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O'Connor subpoenaed in Ratcliff case
O'Connor subpoenaed in Ratcliff case
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Tue Oct 30, 2007 02:29:50 CDT
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Thu Nov 1, 2007 08:32:01 CDT
Thanks silentlamb - Yesterday sureursmart posted a criminal record of someone, who sureursmart wanted us to believe is the alleged victim in this matter. He was reported to the Advocate and they removed the post. Since that has happened, I have not seen another post from him... Hopefully he has been banned from the forum!
Wed Oct 31, 2007 23:38:57 CDT
silentlamb....thanks so much for the information!!!
Wed Oct 31, 2007 23:34:12 CDT
Just FYI to "those" ie; ALS, sureursmart, atticus finch, etc. that feel the need to attempt to disclose information with the intent of harming the VICTIM with misuse of "Official Information": As a public servant, you may have access to information that has not been made public. Chapter 39 of the Penal Code restricts your use of such information in the following ways:A Guide To Ethics Laws For State Officers And EmployeesTexas Ethics Commission Page 7 Revised 01/03/2006
• You may not use the information to acquire or help another person to acquire a pecuniary interest in any property, transaction, or enterprise affected by the information. Penal Code § 39.06(a)(1)
.• You may not speculate or aid another to speculate on the basis of the information. Penal Code § 39.06(a)(2).
• You may not disclose or use the information with the intent to obtain a benefit or to harm another. Penal Code § 39.06(b).
Wed Oct 31, 2007 18:54:24 CDT
It seems that everybody is overlooking the fact that the charges brought upon Ratfcliff are no longer based solely on accusations. Regardless of the person, much less the character of the person, who brought forth these accusations Ratcliff was indicted based upon the evidence produced by an investigation. You can’t just point your finger at somebody (or stand in the town square) and accuse a person of committing a crime and expect that he or she be automatically arrested. There has to be some sort of preliminary evidence in your favor before that happens. As MichaelKnight pointed out, if the FBI/cybercrimes has been involved in this case then there is already an electronic trail of evidence that supports the accusations.sureursmart: I’m beginning to think your handle is nothing more than your own daily affirmation. However, you are not fooling anyone. Having read your insightful quote from Webster’s Dictionary on the definition of pun, perhaps this is your way of educating us on the meaning of sarcasm. Judging by the tone of your posts, it seems you have a lot emotionally invested in all this…
Wed Oct 31, 2007 13:34:10 CDT
Sureursmart: Still waiting for a response to a fairly simple question-- In three sentences or less, please explain why a prisoner was privately escorted to see Ratcliff. What possible reason could there before that???
One other point I haven't seen discussed: The internet was allegedly involved in this case, and the internet always leaves an electronic trail. If the allegations are true, you can be sure that the FBI/Cybercrimes unit has access to ALL of the email and IM traffic that occurred between the two accounts.
Wed Oct 31, 2007 13:24:46 CDT
Comment From: justiceforAll Wed Oct 31, 2007 00:24:58 CDTMy comment was directed at justmyopinion. She said Ratcliff was guilty and even if found innocent, he was still guilty. What else can I say, except she is shallow minded and she has my sympathy. Her comment almost leaves me speechless.
Oh,now I'm shallow minded.No, I'm just not dumb enough to believe that a man that has been caught red handed by the attorney generals office preying on a boy threw the Internet is innocent.You must not have kids.Either that or you are just not wrapped to tight.Any Smart parent would never allow this man a lick of trust after these allegations.Calling me shallow minded because I don't agree with you is so childish.I say he's Guilty,you say he's Not,so be it.Oh, Speechless huh.I think you blaming the victim has left us all speechless.(all but one)
Wed Oct 31, 2007 12:12:07 CDT
Goliadchica and snakebite, I agree with your posts. I do believe "sureursmart" is an INSIDER. How else would one have access to such a variety of MISS-information. Sounds of grunts and groans coming from 205 North Bridge Street.
Wed Oct 31, 2007 12:01:01 CDT
I would like to know how someone got an arrest record to post? sureursmart is apparently a Ratcliff-supporting insider with access to the arrest records. Could it have been illegal or at least unethical to access those records for personal reason?IMHO - the tendency to blame the victim is the reason people don't come forward. They have to face this kind of suspicion and accusations. Too bad nothing has changed, even though the laws have. People still judge without waiting for the facts...
