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The Free and Clear Voice of the People of Red River County, Texas

Clarksville, Red River County, Texas County Seat

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Citizen Opinion on School Yard Bullying

 

                                                                                         1/31/2007

I agree with Patsy Guinn. Perhaps what we need to do is Pray. Everything will come out in the wash…..in God’s time. The guilty parties will come to light when the time is right.
My mother  also had a saying, "I would rather be punished by man than by God". Someone took Al Peek from his loved ones, someone took Jennifer Bench from her loved ones and God knows who they are.
Like Ernest said, in his editorial, they walk among us……..go to church with us and go about their daily lives just like anyone else. I wonder, do they ever feel guilty for what they’ve done? When they look in the mirror…..do they see the ghost of that person?  When they hear the name mentioned….. do they cringe knowing that they are responsible? When they look at the one, who they hold  most dear to their hearts do they say "God please don’t punish me by taking my loved one"?
We cannot let Al’s memory die and we cannot let Jennifer Bench’s mysterious disappearance  die either.
All we can do is pray……..and if everyone who visits this website will commit themselves to a prayer each night…maybe through God.. we can find either answers or justice for Al and Jennifer.

Name withheld by request

P.S. You are picking up Supporters and Publicity with your website, that in itself is a giant step in eliciting public awareness..

 

 Citizen Opinion on School Yard Bullying

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1/31/2007

Mr. Henslee,

 

  If I may  I would like to express my opinion concerning School Yard Bullying that I have just read .

  First of all I have never read anything you have written on this site that you haven't had proof of what you have said and even given  references to the readers. And you are forever telling your readers you aren't above sin or haven't made mistakes.

  You know Mr. Henslee I was born and raised in this county and have a lifetime of good memories, and truly can say I wish the people of this county could be as united and caring for others as they were when we were all children growing up .Sure, there were some even back then that were trouble makers and law breakers but the pure honest hard working people would help to see that our Judicial system worked. Back then a person's word and a hand shake was a true bond . The entire family worked from can till can't and you better not sit down at a table that Mother had set with thoughts of eating before the grace was said. {As the saying goes, you had better give your Heart to God because your rear end was gona be Mothers!} No matter how hard the times got we were never allowed to forget God was in control, and thank God for Mother's like that.

  I remember  should someone do something wrong in a community the men stuck together if it meant them taking turns staying up at nights, hidden to catch the crook. They didn't try to get together and make excuses why the person had done wrong, they left the excuses for the guilty one to make.

   So many bad things have happened in our county as you have mentioned that have never been solved, yet I believe as a friend stated the other day , they said you know Prayer moves mountains and if enough Prayer Partners and even Churches would hold special prayer services for God to bring these people to Justice then the people would see results , but they said this county is at a point of no return without turning to God and staying there as our forefathers did.

   As I've stated I've been here for awhile and no I am not without sin no one is,  but thank God Mother taught me how to get forgiveness. There is nothing I can think of that I'd rather see happen to our county  than to have these murders cleaned up and and those guilty pay for what they did . I am not a murderer but be as it is  I rather face man made justice than burn in a lake of fire in Hell for all eternity. People seem to forget no matter who we are or what we may be doing or even thinking God is watching us all and knows exactly what our thoughts are and as the true saying is you may get past men but there is no way a person can get past God.

   I can't help but wonder , have the people of our county gotten so involved with self that they let the guilty go unpunished.  Let's all ask for God's help to solve the wrongs in our county!

 

Mr. Henslee keep up the good honest work.

Patsy Guinn

 

 

 

Opinion from a Concerned Citizen  against School Yard bullying!

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1/30/2007

Mr. Henslee,

 

I have a question for you.  Why do you feel it necessary to bully people.  In your writing or your so called editorials you practically threaten people.  You tell the people you write about that you are so above them and you do not even know them.  I know for a fact that you spread vicious lies about these people and you expect them to just sit there and take it because you are no more than a school yard bully.  You call yourself an editor a press of the media can not go around reporting stories that only have one slanted side, they have to make sure the facts are true and correct or they are held accountable.   You believe you are above this accountability.

 

A concerned citizen against bulling

Susan Reed

 

Did you ever think about starting your own website? 

 

Click here to Go back to Misuse of Power by Sheriff!!!

