 |
November 2008 |
 |
|
|
|
|
By MATT NICHOLS
Staff Writer
A former Wapakoneta law enforcement officer’s future is now in the hands of seven state Supreme Court justices.
Former Wapakoneta Police Chief Dave Harrison’s 6-year-old sex crime case reached the pinnacle in Ohio’s court system Wednesday, as justices heard arguments from Harrison’s attorney Dean Boland and state prosecutor Scott Longo.
Each party had 15 minutes to present their case to the justices. After both attorneys argued their cases, a single word in Harrison’s sentencing entry and a grilling delivered to Longo by justice Maureen O’Connor left Boland optimistic about his client’s future.
In June, 2003, Harrison plead guilty to a six-count bill of information after child pornography was found on his computer. After entering his plea, the man who served as police chief from 1988 to 2002 was sentenced to one year in jail.
Seven months after he completed his sentence, it was discovered by county prosecutors that Harrison should have been sentenced with an additional five years of mandatory post release control, or probation.
During a court hearing, Harrison was given the option to either be re-sentenced or withdraw his plea. Harrison chose the latter, taking things back to square one.
With the plea withdrawn, the state of Ohio slapped Harrison with a 23-count indictment which he was ultimately found guilty of and sentenced to six years in prison.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Friday, 13 June 2008 |
By MATT NICHOLS
Staff Writer
The dreaded day has arrived.
Those who would scream in horror at the sight of a black cat walking over a broken mirror under a ladder could be lying in bed today, paralyzed in a trembling fear.
Today is Friday the 13th and while most associate the day with a murderous, psychopathic in a hockey-mask in Hollywood films, plenty of Americans still fear the day because of supposed supernatural powers.
Some people may call in sick today, while others may refuse to get on an airplane. The day, which comes between once and three times a year, makes many people nervous. Some estimates indicate as many as 20 million Americans suffer from paraskavedekatriaphobia, or the fear of Friday the 13th.
The folklore of Friday and the number 13 can be traced back to several different ancient cultures throughout the world —
any of which could be the forerunner of today’s superstitions.
Some Christians fear the day and number because of the events that led up to Christ’s crucifixion. Thirteen people attended Christ’s last supper — the 13th being Judas who betrayed Christ. When Jesus was crucified, it is believed to have occurred on a Friday — although some Christians see Friday as the opposite of evil because of that event.
A story in Norse mythology also is rooted around the number 13. Loki was an evil Norse god who had it in for Balder, a loving god.
When Loki was uninvited to a 12-god banquet, he got irritated, and in retaliation he bumped off Balder. Loki had tricked Balder’s blind brother into throwing mistletoe at Balder. Instead of bringing a showering of smooches from the goddesses, the mistletoe killed Balder instantly.
By the time the Middle Ages arrived, the date was gaining notoriety as a day of evil, and the folklore would only get deeper.
On Friday, Oct 13, 1307, King Philip IV, of France, is said to have arrested the Grand Master of the Knights Templars, Jaques de Molay and 60 other knights. After many of the knights were tortured an executed, the day was considered by many as a day of evil.
In ancient Egypt, life was broken into 12 stages. Death was the 13th and final stage, and represented the eternal afterlife. For the Egyptians, that 13th stage was not looked upon with horror and fear, but rather the glorious time for eternal life.
As time passed, the positive aspect of the 13th stage was replaced with death and gloom. Some say the superstition stemmed from the fact that 12 was a “perfect” number of sorts in history and that the next number after it would be anything but perfect. There are 12 zodiac signs, 12 tribes of Israel and 12 Apostles of Jesus.
Millions of American’s buy into the hype and myths every year. In an interview with National Geographic News in 2004, Donald Dossey, founder of the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in Asheville, North Carolina said more than $800 to $900 million is lost in business on Friday the 13th because people will not fly or do business they would normally do.
For most, today is just another day —for some, midnight cannot come a moment too soon. |
|
Last Updated ( Saturday, 14 June 2008 )
|
|
|
|