Wed Oct 31, 2007 10:50:51 CDT
I think sureursmart has some sort of personal vendetta against whomever he/she thinks is lying about these allegations. He/she seems to want so badly to divert attention away from Ratcliff and point the finger at the alleged victim as being deceitful. Why on earth would anyone subject themselves to the humiliation of putting something so shameful out there for all the world to see? Especially so many years later? I think the Advocate would do well to monitor this person's comments and immediately remove any future so-called "facts" regarding who sureursmart seems to think is the victim.
Wed Oct 31, 2007 10:40:17 CDT
Thank you Advocate for removing the alleged criminal record of the alleged victim posted in here by sureursmart!
Wed Oct 31, 2007 10:38:35 CDT
Betty- I understand you! I'm not only a survivior of childhood sexual abuse, but am now seeking justice for my daughter who whas assaulted! I know the fear, frustration, the shame, the low self-esteem, the self-loathing that goes along with this! My point was, that yes, there are kids who make false allegations...sometimes they just point the finger at the wrong person... that something had happened and they were too afraid to name the actual perpetrator... In no way am I saying that the alleged victim in this case is lying, and I'm in no way stating that Ratcliff is the alleged perpetrator. Wed Oct 31, 2007 08:26:49 CDT
COPIED:==Comment From: darlins64 As far as children and young teens making up false allegations against teacher, priest, rabbi, etc., to keep from getting in trouble, yes that has happened! There are many horror stories out there of people spending years in prison for an offense they didnt' commit. I hope that this is not the case here! ) And, as I have posted before, I work very closly with sexually abused children, and there are many perps running around free, because the kids are too afraid to stand up in court, or the court says they are too young, or some other "red tape" keeps these perps from going to jail, while these kids are already in Hell from the abuse. The victims of sexual abuse NEVER get over it!!!They may be able to go on and live a life, but it is NEVER normal!!!Have some feelings for the victim!!!And, I am not saying Ratcliff is guilty, I am just speaking from the experience I have working with these kids.
Wed Oct 31, 2007 08:03:41 CDT
I find it offensive that anyone would suggest that Ratcliff allegedly committed an offense because he was a victim of incest! To disparage or cast blame anywhere near his family in no better than sureursmart's blaming the victim! Ratcliff's family is already facing stressful times without adding to it! FOR SHAME! IF, and that is a big IF, Ratcliff committed this alleged offense, he did so as an adult and is singly responsible for his actions. (And I'm not saying he's guilty) His parents, siblings, friends, associates, subordinates are should not be found guilty by association.
sureursmart - while I am sure your information is accurate, think about the dates of the alleged offense.... it was 1997; the records you submitted didn't begin until 2000. So I don't see the point in publishing this record. I think you should back off!
As far as children and young teens making up false allegations against teacher, priest, rabbi, etc., to keep from getting in trouble, yes that has happened! There are many horror stories out there of people spending years in prison for an offense they didnt' commit. I hope that this is not the case here!
Wed Oct 31, 2007 07:54:19 CDT
sureursmart...What's your point in posting the arrest record you posted? Is this the "criminal" background of the victim? If so, it is apparent that these charges all occured several years after the alleged abuse...related to drugs (with the exception of the first one). Is it at all surprising a young person would turn to drugs after being traumatized? And the fact that this person committed crimes well after the abuse has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with the allegations. So what's your point? That this person was going to turn out to be a criminal anyway so who cares what the sheriff might have done to him when he was a young teen?
Wed Oct 31, 2007 06:57:25 CDT
I submit, just as a possible clarification of one dictionary's definition of incest, the following: "incest n. sexual intercourse between close blood relatives, including brothers and sisters, parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, or aunts or uncles with nephews or nieces. It is a crime in all states, even if consensual by both parties. However, it is often co-existent with sexual abuse since usually the younger person is a victim of the predatory sexual activities of an older relative. Recently, it has drawn more attention as people began talking about the "silent crime," which is often covered up by a wife fearful of losing a husband, or the memory has been suppressed by the youthful victims. One problem is that on the surface the family may appear to be "All-American" while abusive incest continues".
I understand this to say and to clarify that in a case of child sexual abuse, the predator can be any older relative, not necessarily a parent.
Now, my disclaimer. I am not suggesting that Ratcliff was a victim of childhood incest.
Wed Oct 31, 2007 06:35:07 CDT
Sureursmart: I'm confused just who was the "See you in hell Jerk" comment aimed at. Maybe I missed something.