 

 

Citizen Opinion on Response from Texas Rangers

 

                                                                

1/22/2007

 

I wanted to write and tell you that I am sorry that you didn't get a favorable response from superiors of Ranger Lough.  I know firsthand how frustrating it can be to know that there has been "wrongs" committed, but yet, no one will help.  As I previously have stated, I spoke with Ranger Lough and I have filled out paperwork with the FBI in Tyler....all to no avail!

I also do not know anything about the Townsend charges except to ask that our local authorities please be careful not to label a man without PROOF! Most know the story of my brother and know that he had bogus charges "stacked" on him by a multiple-convicted felon (I still don't understand why he was a "credible witness"), and received 20 YEARS in a RR County courtroom  because the felon said he "knocked on the door, kicked it open, and threatened to kick my ass"...RR listed that as Burglary of a Habitation.  We went to court that day with plans on going grocery shopping that afternoon.... we just knew that JUSTICE would prevail because surely they would not take the word of a multiple-convicted felon.  Upon receiving the 20 years on such a charge, my brother took a plea on a Sexual Assault of a Child charge.  He regrets it to this day.  It didn't matter that the DNA was NEGATIVE!!!, it didn't matter that my brother offered to take a lie detector test, that the "victim"- (who was almost 15) had a known crush on my brother and had reason to be mad at him because of a statement he made at a party, it also didn't matter that we had her recorded on tape recanting her statement....nothing mattered but a conviction....AND IN MY OPINION, it was because I "pissed" them off by handing out flyers about corruption in RR County.  I know most would say, "Why would he plea out to crime he didn't commit?"  The answer was simply put to me by my brother after he took the plea....he looked and me and said, "Janice, I got 20 YEARS because someone said I knocked on their door, kicked it open, and kicked his ass!  What do you think I would get on such a charge with a court-appointed lawyer that I can't trust?  They offered to run it concurrently and told me how I can later get it off of my record.  I had to do what I had to do to come home to my family the fastest.  I can serve it with the 20 years, then get it off my record after I come home."  My brother will come out of prison as a convicted sex offender....a label that he will carry for the rest of his life (although one tactic his attorney used to get him to plea was that he could get out on the 20 years and go to a "psychologist" to prove he wasn't a S.O., yea right!!!)  It is a horrible label and their should be substantial proof.  I had always heard that DNA could prove innocence...but, it doesn't!  I hate the fact that fighting RR county probably made the situation worse on my brother.  He has now served almost 5 years and has used his incarcerated time wisely.  He has not been in any trouble and I pray that the "Powers that BE" will not try to keep him just because I have "bucked" the system.

Good luck in fighting the corruption!  My prayer will always be that someone will feel guilty enough to tell the truth.  I wish they had to live with the hurt and pain that I see in my parent's eyes as each year passes by without my brother.  I am a firm believer in the fact that what you wrongfully do to others will come back on you "ten-fold" and that if you know that a mistake was made, then you do whatever you have to do to correct it.  I had people approach me saying that they knew my brother was innocent, but they were afraid to go against RR because of the fear of retaliation...some of those worked at the Sheriff's office.  I just wonder how they sleep at night knowing that there are people suffering because of their silence!  It's never too late to right a wrong!

Janice Patterson

 

 

Complaint on Texas Ranger Sergeant Roger Lough for Official Oppression!

Is the Fox Guarding the Henhouse in

Red River County?

                                                                                                                                                                                               1/21/2007

 

First, and foremost I want all of you to understand that I respect and admire Law Enforcement outside of this county.  I know a DPS officer that I greatly admire, and respect, and I knew a Texas Ranger that I highly respected, and I am sure that there are many more Rangers that deserve and would receive my respect, but......

 

I have finally received a response from the Texas Rangers on my Complaint against Texas Ranger Roger Lough, and I am wondering "Is the Fox Guarding the Henhouse in Red River County?"

 

The response from Captain Richard H. Sweaney did not even come close to addressing my complaint, nor did he offer any real investigative response to it.   He most definitely did not address the Official Oppression.  This tells me that my lawyer is right about the Official Oppression because he does not mention the issue at all!!  This response definitely involves the phenomenon known as:

 ********************************************************

         The Blue Wall of Silence." 

