lane. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officers responded to reports of an assault with a deadly weapon and found someone with gunshot wounds in a vehicle. The victim died at the scene, police say. 

Details about a suspect, or additional information about the case, have not been released. 

The shooting comes nine months after a 13-year-old boy was wounded when someone sprayed the family’s Flagler Lane home with gunfire, CMPD reported. He survived after being taken to a local hospital with a bullet wound to the leg, officials said. The boy’s mother and two other children were in the home when the shots were fired around 1:30 a.m. on March 24, CMPD said. “At least 10” shots were fired, the paper reported in March. 

Charlotte's year to date homicide number is somewhat disputed with one week until the end of the year the number should remain below 100.

As of Wednesday December 27, 2023 the body count stands at 81 including justified. 

Cedar Note: 

I was actually thinking of mocking "Boxing Day" when I pulled the latest homicide story from the local paper.  

To be clear I've always been a fan of Muhammad Ali. His appearance at the opening ceremony at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta where he refused defeat or pity as a victim of parkinson's to a flight on USAir out of Charlotte a few year's prior.

But it was the March 1971 fight that cast Ail as "the greatest" forever. UK Columnist Frank Keating put it in perspective back in 2011:

After 14 rounds at dead-level even, both warriors were spent. Well almost, for Frazier at the very last bent low at center-stage and came up with, well, the kitchen sink … an exquisitely timed rock-knuckled left hook of bestial accuracy which smashed into Ali's jaw so grievously that the right side of the big man's face was wonkily out of shape even before the back of his burgundy trunks hit the floor and the little flamboyant red tassels on his boots waved limply up at the ring lights.

The Big Mouth had been shut good and proper. Over and out. The passing Ali legend had, surely, now passed.

What happened in the next few moments, however, was, utterly to confound and rout Ali's enemies and, overwhelmingly, to recharge and reward his believers. He got up. He lived. And so did the legend grow.

By miraculously clawing himself to his feet and attempting to mount a counterattack, the stricken Ali – loser, but still champ – had, in fact, won everything. For eternity. Whatever was to come, that finale in New York settled Ali's imperishable place in history.

Mecklenburg County DA Drops Bo -Time Resisting Arrest and Weapons Charges

Mecklenburg County District Attorney Spencer Merriweather has dismissed all charges against Anthony Lee, and Christina Pierre, the two Bojangles employees who were arrested recently. Several videos of their arrest have been widely circulated and show Pierre resisting arrest and CMPD Officers going hand on with the suspect to gain compliance.

Mecklenburg County Spencer Merriweather DA noted "After consideration of the body-worn camera evidence and the various recorded accounts of police and civilian witnesses present, based on the totality of the circumstances, the State does not have a reasonable likelihood of success at any potential trial on this matter."The DA has declined to make any comment on the dismissals. He declined to make any additional comment regarding the dismissals.

CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings staff posted the following on X:

Cedar's Take: What does it take to get a conviction for attacking a Police Officer (or in this case several officers) in Mecklenburg County?

It is not that Merriwetter took a dismissal but rather the speed in which this tool of the liberal left did so. His actions will do nothing but embolden thugs and hoodrats to continue to do the same.

Many of Charlotte's new residents have fled crime cesspools of the north due to crime being so prevenant. Yet they come to Charlotte and elect the same sort liberals who destroyed their former hometowns. This is a behavior that most of us, even those not in law enforcement can't understand.

Former Mecklenburg District Attorney Andrew Murray would have at least run the cases up the flag pole, and not just toss CMPD Officers under the bus.

Public Service Announcement Stealing From Cars No Bueno

Some advice: breaking into cars at 2AM might seem like easy money but the cost could be your life! 

According to CMPD detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Homicide Unit were conducting a homicide investigation near the 1500 block of West Arrowood Road in the Steele Creek Division early this morning.

Just after 4 AM 911 received a call for service and but 4:17 AM Steele Creek Division officers responded to the 1500 block of West Arrowood Road. Upon arrival, officers discovered a male victim with apparent gunshot wounds. The victim was pronounced deceased on scene by MEDIC.

CMPD also stated the following: "The CMPD is not looking for any suspects and there is no danger to the public."

Which is normal code speak for we are talking to the victim who used deadly force to defend him/herself or his/her property.

Homicide Unit detectives and Crime Scene Search responded to process the scene and collect physical evidence. Representatives from CMPD’s Operations Command, Victim Services, MEDIC and the Charlotte Fire Department also assisted.

According to news sources the body was not removed until well after sunrise. 

The Water Walk extended stay hotel has seen a number of theft from auto crimes over the past several months. CrimeMapping.com shows 19 calls for service since May 2023. Most were for theft from auto. 

The hotel manager told a local tv news station is a prepared press release: “The safety and security of our guests, residents and team members is our top priority, and we are incredibly saddened by the incident that took place in our parking lot overnight,” the statement reads. “This is an active police investigation and as such, we will not be sharing any specific details at this time. Questions should be referred to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department at 704-336-7600.”

Cedar Update: The victim/crook has not been identified but sources say the deceased male is suspected of breaking into several vehicles and was confronted by one owner in the parking lot. The Mecklenburg County DA will have the final say as to any charges.  