Wed Oct 31, 2007 01:47:26 CDT
To Southtexas. Good explanation of why people make accusation which aren't true.
Wed Oct 31, 2007 01:44:12 CDT
There was a time when young people came forth with accusations of abuse by adults that there was very little questioning of their statements or their motive. However, there have been several programs on T.V. and some articles, even in the VC about cases where young people wielded the power of making an accusation of abuse to threaten their teachers, to get out of trouble, to take revenge against parents or step-parents for discipline. I personally have friends who are teachers who have been so threatened....a statement from a student that he was inappropriately touched can be the ruin of any teacher even if it is proven not to be true. If you think this does not happen you are naive indeed. Ask any teacher in the higher grades if this is not something that they keep in the back of their mind anytime they have a conflict with a student. Some of the more incorrigable youth have learned at a very young age that the stigma of their accusations that they have been sexually assaulted or threatened is powerful indeed and they are not above wielding it with an unmerciful hand. I am not saying that these young people are not trouble and in need of help. Then there are the many young people who are indeed molested and whose trauma represses their feelings and memories to the point of their not being able to remember or even report the crime. Child molesters are the lowest of the low, however I am not so naive as to think that every accusation made by a young person is the truth. Especially with older teenagers who are worldly wise and know the system. Younger children's accusations are more likely to be real. A smart young man who has repeatedly been in trouble with the law might indeed consider taking the heat off by accusing someone important of a crime against himself. The best defense is a good offense and this is a lesson that some troubled older teens learn very quickly. If Sheriff Ratcliff is guilty, I truly have faith in the system to bring forth the facts and find him guilty....but please people don't be so naive to think that just because accusations are made they are true. In spite of what one poster said earlier, "innocent until proven guilty"....applies no matter what you are accused of and is especially applicable in the case at hand where the stories seem to be questionable, and the accusations borderline at best....The timing, the story, the forces at play....all make the whole incident appear to be in question.
Wed Oct 31, 2007 01:43:11 CDT
To Strawberry: You are 1 malicious, sick, sorry individual.
Wed Oct 31, 2007 01:27:04 CDT
OUTRAGE !!! SEE YOU IN HELL !!! JERK !!!
Wed Oct 31, 2007 01:20:37 CDT
strawberry1.....NOW YOU HAVE GONE ABSOLUTELY TOO FAR!!! Family incest? I dare you to find anyone who knows Sheriff Ratcliff's mother and father and brother who would not want to smack you for such a stupid remark. Sheriff Ratcliff's mother was a respected nurse, an original member of the first team here in Victoria to do open heart surgery and the kindest, most religious and most moral individual you could ever find. I dare you....I challenge you to find anyone who knows Sheriff's Ratcliff's Dad, who will not say that he is the most hardworking, compassionate, kind-hearted and honorable man they have known. Incest? You are a liar and a mean spirited gossip who does not have a clue what you are talking about. How dare you! But you will experience some day the pain you have caused with just this one stupid statement....that's how it works....what goes around comes around. Revenge is not needed for there is a higher power who will hold you accountable for such blantent and sinful meaness.
Wed Oct 31, 2007 00:35:16 CDT
If you don't like Ratcliff, that's fine. You don't have to tell lies about him. Now you're spouting rumors which some people are going to take as fact...See how things get started! Ratcliff can be my neighbor.
Wed Oct 31, 2007 00:32:20 CDT
See how things get started--rumors, gossip, speculaton, malicious malicious. Good grief people!
Wed Oct 31, 2007 00:24:58 CDT
My comment was directed at justmyopinion. She said Ratcliff was guilty and even if found innocent, he was still guilty. What else can I say, except she is shallow minded and she has my sympathy. Her comment almost leaves me speechless.
Wed Oct 31, 2007 00:20:57 CDT
WOW! What a record! Doesn't sound like a good neighbor to me.
Wed Oct 31, 2007 00:19:49 CDT
sureursmart - you are sitting here blaming an alleged victim before you know the outcome? his criminal past doesn't make it so that he is "making" up these allegations. it is usually the ones like that with a past the predators prey upon. if it ever does come out later - the predator believes noone will believe them because they have a bad past or their credibility is shot due to previous crimes. predators aren't stupid - they select their victims wisely.
Wed Oct 31, 2007 00:14:45 CDT
sureursmart...and your point of all this is?????? a victim is a victim!!!!
Tue Oct 30, 2007 23:58:49 CDT
How shallow minded you are. You have my sympathy.