 ********************************************************

I thought that at least Captain Sweaney would respond with something substantial, but he supplied nothing except a good beating around the bush.   He in effect chastises me (the law abiding born and bred Texas taxpayer who pays his salary) for being disrespectful.  My response to that is that I do not give respect to anyone that I believe does not deserve it.  Respect must be earned and not demanded.  If Ranger Lough, and Captain Sweaney want respect and think they deserve it because of the tin plated badges they are wearing, then they have sorely mistaken their position in the Godhood!  The link showing my letter of complaint, and Captain Sweaney's response is located at the bottom of this Editorial.  

 

Captain Sweaney stated that I was slanted in my editorial opinion, and I submit to him that I am slanted for the witnesses, victims, and the people of Red River county who have no other voice.  There is no other outlet in this County that is willing to write the way the people feel who are being oppressed and intimidated by our so-called Red River County Judicial System  which includes law enforcement.  If he thinks those witnesses and people are wrong, then he has missed the point entirely and slanted his own opinion, by listening only to the slanted opinion of Texas Ranger Sergeant Roger Lough.   Remember I don't just make this stuff up, I actually know an investigator, have witnesses, and know sources inside the county government who supply information.  I also pull open records, have recordings, and talk directly to the public in general.   Citizens submit their opinions, and  I  also have the right to my opinion, and I state it.  This is not a printed newspaper, but a website that uses available sources for information.  If Ranger Lough has proof that something is incorrect, he has the opportunity to send it to this site for a correction, and he does not have to attempt to intimidate me over the telephone to get it done.  I will gladly correct wrong information with proof of correct information.  Anyone may submit an opinion including Ranger Lough, and there is a link directly on the front page for that purpose.  This website also reserves the right to response to any opinion submitted.

 

After reading his letter, I decided to look at the Texas Rangers Website to see what a Texas Ranger is supposed to be responsible for, and was not surprised, but dismayed that our tax dollars are definitely paying for a lot more than we are receiving as citizens of RR County .  You may view the Rangers Website by Clicking Here if you so desire. 

 

     The third statement on the Texas Rangers website under Job Duties states:

 

"Under orders of the Director, suppress all criminal activity in any given area, when it is apparent that the local officials are unwilling or unable to maintain law and order;"

 

I am not sure what you as a reader know about Red River County.  We have a tremendous amount of unsolved murders, (My wife's grandfather a well respected man in the Lydia/Avery area  Mr. Aubrey (Orab) Robertson could name over a hundred, and that was in his lifetime alone, more have occurred since his death) along with disappearances, drugs, the drug lab destroyed and the cover-up by law enforcement for the County Judge's son, and more official corruption.   I would like to ask why the Texas Rangers have done absolutely nothing to abide by that statement in Red River County.   As far as most people can see they have not done, and are not planning to do anything.  Oh I forgot, it is probably the responsibility of the local Ranger to tell the Director of these things and to request his permission to actually DO SOMETHING ABOUT THEM!! 

 

By their own website statement, the Texas Ranger is either not doing his job,  or the statement is just there to make them feel good about themselves.  Nothing is being done on Ranger Lough's part as far as I can see as a law-abiding Texas citizen that even comes close to following  what they have stated as one of the main Job Duties of a Texas Ranger!!  If they were following that statement, Red River County would be crawling with them investigating.

    

Ranger Lough's investigation involving the Kim Dagenhart rape case by one of our illustrious jailers Alan Bunch, in the Red River County Sheriff's Department should definitely show that the officials here are unwilling or unable to maintain law and order.   It should also show them the corruption in our Criminal Justice System, because the rapist happens to be related by marriage to our current Justice of the Peace.    The Ranger should have reported the lack of desire to do what was right in that case to his superiors, and they should have stepped in to assure justice under Texas Law was done!  As it is, the rapist in question got 3 months for violating her civil rights. 

   

Again I ask Captain Sweaney if that statement is there because they mean it, or is it just window dressing to make them feel good?

 

The tremendous number of unsolved murders, disappearances and drugs in this county would make a blind person including the Ranger,  his Superiors and the Director see that there is unwillingness or inability on the part of our officials to maintain law and order!!!   Think about the problems you know about as a reader of this website that nothing is being done or for that fact have ever had anything done about them.   Think about the lady who disappeared out on 1159, December a year ago.   I feel pretty sure that the Ranger knew the Sheriff's department used a convicted felon who should have been in the TDC, but has been here on a bench warrant for years to do the "CSI" work on the ladies automobile.   Hell, he is friends with Spankie, and our past sheriff, Jerry Conway!  They let him run the streets and the sheriff's department like he is a deputy!   There was a body found in the ditch along 1159 after the disappearance, and what ever became of that victim.  Oh Well, it was just another unsolved homicide.  Let's just chalk it up to who really gives a damn!!  What does that tell you Captain Sweaney? Do you think someone is unwilling or unable, and your Ranger is right here in the middle of things. 