Cedar Update No. 2: The victim/Crook  identified as 32-year-old Travoscia Brown died from his injuries at the scene, police said.

John Joseph Photo Courtesy MCSO

Late Monday CMPD would charge 47-year-old John Joseph with second degree murder in Monday's deadly shooting. Investigators still haven't said if Joseph was the owner of one of the vehicles.

The Charlotte Observer Chirps About the Bo Time Take Down

CP is posting this editorial from the Charlotte Observer just to add some context to the why CMPD has an ever shrinking number of boots on the street. 

The entire perception is ACAB and George Floyd was a victim. The media WSOC, WBTV, and WCNC quickly added to the victimhood narrative.  Then bring in the Queen City Nerve and you have this insane leftist HAMAS backing Antifa supporting nutbags all piling on. 

But if you're reading this you are smarter than that and while Chief Johnny is already tossing CMPD officers under the bus you at least would like to hear both sides and so here you go.

From the Observer Editorial Staff:

A disturbing video on social media Tuesday showed a Charlotte police officer repeatedly striking a woman who was pinned to the ground outside of a Bojangles in southwest Charlotte. 

Two people — both Bojangles employees — were approached by CMPD officers because they were smoking marijuana in public. 

The woman, according to CMPD, “punched an officer in the face,” and both individuals reportedly refused arrest. In the video, the woman is lying on the ground, restrained by multiple CMPD officers. Another officer repeatedly hits the woman, as witnesses plead with the officers to stop. 

CMPD claimed the woman was “laying on her hands and not allowing officers to arrest her” and the strikes were intended to get the woman to “stop resisting.” 

“After several repeated verbal commands, an officer struck the female subject seven times with knee strikes and 10 closed fist strikes to the peroneal nerve in the thigh to try to gain compliance,” CMPD said in a statement. 

At least seven officers were present when the woman was finally arrested and put inside a CMPD vehicle, according to WCNC Charlotte. The incident was enough to make national headlines in The New York Times. The video invites a number of questions. First, was the use of force in this situation truly warranted? If the woman was already on the ground and restrained by officers, was it necessary to hit her 17 times? What actions, if any, were taken to de-escalate the situation?  

CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings acknowledged in a statement that the video was “not easy to watch,” but said the bodycam footage “tells more of the story than what is circulating on social media.” CMPD has begun the legal process to release the bodycam footage, but that could take a few months. While the bodycam footage may indeed provide additional clarity, it’s troubling to see such aggressive tactics used to subdue an unarmed woman, even if she was resisting arrest. Incidents like these can further damage the already frayed trust between CMPD and the communities it serves — especially the Black community. 

That makes answers to the community’s questions all the more important. At a press conference Wednesday, Jennings said that the individuals were smoking marijuana at a bus stop before officers approached them. If they were merely smoking marijuana, though, why did CMPD see a need to intervene? 

The Mecklenburg County district attorney is no longer prosecuting non-violent simple possession charges. Jennings should explain whether CMPD has a different threshold for smoking marijuana, and why.

“From the very beginning, the police interacting with people over the smell of marijuana, we don’t think that was a big enough issue for the police to interact with,” Robert Dawkins, leader of SAFE Coalition NC, said. “The way to not have issues with the police is to limit the amount of interactions that are handled by police.” SAFE is a police accountability effort that has advised the city on issues like its use of force policy and reforms to the Citizens Review Board. Dawkins said that, from SAFE’s perspective, the police should have used de-escalating tactics and kept restraining the woman until she calmed down, instead of using strikes to get her to comply. 

“They wouldn’t have lost the political and the neighborhood capital that they had to give up just to bring in this one small arrest,” Dawkins said. “Doing the strikes hurt them more than what would have happened if they had waited.” An internal investigation is underway, and the officer involved in the situation has been reassigned. 

According to CMPD policy, officers may use “less-lethal force” when “reasonably necessary” to make an arrest. North Carolina law also permits the use of force in arrest. But CMPD’s policy also says that other factors must be taken into account, such as the number of officers present and whether the person poses an “imminent threat to the public.” “If I look at this entire thing, are there things that we can do better? Absolutely. Are there things that I wish would have never happened? Certainly,” Jennings said at the press conference. 

Going forward, Jennings said the department would consider changes to how officers address people smoking marijuana and whether it is necessary to deliver body strikes if “we have four officers subduing an individual.” 

Good. We’re glad that Jennings is acknowledging that his department may not have handled the situation in the best way, and that he appears to be pursuing why. We urge him to follow through on that willingness to examine and improve, and be equally candid in his final analysis of what happened. 

CMPD Takes Down Weed Smoking Bojangles Employee

CMPD Officers went hands on in Steele Creek Monday and in the process attracted a fairly large audience. It didn't take long for the cell phone video to show up on youtube. 

Beyond the usual comments and even race baiting Attorney Benjamin Crump, the media rush to judgment was predictable, which was met with a weak push back from CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings.

And now there's more Bo Time

Jennings' comments came one day after he issued a statement about the incident which he called, "hard to watch." 

And just for good measure Corine Mack, the president of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg NAACP, said the video immediately took her back to previous violence incidents involving police. "It was triggering," Mack said Tuesday. "It reminded me of George Floyd and immediately I began to weep."