Tue Oct 30, 2007 23:22:23 CDT
GUILTY GUILTY GUILTY and even if he is found innocent in "Victoria County" he will definitely still be GUILTY GUILTY GUILTY...
Tue Oct 30, 2007 23:10:19 CDT
thanks nunof - though it's not bravery, it is still shame after 28 years. it is just sickening to have to watch someone say this kid(at the time of the alleged crimes) was somehow to blame, no matter what the circumstances. if a minor child is taken advantage of and abused especially by a person of authority and trust in the community - that is the person to blame period.
Tue Oct 30, 2007 23:05:25 CDT
mcoffland, I agree with what you have said and thank you for speaking as former victim. You are very brave. Bless you.
Tue Oct 30, 2007 23:02:37 CDT
Bcat - thank you for your comment.... it's right on the money! There is a lot of shame, and a lot of whispered prayers for help!!!! God Bless you!Oh, and I don't know if the kids are selling drugs on Navarro Street these days, but there's a butt load of it being sold at the Sr Campus.... never mind, that's for another thread and another day!
Tue Oct 30, 2007 23:00:05 CDT
Your daughter is a victim. I'm not blaming her. My point in justice for all is to let both sides be heard before we know if he is guilty or innocent. If Ratcliff is found guilty, I'll accept it. If he's found innocent, then he is a victim. Let's leave his father out of it.
Tue Oct 30, 2007 22:59:36 CDT
sureursmart - you obviously have no compassion whatsoever for victims. your first post in this thread basically victimizing the victim is just atrocious. many victims of sexual abuse crimes do not speak out for years. i myself was a sexual abuse victim as a child growing up in victoria so i do speak from experience. of course i was a child who was threatened within an inch of my life by a good family friend. it wasn't until several years later it came out to another family member who overheard me talking to a friend about it. let me tell you something - don't speak about the reasons a victim doesn't come forward until you have been in their shoes, been told you would along with the rest of your family would be killed all the while a nice cold blade of a knife is staring you in the face. you have no clue. i would have never posted something like this on a public forum until i read with disgust your post and even in a previous topic you somehow found a way to lay blame on the victim for what happened to him. and i also want to add, not in hostility to others - yes sometimes these victims do act out later on in life with drugs. promiscuity and so on, but not all of us. fortunately i was young enough at the time and my family made sure i got the correct counseling. however, it is something that stays with a person forever. sureursmart - i would love for a victims right advocate to read your threads and just verbally slam you to the ground. clearly you have no idea what it is like to be a victim of anything other than an over inflated ego and the need to sound like you know so much about this case and attempt to impress everyone with your "knowledge of secrets " on this case. perhaps if you know so much then maybe you will be the next to receive a subpoena and rid this thread of your ramblings.
Tue Oct 30, 2007 22:58:23 CDT
I'm not judging Ratcliff. I'm not going to say yes or no he did this... I hope he gets a fair trial and that one way or another, justice is served. I hope that the alleged victim in this case DID NOT make false allegations against Mr. Ratcliff... because if so, he has brought down a man for no reason. But I don't think that the alleged victims criminal record should be speculated about, nor should anyone else bring up the Blackwell case... I'm going to bed now... I think I'm rambling now...
Tue Oct 30, 2007 22:58:17 CDT
Bless you, Bcat. My sentiments, exactly.
Tue Oct 30, 2007 22:50:24 CDT
sureursmart- You are one some piece of work. You would require those who have been victimized to stand in a public forum and recount their story for all to hear; holding their head high. I supposed you have never been a victim. You have never felt the deep shame that comes from having something happen to you that was far beyond your control. You have never hung your head and whispered praying that someone would help. You are so quick to judge this boy, but not a man who stands accused of sexual assault. Who was charged with more than just the word of a "criminal". I don't care if this boy sold drugs up and down Navarro (as if half of the youth isn't anyway) he has the right to stand up for himself and be heard. IF he is lying then it will come out, if he is telling the truth then he will receive justice. You are a criminal for trying to reveal his name; you should be ashamed of yourself.Texas Rules of Evidence
Article IV. Relevancy and its Limits
Tex. Evid. R. 412 (2006)
Rule 412 Evidence of Previous Sexual Conduct in criminal cases
(a) Reputation or Opinion Evidence. --In a prosecution for sexual assault or aggravated
sexual assault, or attempt to commit sexual assault or aggravated sexual assault,
reputation or opinion evidence of the past sexual behavior of an alleged victim of such
crime is not admissible.