 

If you are going to say we do not get involved unless law enforcement asks us, then what is the purpose of that statement?  How many people must die  as victims of homicide, and their deaths be unsolved before your Ranger realizes that someone is unwilling or unable?  How many rapes by jailers must occur against inmates in the County Jail under the nose of the Red River County Justice System and law enforcement  before the State of Texas says enough?  I want you to answer that question Captain Sweaney.  How many unsolved murders, rapes, and drug dealers is enough before someone realizes that our Justice System and law enforcement in Red River County is "UNWILLING OR UNABLE"?  If you are waiting for these unwilling or unable to call you and ask for assistance...................

 

I heard recently that there was another body found in a ditch along a highway south of Bagota.  Was this another murder that will increase the number of unsolved homicides in this county?  Most likely it will with our law enforcement, and our Texas Ranger.  Where's the Beef Gentlemen?  Are our law enforcement officials unwilling, or just unable to solve even some of the homicides?  Hell if they can't or won't solve the murder of a Commissioner, then what can the little guy expect?  From what I have been told, a blind man could name the suspects.  How about the Illustrious Texas Rangers stepping in to solve that case?  Murder has no statute of limitations, Gentlemen!!  I was told that DPS Special Investigations did not want to step in on that case because they did not want to embarrass one of their own, which is a very good reason not to attempt to solve a murder. and they were talking about our Texas Ranger Roger Lough!

 

A close friend whom I hold in high respect, told me about a person who was approached by Texas Ranger Sergeant Roger Lough (or Roger Ranger as the people of Red River County know and call him) and Chief Deputy Larry Spangler (or Spankie and his gang as the people of Red River County know and call him, and his deputies) during the Commissioner Alton Peek homicide investigation.  It seems that this gentleman owned a 38 Special (which was the type of weapon used).  The gentleman was out in his field on his tractor when Roger Ranger and Spankie approached.  The conversation went something like this from what I was told, and I will use " " marks even though the quotes are not exact but will help you understand what went on.  "Sir, do you own a 38 Special?"  Yup.  "Do you mind if we go to your house so we can take a look at it?"  You don't have to go up to the house, cause I have it here in my pocket.  The gentleman then reaches in his pocket and pulls out the loaded 38.  Roger Ranger and Spankie then examine the weapon.  "Sir, do you mind if we take this weapon in for a ballistics test?"  As long as I go with it I don't!  The Ranger then handed the weapon back to the gentleman who placed it back into his pocket.  Roger Ranger and Spankie leave.  About 30 or so minutes pass, and Roger Ranger and Spankie approach the gentleman again who is still on his tractor out in his field.   "Sir, do you mind if we take another look at that weapon?" Nope  The gentleman takes the loaded 38 Special from his pocket and hands it to Roger Ranger.  Roger Ranger then opens the cylinder on the 38 Special and looks down the barrel.  He then turns to Spankie, and says "This is not the weapon." 

 

For those of you who don't watch Forensic Files on television, it takes an expert in ballistics, a slug from the victim, a slug fired from the weapon in question, and a special Comparison Microscope only found in a ballistics lab to begin to tell whether a weapon is the one used in a homicide.  Our Red River Roger Ranger can do it just by looking down the barrel with his 2 eyes!  And before your ask, yes Roger Ranger, I do know the man, I have talked to him before, and my wife's side of the family I am told is somewhat related to him!!!

   

Let me ask you Captain Sweeney....  "What was it about respect that you said to me????"

 

In the last statement under the Job Duties on the Texas Rangers Website  it says, "Assist the Governor's Protective Detail in providing security for the Texas Governor during his official travel throughout the state, as well as other dignitaries."    Think about our Ranger and then think about that statement!!  What if you were the Governor?

 

Click here to Read my letter of Complaint!

 

Click here to Read Captain Sweaney's Response!

 

     Does Captain Sweaney's response even begin to answer my complaint? 

Does Roger Ranger need to be carrying 1 bullet in his shirt pocket?