The video, which went viral on Instagram, shows at least four CMPD officers restraining the woman on the ground while a fifth officer was punching her multiple times. It happened just after 2 p.m. Monday near the intersection of South Tryon Street and West Arrowood Road. 

And Bo Time No. 3

Jennings also confirmed CMPD's attorney has filed a petition with the court to release any body camera footage related to the incident. In North Carolina, a police officer's body camera video cannot be released without a judge's authorization. 

"I watched the body worn camera footage and believe that it tells more of the story than what is circulating on social media," Jennings wrote in his statement on X. "The public deserves to view this footage as well."

Jennings has asked the community for patience during the investigation.

"Let's not lose sight of the big picture," Jennings said.

Christina Pierre

Christina Pierre was charged with assault on a government official resisting and simple possession. And was as you have come to expect released on an unsecured bond.

Cedar's Take:

Sure the optics look bad. Maybe next time just tase her happy ass to get compliance. 

But if I was the CMPD Steele Creek Division I'd say "stand down" give South Tryon a 72 hour breather withdraw and let "da Creek" fend for itself! 

Starting 2am Friday and maybe go back to responding to calls for service say 2am Monday. 

Seriously we need to look at the this from both directions first why are we enforcing laws against weed, second why the truck are you smoking weed at a bus stop and then giving the police a hard time about it?

I also know the Bojangles has been a hot spot for sometime and I'd expect CMPD to put the squeeze on anyone breaking the law. Just the same they are going to video you and post it so that the race baiting wackos like Corine Mack and say it looked just like George Floyd. Just let Steele Creek go to dirt. 

CMPD Goes Street Slang To Battle Drug Overdoses

CMPD goes all in on their new anti drug campaign that draws upon slang phrases like “no cap” and “sus” to target the message to younger individuals and their families. 

Cedar's Take:

I'm up for whatever helps, as long as if it doesn't work let's not wait to shitcan the concept and go back to busting heads and locking up drug dealers. 

According to CMPD the main goal is to prevent overdose deaths through education and to spark conversations within an impressionable audience that is unaware of the prevalence and risks of fentanyl-laced drugs. The social media hashtag for this campaign is #StreetPillsKill.

In 2023, CMPD has reported a 20% increase in confirmed fatal overdoses compared to this time in 2022, totaling 179 deaths. The majority of these deaths (60%) are individuals under 40-years-old.

CMPD’s campaign includes printed and digital materials with various slang phrases coupled with statistics and warnings for Charlotte citizens. Resources, tips for parents and a list of secured drop box locations for people to safely dispose of drugs is listed at street-pills-kill.com. The drop-off locations include CMPD headquarters at 601 East Trade Street, the Matthews Police Department and the UNC Charlotte Police Department, as well as many local pharmacy locations. 

So far in 2023, CMPD’s Vice Unit has seized approximately 75 pounds of suspected fentanyl. CMPD will continue to make drug seizures and target criminals who are making and distributing dangerous counterfeit pills. However, the Department needs the public’s help to understand the risks and dangers and to protect themselves and their loved ones from making fatal mistakes.

For more on CMPD’s campaign please visit: https://street-pills-kill.com/

Multiple reports of indecent exposures on south Charlotte greenway

 October 29, 2023 From WCNC:

In the last 48 hours, CMPD said they've had a slew of calls about the man exposing himself in front of others in the public area. 

Angel Kuchinski walks the greenway all the time and said it's a situation that's personal.

“I’m just concerned because there are a lot of young girls," Kuchinski said. “It’s the first thing I thought about. It happened to me when I was 10 years old and I’ll never forget it.” 

CMPD said it is aware of the issue and sent WCNC Charlotte the following statement: 

"CMPD’s goal is for residents and visitors in our community to be able to safely enjoy all of the parks and greenways that the city has to offer. Officers actively patrol greenway access points, parking lots and trails utilizing dual sport motorcycles, bicycles, ATVs and utility vehicles. CMPD also partners with the Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation Department to increase security and visibility with maintenance crews and park patrols. 

Additionally, CMPD’s Public Affairs Office has released multiple awareness videos to the public that include tips and important safety information for greenway and park visitors. We ask that you please follow the tips that we have provided."

Sexual assaults and indecent exposure reports are not uncommon for Mecklenburg County greenways. In the past three months CMPD has addressed a slew of investigations on greenways, including two at McAlpine Creek Greenway -- one in July and one in August.

Three Arrested After Chase on I-85

Three thugs steal a car in Charlotte and go on a multi county crime spree. They made one big mistake getting arrested outside of no cash bail Mecklenburg County.

Here's David Whisenant's report:

By the way local media types might take notice. Whisenant is old school "just the facts ma'am" reporting is top shelf. Pure news no fluff and error free.

Three men from Charlotte each faces a long list of charges after they were arrested following a pursuit on I-85 in Rowan and Davidson counties on Friday morning.

According to the report, the incident began when a China Grove Police officer attempted to stop a gray Honda Civic on I-85 near mile marker 71 just after 2:20 a.m. The officer said the license tag on the Honda was obscured.

As he attempted to stop the car, the officer said the driver, now identified as Cortez Quandaz Springs, 23, sped away going north.