Tue Oct 30, 2007 22:49:39 CDT
I KNOW MIKE AND HE WOULD HAVE GLADLY LAID DOWN HIS LIFE TO SPARE HER THIS PAIN. GOOD PEOPLE BEING FALSELY ACCUSED MAKES ME MADE.
Tue Oct 30, 2007 22:45:25 CDT
Justice - yes, my daughter was a victim of sexual assault... she was (and still is) a minor; the alleged perpetrator is an adult. My daughter has no criminal record; she's never been arrested nor has she even gotten so much as a ticket. I'm sure there are rape victims all over the world who have criminal records.... that does not make them less of a victim! And it doesn't mean they deserve it..It just makes convicting the alleged perpetrator more difficult. It makes me mad to see some one blaming the victim...
Tue Oct 30, 2007 22:39:41 CDT
just because this alleged victim has spent time in jail for whatever reason, doesn't mean that he is making all this up... it's possible, yes. However the point is, don't be so quick to doubt the credibility just because he wasn't a perfect person. The truth will come out one way or another. Let's not try and convict either party based on what is being made public.... there's so much more that we regular folks don't know and will never know....sureursmart -- SALE and SELL sound nothing alike and have totally different meanings....
Tue Oct 30, 2007 22:39:38 CDT
SEE DARLINS U R SMART...As a matter of courtesy, most newspapers and broadcast media in the United States do not disclose the name of an alleged rape victim (the complaining witness) during the trial, and if the alleged rapist is convicted, most will continue to not identify the victim. If the case is dropped or the alleged rapist is acquitted, most media will no longer shield the name of the complaining witness. This practice was probably related to laws in some states which made it a crime to publicly reveal the name of the complaining witness in a rape case. When such laws were challenged in court, they were routinely struck down as unconstitutional.[3]
in Cox Broadcasting Corporation v. Cohn 420 U.S. 469 (1975), the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional a Georgia statute that imposed civil liability on media for publishing a rape victim's name. The news station had obtained the victim's name from public court records — a factor the Supreme Court held to be important, noting that "the First and Fourteenth Amendments command nothing less than that the States may not impose sanctions on the publication of truthful information contained in official court records open to public inspection."
in Florida Star v. B.J.F., 491 U.S. 524 (1989), the U.S. Supreme Court found a Florida statute which provided penalties for media outlets that publicised the name of an alleged rape victim unconstitutional.
Tue Oct 30, 2007 22:31:39 CDT
You said your daughter was a victim of sexual assault. I'm sorry about that. Nobody deserves that. Lots of posts talk about the victims record...record of convictions. Isn't that correct?
Tue Oct 30, 2007 22:26:32 CDT
My mommy told me when I completed my thesis that :A pun is defined by Webster as "the humorous use of a word, or of words which are formed or sounded alike but have different meanings, in such a way as to play on two or more of the possible applications; a play on words."
Tue Oct 30, 2007 22:26:15 CDT
He was in jail for a period of time. I don't know his criminal record but we will when he testifies.
Tue Oct 30, 2007 22:24:45 CDT
Oh, and the REASON the alleged victim's identity isn't revealed is due to RAPE-SHIELD laws... it is to protect him/her from more shame and humiliation! Only those who have experienced such, or had a family member go through something like this would understand.... AND it doesn't make a tinkers damn if the alleged victim was a full blown prostitute or if someone thought they were "asking" for it, rape is rape... If the allegations are true, then you need to consider the kid's age at the initial alleged incident!
Tue Oct 30, 2007 22:18:59 CDT
justice - let me see if I understand you correctly.... you are willing to give Ratcliff the benefit of the doubt... and you have been on this forum preaching "innocent until proven guilty" , yet you are ready to take an unknown poster's word that the alleged victim is a low life and is making false allegations... smells a lot like hypocracy to me! sureursmart -- don't blame the alleged victim... you may think you know the facts, but I don't think you do. I also find it interesting that earlier you were spouting these big words right out of Websters, trying to impress us with your linguistic skill, but you don't know the difference between SALE and SELL..... ask your mommy to correct your spelling before your next post!
Tue Oct 30, 2007 22:06:09 CDT
Mr. Ratcliff spent a lifetime protecting the good folks from thugs. The alleged victim doesn't sound very credible/reliable based on what we know about his criminal record. Do you want the alleged victim living next to you? I don't.