 

P.S. I also have been told that there is a coroner located in Dallas that will give any cause of death wanted for a price.......  How about it Captain Sweaney,  do you think there could be some relevance to information that the People know about, or does law enforcement not require information from the people!  Red River County Law Enforcement does not solicit information from citizens, because they don't consider their information necessary.  Murders and crime is not printed in newspapers here, because they want to keep everything away from the public!  We have a totally secret police and sheriff's department in Red River County.  Does that remind you of any place else on earth?  Could that be a reason.......................

 

 

 

 

Jimmie Townsend Arrested

                                                                                                                                                                                           1/20/2007

I have received information that Jimmie Townsend was arrested this morning by the Red River County Sheriff's Department as he was traveling on Hwy 271 South of Bogata. DPS assisted in the arrest. The arrest warrant stated the offense as sexual misconduct with a child.  Sources tell me that Jimmie is at this time in the Red River County jail charged with this offense.   Jimmie is still on parole, so this is a parole violation if all the information is true and correct.  

 

Editorial Opinion

 

1/20/2007  

I want everyone  who is reading this to know that I am not  defending Jimmie Townsend.  I have been behind him in the trial, and after his conviction on the theft of the computer because the facts show that he was given a ride on the "VV Express". 

    What I do want to say is that everything I have learned about this arrest is privileged information  and I will not print anything at this time.   I can talk about justice. 

     If Jimmie is proven guilty, by cold hard facts and evidence, then he deserves to spend a long time in jail.    In the same breath, I have doubts, and I have those doubts because every defendant is "innocent until proven guilty".  I hope that Val Varley has some real evidence proving Jimmie's guilt before

 

taking him to trial, and if he does I will stand by Mr. Varley in getting a conviction. 

     What I have seen in the past in a lot of cases in this county is as I have stated before, "smoke and mirrors" and "hasty rides" on the "VV Express" over the RR County Justice Tracks.   Juries in this county tend to look at a person as being "guilty until proven innocent" which also worries me.  

      In this case, I hope that Val has solid evidence that proves Jimmie is guilty "beyond a reasonable doubt" if he goes to trial.   If all Val has is "he said, she said" evidence then his case is not solid and innuendo breeds doubt.   I hope that everyone will be able to see the possibilities from past performance of our justice system if this is the case.  If you read the transcript from the past trial you will see that a considerable amount of unsubstantiated evidence without any conviction or proof was brought into his last trial and used to sway the jury. I know it swayed the jury because I talked personally with a juror.  This folks, is not the balanced scales of Justice!!  Click here to read The Complete Jimmie Townsend Trial Transcript and Exhibits Volume Justice is supposed to take cold hard facts to prove guilt.  Lady Justice is blindfolded and holds a balanced empty scale.  The scale weighs the cold hard facts both pro, and con while the blindfold blocks favoritism by recognition of the parties involved.  If Val Varley has those cold hard facts which will tip the scale toward guilt, then I stand by him 100%,  but if he does not then the doubts of the citizens in our justice system in Red River County will continue to grow, as another victim hangs in the balance. 

    

     I was just told by someone that I hold tremendous respect for that  Senior District Judge Guy Jones in the 202nd. District Court of Bowie County (he was the Senior District Judge when John Miller was the D.A.) would not try an abuse case of this nature unless the victim could pass a lie detector test.  The dignity of the victim was strenuously observed, and the only person allowed in the room during the test was the examiner.  This judge (and this is the type Judges we need more of) stated that there is too much at stake to prosecute anyone unless the victim could pass a lie detector test.  This District Judge would not allow the prosecution of a case, and did not unless they passed.  This makes very good sense to me because a lot is involved with everyone in these type cases.  I totally agree that the victims dignity should most definitely be upheld, but this something that all judges need to do, just to make sure.   Think about it,  what if it was YOUR  life in the balance here?

    Is this something our Judicial System in Red River County is willing to do, or are they afraid to make the effort to balance the scales of Justice with an un-biased highly respected lie-detector examiner? 

     Even if we cannot attend the trial we can read the transcript if this goes that far.  It should prove interesting reading no matter the verdict of the jury, and we will all be able to "see the facts" as presented and the reading of the scale.  I truly hope for all the citizens of Red River County that this case can pass the "smell test", and all doubts "laid to rest".   The citizens of this county, along with all persons affected in the consideration of this matter should "expect no more" and "get no less".