A deputy with the Rowan Sheriff’s Office joined the pursuit. He reported that the driver of the Honda was driving recklessly, making frequent lane changes, weaving in and out of traffic, and that the driver turned off the Honda’s lights in an attempt to get away.

Deputies say the Springs make a sudden exit off I-85 at exit 79, went up the ramp, traveled across the road ignoring the stop sign, then drove across to the entrance ramp and got back on I-85 headed north.

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol joined the pursuit as it headed into Davidson County.

Deputies say that the driver of the Honda sped through a construction zone where workers were on the job, knocking over several barrels in the road.

Springs then got off I-85 at exit 103 near Thomasville and turned right on Highway 109. As he attempted a turn onto Lee Road, deputies say Springs crashed the car into a ditch.

A Rowan Sheriff’s deputy who responded with a K-9 to that scene had to grab the dog and jump out of the way when the Honda rolled backwards down an embankment. The Honda struck the patrol car. No injuries were reported.

After a foot chase through the woods, the three men were apprehended.

Charges:

Springs was charged with possession of a stolen firearm, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting/obstruct/delay, drug possession, failure to stop for lights/sirens, felony flee to elude, and possession of a stolen vehicle.

Timajia Lamonta Martin, 23, was charged with drug possession, resist/obstruct/delay, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of a stolen firearm.

A’vonne J’rell Williams, 22, was charged with resist/obstruct/delay, possession of a stolen firearm, possession of drug paraphernalia, felony larceny, conspiracy, and drug possession. 

All remain in the Rowan County jail.

The driver Springs has a long history of drugs, weapons and other violent crimes. 

Convicted on a 2020 armed robbery charge just last month he was given just 24 months probation. 

Timajia Martin has nearly a dozen Mecklenburg County arrests, with convictions for AWDWISI in Mecklenburg County and AWDW GOV OFFICER in Union County.

Martin was also only given 24 months probation in both cases.

A’vonne J’rell Williams just another long history of drugs, weapons and violent crimes with six arrests in Mecklenburg County. 

Williams was recently convicted in Mecklenburg county and wait for it..... was given just 24 months probation. 

Taco Bell "Quédate el cambio, animal asqueroso"

No Bueno from the once great local paper:

A disgruntled Taco Bell customer is accused of critically injuring an employee in a dispute that began in the drive-thru line, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg police. 

It happened around 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, at the Taco Bell at 8812 Albemarle Road in east Charlotte, officials said. 

A suspect is in custody, police said in an update. “Witness statements indicate that after ordering food, the suspect became aggressive in the drive-thru when he believed he had been given an incorrect amount of change,” CMPD said in a news release. 

“The suspect proceeded to leave the drive-thru and come inside the restaurant where he became more aggressive, produced a firearm and began shooting inside the restaurant. The suspect fled the scene.”

One employee suffered multiple gunshot wounds and remains hospitalized with life-threatening injuries, police said. The identity of the victim has not been released. 

Detectives identified a suspect and he was arrested at his home without incident, CMPD reported on an Oct. 1 update. 

MCLENDON, DOLL ANDREWS

According to CMPD, the suspect in this case has been identified as Doll Andrew McLendon (DOB: 10/30/1955). 

He is charged with Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill Inflicting Serious Injury & Discharging a Weapon into Occupied Property.

He is currently being held in the Mecklenburg County Jail without bond.

"Quédate el cambio, animal asqueroso" translation:

Keep the change ya filthy animal!

Ed Driggs (is) The Problem With Re-Zoning (Opinion)

Over the past several months I’ve heard from many supporters of our Charlotte City Council District 7 Representative Ed Driggs. I’ve also heard from dozens of citizens who are not exactly fans of Mr. Driggs. 

Charlotte City Council District 7 Member Ed Driggs

But rather than just hyperbole, here are some facts:

In the last five years Ed Driggs has basically run unopposed in a strongly republican district, (he is unopposed again this year barring a legitimate write in candidate) yet he has raised $188,442.00 in campaign donations over the last five years according to NC State Board of Elections Records. 

Of the reported funds raised, as much as 70% came from individuals within Charlotte's real estate and property development industry.

The names of contributors read like the who’s who of Charlotte’s, most successful real estate investment firms and affiliated companies. Names like Fred Klein, Peter Pappas, Daniel Levine, Johnny Harris, and real estate attorneys like Bailey Patrick, Richard Vinroot, and John Carmichael who represents the Gillespie Property developers RK Investments, LLC. 

In fact, RK Investments, LLC (the developers behind the Gillespie Property rezoning request) have made frequent almost yearly contributors with funds received from principles Russell Ranson, Neil Kapadia, and others during the period of 2018-2022.  

Noticeably absent, however are contributions from those associated with RK Investments, LLC during the current (2023) election year, which is understandable as the optics would be somewhat unattractive. 

However, a contribution from Landworks Design Group, PA the lead design firm hired by RK Investments, LLC on the Gillespie Property stands out on the 2023 list of contributions as if the take the place of RK Investments..

 

In fairness there is nothing wrong or illegal with any Charlotte citizen, including developers contributing to a Charlotte City Council candidate’s campaign. 