Tue Oct 30, 2007 22:06:04 CDT
Sounds like you're getting pretty desparate there, sureursmart. Starting to feel the heat?!?
Since you seem to have a lot of inside information maybe you can answer the question of how many hands it takes to hold a gun?
Tue Oct 30, 2007 21:35:58 CDT
Well, good people let just say I have a little insight to the matters at hand. Thus, the victim can not be given a free ride to make accusations behind a screen like the great Oz. If one is willing to make such an allegation one must do so with head held high in the town square. If there is not damming collaborating evidence then character matters. So if it is a he said he said issue the matter of integrity is in play. It is only fair or we would all be susceptible to blackmail by any vagabond. Call a press conference if your probation officer will give you permission to be out and about and sale us on your victim status. Sale me and I will be the first to contribute to a scholarship fund in your name after you are released from prison for selling and making drugs everybody deserves a second well a third chance since you blew off the probation. I feel I was not hugged enough in the womb do you think I can break the law a few times of the "I ain't responsible because life was tough on me ?" I call you out...Show yourself Mr Victim we know the alleged bad guy he spent a life time willing to take a bullet from thugs to shield good folks.. who are you ?
Tue Oct 30, 2007 20:33:54 CDT
Credibility of the alleged victim....everything he has ever done or wanted to do, thought or said will be thoroughly scrutinized. And rightly so. If he is going to make these charges, he needs to be credible.
Tue Oct 30, 2007 20:28:24 CDT
As, I believe it has been stated before, in order for an indictment to be handed down, there has to be enough evidence to proceed to a trial, It is my guess that the Cybercrimes unit was instrumental in obtaining this information, in addition to statements from a victim, now the credibility of that victim will be hammered out in court, the GJ, now needs to identify all other potential witnesses, such as Tyler, O'Connor, Sgt. B., and exclude them from any further access to this case, for the fear of tampering, but of course they wouldn't do that.
Tue Oct 30, 2007 20:22:01 CDT
Sorry, thought you were writing to me.
Tue Oct 30, 2007 20:17:49 CDT
Never used either word...
Tue Oct 30, 2007 20:16:05 CDT
sureursmart: Didn't you mean to accuse the alleged victim of engaging in "carnal acts" for remuneration, not enumeration?
Tue Oct 30, 2007 20:10:36 CDT
To Jake: Thank you for your comments. We have unproven charges. If the charges are proven, the boy ia the victim. If the charges are not proven and Ratcliff is innocent then Ratclifs is the victim.
Tue Oct 30, 2007 20:05:27 CDT
We have an honest proven victim? That's news to me. All I know about is an accuser.Time will tell who the victim is, until then i'll keep my mouth shut as for knowing who the victim is.What in the world is going on here? All I see is people doing a lot of bashing without knowing the facts.Facts that i'm sure will not be known or come out until the trial.
You people need to get a life.
Tue Oct 30, 2007 20:04:42 CDT
Just to add information, my guess as to why the Advocate was subpoenaed, was to try and get info on who thier informant is, what the grand jury should be doing is requesting all the Jailers and former employees of the S.O. to be brought forward for thier factual testimony, on all occurances in the S.O.involving Ratcliff. It appears that there may be a lot of nervous Investigators,Captains and Lt's. See if there was a pattern for all those years, then see how many Highly trained staff are suddenly going to get amnesia.
Tue Oct 30, 2007 20:01:00 CDT
sureursmart - I will share with you something I asked someone this evening when they had similar comments to make regarding the alleged victim. What if this were YOUR child who made a stupid mistake (as kids often do) and snuck out of the house and had this happen to them? What if your child were too embarrassed to speak out and in turn, make incredibly stupid choices all of their life and you hadn't a clue why?
I can tell you that if indeed these acts did occur, there is NO "bad kid" in this world who deserves this. No kid PERIOD.
The person I was talking to shut up and walked away. Lesson learned.
Tue Oct 30, 2007 19:52:17 CDT
I heard that the FBI has left us high and dry saying this is a state case, not federal. I guess it is now in the hands of the DPS.I have a cousin in another state who called me this morning asking me what in the world is going on in Victoria. Seems the AP picked up the story. I am embarrassed.