However, when the council member refuses to commit to a no vote, and continuously stresses some sort of compromise even in the face of overwhelming opposition (more than 14,000 have signed the petition asking for a NO VOTE) to a project from a solid base of neighborhood taxpayers and citizens, something is strikingly wrong. 

If you're just an average taxpayer in Charlotte you need to understand, Mr. Drigg's continued support of the Gillespie project is simply saying not only does your voice not matter, but in fact you have no voice at all because you haven't paid for it.

Rather than pushing his "compromise" agenda on behalf of RK Investments, LLC Mr. Driggs needs to firmly commit to a NO VOTE and press other council members even the democrats for a NO VOTE as well. Anything less than 100% opposition and commitment to seeing that this proposal is defeated is disingenuous at best and clearly a failure to represent his neighbors the voters who reside in District 7.

Chip Starr

You wanna hear a prison story? Amiri King

In Kentucky, before you go to PRISON prison, you go to a place called the Roederer farm for classification. It’s right by the reformatory. And yes. It’s very much a prison as well. 

You go there to have your security level assessed and they eventually decide what prison you are going to. It’s a mix of everybody, from petty thieves to stone cold killers. 

One time in the middle of the night, the doom squad rushed in the wing and snatched up the guy on the bunk next to me. They took him away. He had the fucking death penalty and somehow fell through the administrative cracks. 

So one day they bring in this guy that I recognized from school. A guy named Tim. I went to Buechel Metropolitan in Louisville Kentucky. The most dangerous school in the entire state. 

You get sent there as punishment if you brought a gun to a public school, or had gang affiliations, sold drugs, got into fights, etc. 

Well Tim went there too (for reasons unknown to me) and that’s how I knew him. 

So Tim gets put in our wing and we start chopping it up for a couple of days. Played a lot of chess. I was young. Only 18. The older cats knew I was a ‘fish.’ A term used for someone serving their very first prison sentence. 

Tim was a fish as well. He was a pale, hefty, awkward kind of guy. On the nerdy side. He wasn’t a street motherfucker is what I’m saying. 

We were both fish and naivety was par for the course. Sometimes your inexperience could get you a pass from some of the ‘old numbers.’ Sometimes it didn’t. 

Well. One day someone stole Tim’s lock off his locker. Tim had A LOT of commissary. 

He had a very supportive grandmother on the outside. He came to me and was freaking out that someone stole his lock. He feared he was about to get robbed. I said, ‘here man,’ and took the lock off my locker and gave it to him. 

I said, ‘put this on your shit. I don’t have much to take.’ And he put it on his shit. 

Later on that day I was in the shower. These two big street motherfuckers named Bobby Bottoms and Joel Sanchez ran up on me. Yes. In the shower. Bobby was a big son of a bitch. Joel was too. Bobby was a clean cut guy with tattoos all over the place. A real street motherfucker from a tough Louisville neighborhood called Portland. 

Bobby looked at me, pissed, with daggers coming out of his eyes and said, ‘get your fucking lock off that locker NOW. You have no idea what the fuck you are doing.’ Affirmative. 

I grabbed my towel, I dried off, got dressed, and I went to Tim. I told him I needed my lock back. He took it off his locker and handed it to me and that was that. 

I won’t say what happened after that, but let’s just say Tim drove a bus for special needs adults and had sexually abused some of them and everybody knew but me. 

They handed out justice ‘A La inmate’ and I never saw Tim again. 

Later that same night, in the dark prison wing, I heard someone behind me sneaking up to my bunk. I turned around and it was Bobby Bottoms. All I could see was his silhouette but there was no mistaking this motherfucker. He looked at me and whispered, ‘Lesson number one. Mind your fucking business. That’s your first lesson, and that one was for free.’ 

I never forgot that.

(Photo circa 1998, my mother and I on visit at Northpoint ‘the point of no return.’)

Cedar's Take: Amiri King is a mess. And yet he posts some crazy sh*t. To say he's been around is an understatement. He's an undiscovered talent. If someone was smart they'd give him an hour slot on cable post late night. He'd wipe the floor with someone like Trevor Noah or Seth Myers.'Not Kidding. If I was 20 years younger I'd bank roll the project myself. I know people well not people like Amiri knows. 

True Story (y'all need to lighten up right?)

A Harley Biker is sitting on his Harley, drinking a beer, by the Zoo in Washington, DC when he sees a little girl leaning into the lion's cage.

Suddenly, the lion grabs her by the collar of her jacket and tries to pull her inside to slaughter her, under the eyes of her screaming parents.

The biker jumps off his Harley, runs to the cage and hits the lion square on the nose with a powerful punch. Whimpering from the pain the lion jumps back letting go of the girl, and the biker brings the girl to her terrified parents, who thank him endlessly. A reporter has watched the whole event.

The reporter addressing the Harley rider says, “Sir, this was the most gallant and bravest thing I've seen a man do in my whole life.”

The Harley rider replies, “Why, it was nothing, really. The lion was behind bars. I just saw this little kid in danger, and acted as I felt right.”

The reporter says, “Well, I'll make sure this won't go unnoticed. I'm a journalist, you know, and tomorrow's paper will have this story on the front page. So, what do you do for a living, and what political affiliation do you have?”

The biker replies "I'm a Marine, a Republican and I’m voting for Trump."

The journalist leaves.

The following morning the biker buys the paper to see if it indeed brings news of his actions, and reads, on the front page:

“U.S. MARINE ASSAULTS AFRICAN IMMIGRANT & STEALS HIS LUNCH”

Off Duty American Airlines Flight Attendants Attacked In Charlotte

Two American Airlines flight attendants were attacked while waiting for an employee shuttle at Charlotte Douglas International Airport on Friday September 15th

Apparently the altercation began when they were approached by Yolanda Davenport Trueheart and her husband Stanton Trueheart (age 58) who had just arrived from Houston, Texas aboard an American Airlines flight.

The unnamed flight attendants were two of several people waiting outside on the arrivals level of the airport and failed to notice Ms.Trueheart and her husband approach.

In a video posted by Ms. Trueheart a voice can be heard asking to have a seat. As the video image closes in on one of the flight attendants a voice can be heard saying "I'm a passenger" then the image suddenly becomes jumbled. As the image stabilizes a black man is seen punching and pushing one of the flight attendants down on the bench before the other flight attendant intervens. 

 

Apparently Ms. Trueheart was offended that one of the flight attendants was occupying the entire metal benches forcing her to stand while waiting for her ride.

When the flight attendants failed to look up and acknowledge her she began to film them and apparently tried to force her way onto the small bench

"I TRIED to get his attention to see if I could have a seat, he ignored me so I just sat down because clearly he was doing it on purpose." Ms. Trueheart posted on X.

She later posted the above video tagging American Airlines and saying:

@AmericanAir

 "#americanairline Is this how you train your #flightattendants to treat passengers when they ask if they can have a seat while waiting for a shuttle?"

Then she added follow-up posts:

"So I took out my phone to record, to show #americanairlines how insensitive their employee/flight attendants are. Boy, was I correct!! The video will speak for itself."

"So I said to myself, oh an #AmericanAirlineflightattendant then his "husband" that was sitting next to me overheard what I said and started getting on my case. I told him that I wasn't talking to him. I felt in my spirit that this was going downhill real fast"

"@americanair

 your employee knocked my phone to the ground and my husband did what he did.

He LATER said he was sick and had covid which is why he did what he did. Well he could have said that in the very beginning but instead he decided to be a #Ken. Now #BlackTwitter let's make him famous for his very rude behavior. And 

@americanair

 do better!!!"

Ms. Trueheart goes on:

"When I sat down I saw on his luggage his #American bag tag.

I did get a phone call from #AmericanAirline, and they apologized, and they are doing an investigation. 

They wish I had gotten their names. 

Twitter, can yall help me find out who these #flightattendants are? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you! When you are in uniform, shouldn't you act becoming???"

The best part of her rant is including D L Hughley I guess looking for her 15 mins of fame?

Cedar's Take:

I’ve been on flights with those two flight attendants and they are crazy flaming gay. They are also super nice and always professional.

Comments were quick to condemn Yolanda Trueheart as a hubris entitled bitch and her husband as a thug. Many saying both should arrested and be banned from air travel for life.

Unlike the other American Airlines video of the Texas TMFINR woman where the comments were fairly divided Ms. Trueheart has received widespread unanimous condemnation.

For those who don't know these flight attendants are not there to serve anyone. They are off duty the moment they step off the plane. They have likely been on their feet for hours. Given the flight bags I'd guess they are Charlotte based senior crew members. I suspect they have just wrapped up a four day effort and have had enough of passenger idiocy.

If American Airlines doesn't come to their defense I hope the AFA-CWA steps up because this is nonsense.

Many have asked why they were not arrested. As CP understands it, CMPD Airport Officers handle these matters with the if I arrest them your are going to jail as well. (Correct me if I'm wrong) Clearly the flight attendant was assaulted. The use of deadly force would have been justified.

CP's advice is if you find yourself on an American Airlines flight in coach with these two give them a wide berth. 

Ella Lukse Fatal Crash Investigation in the CMPD South Division

The death of 15 year old Ella Lukse hits hard. Raintree is where I grew up. This is where my parents raised four children and lived from the time Raintree was developed until 2020, and this is madness. It was once a safe and attractive neighborhood. 

From CMPD:

Charlotte, N.C. – (Tuesday, September 5, 2023) – Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Major Crash Investigation Unit are investigating a serious injury motor vehicle crash in the South Division.

On Sunday, September 3, 2023, at approximately 8:57 p.m., South Division officers responded to a motor vehicle collision with injuries in the 8200 block of Raintree Lane.  Upon arrival, officers located a 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee overturned and a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta badly damaged in the roadway. MEDIC responded to the scene and transported two passengers from the Jeep and both occupants of the Volkswagen to Atrium Health Main due to their injuries.  The driver of the Jeep, Gorden Ware Fleming, IV (DOB: 10/09/2005), was uninjured and remained on scene.

Detectives with the Major Crash Investigation Unit, DWI Task Force, and Crime Scene Search responded to the scene to conduct their investigation.  The preliminary investigation indicates the driver of the Jeep was traveling south on Raintree Lane when his jeep struck the right side of the Volkswagen driven by Tokla Parker Chhem, Jr. (DOB: 04/25/2007).  The impact of the crash caused the Jeep to overturn and the Volkswagen to go off of the roadway and into a tree.  A 15-year-old passenger in the Volkswagen suffered severe, life-threatening injuries.