Tue Oct 30, 2007 19:48:18 CDT
sureursmart - how do you know anything about the victim? And the others are absolutely correct! Ask any psychologist, psycharist, therapist and they will tell you that most children who have been victims of sexual abuse, especially when they are keeping the secret, will use become promiscuous, use drugs or alcohol or engage in other dangerous behaviors. It's a cry for help! Some teenage girls who have been victims begin "cutting" themselves... it's a tangible wound...How DARE you blame the victim in this case? Who the hell do you think you are? Whatever that young man turned out to be was because of what happened to him at the very young age! Maybe Ratcliff is responsible, maybe he isn't. But as I've stated before, The Grand Jury had enough substantial evidence to return an indictment! There is enough evidence to warrant the Federal Bureau of Investigation to be involved! Only time will tell what happened, but you can bet, SOMETHING happened! Don't blame the victim!
Tue Oct 30, 2007 19:11:34 CDT
I think the rumor of the Advocate being subpoenaed is a tactic to hinder the citizens of Victoria from feeling they have the ability and right to speak their minds. If one fears their IP addresses and posts being subpoenaed, the battle is half won. Time to put the fear of the powers that be back amongst the citizenry! Can't have them too educated or vocal you know! Nothing good ever comes of that!
Tue Oct 30, 2007 18:38:55 CDT
At what point does the state come in and take over city / county law enforcement ?Hopefully we have a clean sweep next election, it's time to start over.
Tue Oct 30, 2007 18:10:06 CDT
One thing is for sure: Norman Bates had to answer to his momma, and we will all have to answer to our maker. What was done is done. Not guilty or guilty is the question? God has the answer and justice will prevail one way or another.
Tue Oct 30, 2007 17:58:47 CDT
It is not uncommon for them to turn to drugs and alcohol to dull the pain as well. All kids make mistakes and do things they shouldn't do. It is part of growing up. Unfortunately, growing up is difficult enough without being victimized. I am not saying Ratcliff did this and I am not saying he didn't. What I am saying is if he did, it could very well explain the life choices the alleged victim has made and the troubles he finds himself in currently. People have to remember that if this did indeed happen, Ratcliff not only ruined his life, but that of the victim. He will forever be affected by events which happened over ten years ago and now he is being raked over the coals in the forums almost as much as Ratcliff.
The victimization continues.....
Tue Oct 30, 2007 17:47:47 CDT
From what I've read, it's not uncommon for sexually abused children to turn to prostituion later on - has to do with their perception of self worth from what I understand.
Tue Oct 30, 2007 17:33:41 CDT
Well Silent Lamb there is a point. The young gentleman who will remain nameless story makes the Sheriff a monster like Norman Bates , a cross dressing mad man. As the movie is a work of fiction so is this infant ( whose bad habits include making drugs, delivering drugs, being a fugitive from the law, violating probation, engage in carnal acts for enumeration etc etc AKA Victim) might be being less then honest as to the portrayal of the aforementioned events. Just a Suggestion.
Tue Oct 30, 2007 15:46:40 CDT
I now live and work in Houston, but was born and raised in Victoria. I like to check to see whats going on in my hometown every now and then, and see if I know anybody that has been arrested, died, or just to read some small town news. It is a good break from work. So I read this, and it reminded me of the time that myself and a few friends were arrested by a coupel of sheriff's deputies for drinking underage. We were booked in Victoria County Jail and had to sit there for over 12 hours for MIPs. We saw the Sheriff Ratcliff walking around, and I still remember the go to hell look he gave us. We at a small get together at a friends house, planning on staying there all night, and we weren't causing any harm. Now I read that he rapes a kid, puts a gun to his head, and they let him go on a PR bond. Are you serious??? This just shows how the justice system system in Victoria works, the authorities always seemed to have their priorities misplaced. I guess one good thing that came out of it, was that Sheriff Ratcliff didn't personally show up to the party, because I would much rather sit in jail than do any of his punishments. I was 17 at the time, and was feeling alcohol, but no amount of alcohol would make that goofy guy attractive. I hope he gets the max penalty, and doesn't get off, because I know for sure that I didn't get off for a stupid MIP. Get Dexter Eaves to prosecute the case; he would be perfect. I remember him as being a tough SOB, and I am sure he would like to revenge his loss to Tyler.
Tue Oct 30, 2007 11:39:25 CDT
It could also suggest that there's a vacancy between sureursmart's ears>
Tue Oct 30, 2007 11:04:35 CDT
I don't know if it's possible to subpoena a whole newspaper. If it is, it sounds like a tactic on the part of Tyler to cut off any comment about the case including this forum. Is Channel 25 next? If Tyler tries that then there's no doubt about it being time to start a recall petition and get rid of this clown.