Excessive speed is believed to be a factor.  Mr. Fleming was found not to be impaired but had consumed alcohol prior to the collision.  He was arrested and charged with Driving After Consuming Under 21 and Reckless Driving.  Additional charges could be forthcoming pending the result of the continued investigation.

The investigation into this crash is active and ongoing.  As additional information develops, it will be released by the CMPD’s Public Affairs Office.  Any person who witnessed the crash or has information about this case is asked to call Detective Pressley at 704-432-2169, extension 2.  The public can also leave information anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or http://charlottecrimestoppers.com/.  For additional information about this case, please refer to the report: 20230903-2057-02.

And then this sad update:

On Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at approximately 10:23 p.m., 15-year-old Ella Lukse (DOB: 02/13/2008), succumbed to the injuries sustained in the crash and was pronounced deceased at Atrium Health Main.  Ella’s family members were present when she passed away.

On Wednesday, September 6, 2023, detectives with CMPD’s Major Crash Investigation Unit obtained a Secure Custody Order for Gorden Ware Fleming, IV (DOB: 10/09/2005) for Involuntary Manslaughter.  Fleming was arrested at his home and transported to the Law Enforcement Center (601 E. Trade St.) in Uptown for questioning.  At the conclusion of the interview, he was transferred into the custody of the Stonewall Jackson Juvenile Correctional Facility in Cabarrus County.

Ella Lukse’s family has been notified of the arrest.

The investigation into this crash is active and ongoing.  As additional information develops, it will be released by the CMPD’s Public Affairs Office.  Any person who witnessed the crash or has information about this case is asked to call Detective Pressley at 704-432-2169, extension 2.  The public can also leave information anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or http://charlottecrimestoppers.com/.  For additional information about this case, please refer to the report: 20230903-2057-02.

A celebration and gathering of her family and friends will be held Saturday, September 16, 2023 from 1pm to 5pm at McEwen Funeral Service, 5716 Monroe Road, Charlotte, NC 28212

Ella Lukse

Gorden Ware Fleming, IV 17 has a history of recklessness according to several posts on social media.

No one has yet offered as reason the Fleming was traveling by some accounts at nearly twice the speed limit of 35 mph, down Raintree Lane. While the street to the Raintree Country Club goes on to connect to Providence Road at the Charlotte Latin School it is not a time saving cut through.

Gorden Ware Fleming, IV

Fleming who resided with his parents on Robinhood Road was uninjured in the crash. 

His father Gorden Fleming who is a pastor at Hope Community Church on Sharon Amity Road, has not spoken publicly about the death of Miss Luske or the arrest of his son.

Cedar's Take: As I have said this is madness. We have become a lawless society with kids raised by parents who are utter failures at teaching integrity, honesty and responsibility.

No family should have to endure this. 

When we were kids Raintree was a safe place. My brothers and sister and I felt safe, except some little guy named Mick Mulvaney who followed my sister around like a lost puppy. And Peter Pappas who was an annoying little kid who liked to play golf and drove us older kids working in the pro shop crazy when he'd lose a pitching wedge on the course. And Chip Sella whose father was the CEO of Fortune 500 company American Cyanamid. We were well off kids from six figure income families, but we didn't act like entitled brats. We were not always angels but we understood that our actions had consequences. We obeyed traffic laws and took driving seriously. I could give you a dozen names of families that raised their kids in Raintree and nothing like this ever happened. Now its just heartbreaking madness. 

 

Why Do Charlotte City Council Members Love Developers?

As you can see above Ed Driggs saw nearly 70% of his past campaign contributions coming real estate developers including RK Investors. 

A review of the most recent campaign finance report from the North Carolina State Board of Elections shows Ed Driggs taking money from the usual suspects: Levine, Pappas, Northwood and Charter Properties. All big names in the real estate development game in Charlotte.

Noticeably absent are contributions from RK Investors who gave handsomely during the previous election cycles. 

So forget Ed Driggs' democrat vs republican excuse, or his blame shifting to the "affordable housing" liberal agenda.

It is not just Driggs who is in bed with developers, across the political spectrum decisions about Charlotte's future are made by not the taxpayers and citizens but real estate developers who have bought and paid the sole of our elected officials.

If you have not signed or shared our Petition objecting to this rezoning request, we encourage you to do so. We'd like to reach our goal of 15,000 signatures before we deliver printed copies of our petition to Charlotte City Council Members.

Our concerns about the Gillespie Project are:

• Increased Traffic (Rea Road, Elm Lane, and NC 51).
• Over Crowded Schools (Already 130% of Capacity).
• Threatened Wildlife including a pair of American Bald Eagles.
• Loss of Tree Canopy more than 70% of the 53 Acres.
• Increased Stormwater Runoff (Already a Serious Issue in South CLT).
• Overloaded Infrastructure (Police, Sanitation, Utilities Under Duress).
• Unreasonable Project Size (Population Density 1,520% Greater Than the Surrounding Area).

Again thank you for your continued support.