Tue Oct 30, 2007 11:01:10 CDT
Do you mean the case where bloodhounds trailed a 5 mile path from the woman's body to a Sheriff's department captain's home who was the boyfriend or ex boyfriend of the lady? Then they arrested the son of another boyfriend or ex boyfriend? THIS REEKS OF WRONGDOING AND HAS FOR 14 MONTHS
Tue Oct 30, 2007 10:56:32 CDT
Victoriaguy
Go back and read all the posts on topics about Ratcliff. A possible link with the CPS case has been discussed ad nauseum
Tue Oct 30, 2007 10:54:09 CDT
I have to wonder if there is a link between this case and the CPS murder case that happen a year or so ago??? Because I kind of remember Ratcliff was on the news about that case and now this case? hmmmm Tell me what you think guys
Tue Oct 30, 2007 09:41:03 CDT
MickaelKnight---I love you comment to sureursmart.
Tue Oct 30, 2007 09:35:41 CDT
COPIED:Comment From: sureursmart: Given if any credence of the Sheriff’s proposed propensities where in the realm of possibility it seems far fetched for a person of sound mind to conclude that this so called victim would not have reached out for help prior to the need to placate political rivals of the current political scheme so to make a deal to avoid having his probation revoked for recent wrong doing and facing prison time.)As I have posted before, I work with sexually abused kids, and most of them are in denial, filled with shame and VERY afraid of the perp. A lot of them NEVER admit that they have been sexally abused, even the ones who have been raped, and it was proven by medical examinations. And, if there was a weapon or violence involved, they are less likely to face the abuse. You know nothing of how the victim feels, I work with these kids every day. So, stop feeling sorry for the perp, and feel something for the right person, the victim!!! (and, by the way, I have not said if Ratclif is innocent or guilty, so don't start a war about it, I am speaking about perps in general.) I have one question for you???Do you by chance, share more than a friendship with someone named Mike???
Tue Oct 30, 2007 09:34:47 CDT
MichaelKnight.
Well put and Amen!
I would also point out that since it's unlikely that Ure, Smith and O'Connor can add anything to the charges, the point of having them subpoenaed, is that they can no longer make public comments. A tactical touch by our benighted DA. Isn't it interesting to watch him squirm?
A new battle cry for the local folks come election time;
"Remember the Ego"
Tue Oct 30, 2007 09:01:57 CDT
I hope all the people that knew about this will be charge so that people of Victoria can trust that the justice system does change and will not allow this buddy-system to continue. I do believe that the sheriff we have today is a fair one, who just didn't go into action sooner.
Tue Oct 30, 2007 08:05:04 CDT
I just hope that all the people who are subpoened to give statements tell the truth. This whole ordeal is sickening. I pray that in the next elections the people of Victoria get involved and elect officials that are respectable. If Ratclif is guilty i hope more of his victims if any come out and testify as well. Just taking the word of one victim would be hard to convict him. If he is not guilty, I pray that God will guide him.
Tue Oct 30, 2007 08:00:49 CDT
Sureursmart: You use many big words, and a few of them are even used correctly. Whatever your comments are meant to convey (I'm still working that out), your apparent attempts to victimize a victim are sad and simple-minded. In three sentences or less, please explain why a prisoner was privately escorted to see Ratcliff. What possible reason could there before that??? That is the question at hand, regardless of your grandiloquent (impressed?) attempts to obviate (like that?) a lucid (look it up) dialogue between interlocutors (checkmate).
Tue Oct 30, 2007 02:30:07 CDT
It is not unusual for a younger person who would have been teetering between the age of being housed in a juvenile setting versus the county jail to be housed separately in a correctional setting if they are considered weak, famine , or frail from inmates who might be preyed on by the general population prisoners. It creates a huge liability if an offender who should be in protective custody is not placed in protective custody and is harmed by prisoners who are much stronger them they are. The infirmary is a high traffic , highly supervised area as it is designed in such a way that medical staff may keep close monitoring of those so housed in case they are in need of care. The grandiosity of this young person that on a planet inhabited by over 6 billion people that anyone would need to go through such elaborate trouble to secure his affections speaks volumes of his instability and probable mental illness. Given if any credence of the Sheriff’s proposed propensities where in the realm of possibility it seems far fetched for a person of sound mind to conclude that this so called victim would not have reached out for help prior to the need to placate political rivals of the current political scheme so to make a deal to avoid having his probation revoked for recent wrong doing and facing prison time.