One Man's Story 9/11

There are things that tie this nation together, Pearl Harbor, Challenger, and 9/11 as it has come to be known. But now 22 years on, many people not directly affected by the great loss of life or living in New York at the time may have forgotten the hours immediately after the first plane roared into the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

The current president Joe Biden will skip today's ceremonies in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. It is his belief that it is time for our Nation to move on. He has said the same about Pearl Harbor in the past.

Certainly anyone over the age of 30 understands what happened that day, but still only a small number of Americans know what New York was like during the attack and in the first hours after.

CP was thankfully not in New York on September 11th having left the city two days prior. I watched the second plane impact the South Tower live on television. The rest of the day is a distant memory, except for the silence in the air that afternoon. Unknown to me one of my colleagues a fellow investment professional was at ground zero.

His story arrived 2 days later via fax at my office. The following images are of that fax that I've kept in my top desk drawer for the last 22 years. Today I'm sharing one man's story unedited (note you will have to click on each image to enlarge) someday maybe today I'll transcribe the letter, an effort I have once before attempted but found it to difficult to type the words:

Cedar's Take: I'm still stunned at what happened that crystal clear Carolina morning in September and while I lost no friends or family in the attack the pain is just as if I had. 

My grandfather a Navy vet never hated the Germans but he despised the "Japs". I never understood why until 9/11. It takes a pretty horrific event to make an entire group of people the most hated and despised of the world's population. Muslims have unfortunately accomplished just that. 

CMPD Only In Charlotte

This is old news from back on May `6, 2023 but you likely missed it:

Apparently CMPD is not just short staffed when it comes to Officers, or dispatch. Fire and sanitation are short handed as well. An so it seems is the City of Charlotte garage, so the City has outsourced more and more motor vehicle servicing to local operations and dealerships. 

Enter Charlotte's Town and Country Ford.

What you may or may not know is that dealership will often take your car for a "road test" which might even include allowing a service tech to drive your car home for the night. 

And so it seems that a certain Town and Country Ford employee was told he could take a marked Ford Explorer home for the night. Everything was fine until Jamal Baker was noticed by a concerned citizen driving the white and blue marked unit.

Apparently Jamal doesn't fit the typical CMPD Officer profile even when off duty.

Jamal Baker

So CMPD Officers initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle and detained Baker without incident. Baker was brought back to the Metro team office to be interviewed by Detectives.

All the while Baker is saying my boss said it was ok. Well can't blame the Officers who punted the arrest and left the "suspect" with Metro decetitives to sort things out.

Baker stuck with his story and finally detectives called his boss at Town and Country Ford who confirmed that he was indeed authorized to drive the patrol unit.

Apologies all around as Baker was told he would not be charged and that's when Baker said that's cool do you mind if I get "my gun" out of the center console?

At least Baker is honest, CMPD says they found the glove box unlocked, with a handgun inside.

And so CMPD arrested 31-year-old Jamal Baker and charged him with misdemeanor carrying a concealed handgun. 

The Official CMPD Statement:

“CMPD is extremely disappointed that this incident occurred and has communicated to Town and Country Ford that this is unacceptable. CMPD relies on quality vehicles to provide exceptional police service in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. We entrusted Town and Country Ford with the responsibility of maintaining a portion of our fleet, and it is important that this trust remains intact. A marked CMPD police vehicle should be a representation of a legitimate CMPD police officer, and we will continue to implement measures to ensure that this will not happen again.”

Baker was booked into jail on the misdemeanor of carrying a concealed weapon charge and released on a promise to appear.

UPDATE:

Baker's court date was August 22, 2023 and not having heard otherwise we would hope the ADA would have taken a voluntary dismissal. 

CMPD Officer Involved Shooting Press Release

CMPD Press Release:

Charlotte, N.C. – (Sunday, August 20, 2023) – Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation are investigating an assault with a deadly weapon on an officer and officer-involved shooting in the 300 block of West Tremont Avenue in the Central Division.

Preliminary information reveals on Sunday, August 20, shortly before 8:00 a.m., officers responded to a domestic disturbance call for service. When officers arrived on scene, they heard sounds of a disturbance inside an apartment. Officers forced entry into the apartment and were met by the combative suspect. 

An altercation ensued, during which the suspect stabbed an officer in the neck. Officers perceived an imminent deadly threat and one officer discharged their service weapon, striking the suspect. The suspect was pronounced deceased on scene. 

The officer who was stabbed, and a female victim who sustained a gunshot wound were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Multiple firearms were recovered from inside the apartment.

Homicide Unit detectives and the State Bureau of Investigation responded to the scene to conduct an investigation, and Crime Scene Search responded to process the scene and collect physical evidence.  

CMPD's Operations Command, Community Policing Crisis Response Team, Victim Services, Medic, and CFD also responded to assist.

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI) will be the lead investigative agency in this incident.  As is standard procedure, the officer that fired their service weapon in this incident has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of a parallel investigation by the CMPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau.

The investigation into this case is active and ongoing.  As additional information develops, it will be released by the CMPD's Public Affairs Office.  

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS to relay information.  The public can also leave information anonymously with Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or Charlotte Crime Stoppers 

For additional information about this case, please refer to the report: 20230820-0755-01.