STUN GUN 101, by Sunny Frazier

On Sept. 3, P.I. and forensic expert Myrl Stebens spoke to the San Joaquin Chapter of Sisters in Crime, Fresno.  Stebens is currently consulting on the re-opened Jonbenet Ramsey case. He has been asked to evaluate the multiple marks on the victim’s body.

He educated the group on the difference between stun guns and tasers. Stun guns can be bought over the counter; tasers are harder to obtain. Tasers have hooks on them, much like fishhooks. With a stun gun, both probes have to make contact in order for the volt to connect.

Can stun guns kill? “You would more likely die from an electrical short on a lawn mower,” said Stebbens.

Twenty years ago, at the time of Jonbenet’s death, tasers were not commercially sold. The investigation of the crime scene at the time was not, in Stebens’ mind, properly or effectively processed. Stebens explained that while he is not supporting any theories but only analyzing the evidence, he does believe two different stun guns were used, possibly indicating two different assailants. There were 14 separate groupings of marks.

In Stebens’ opinion the act was done with a high degree of anger and hatred on the part of the killer.

Next SJ Sisters in Crime Meeting, September 3.

Our scheduled speaker, Nancy Cole Silverman, could not be with us in September.  She hopes to reschedule in the future. 

So we have an opportunity for a special double header:  

David R. Mugridge, top rated criminal defense attorney and Myrl Stebbens, private investigator extraordinaire! 

Mr. Mugridge said that he really wished for time and his materials to give us his interactive presentation on jury selection when he was with us not long ago.  Wish granted! He is coming back for this not to be missed presentation on the real life drama of courtroom defense.  

Myrl Stebbens has some brand new forensics that he used since his last visit.  This was for a case from 1992.  I can hardly wait for details, how about you? 

Join us on September 3, 2016. 

Authors note: since the gentlemen are not selling books, bring your business cards, flyers and books to sell after the presentation.  There will be time in the announcements for each of you to present yourselves and your wares.  

Readers note: bring money. 

Scene of the Crime

Yosemite Falls Restaurant      On Ashlan, West side of 99     EARLY START at 10:00 am

SATURDAY Sept. 3,, 2016. – Please come early by 9:45 so we can start on time.

NOTE NEW LUNCH PRICES         Members - $16.50      Visitors - $21.50

  

**NOTE:  We will be served a choice of Sourdough Cheeseburger, French Dip Sandwich or

                                                                                                                  Apple Pecan Chicken Salad.                                                                                                                                                               

RESERVATION PROCEDURE

RSVP by Wednesday before the meeting

If you can, we highly encourage you email your reservation instead of phoning it in, Thanks.

Please EMAIL TO reservationsforsisters@outlook.com.

NOTE:  please put your lunch choice on subject line

Do not log on to the website, simply send email to the above address.

IF YOU CAN NOT EMAIL Please call 559-431-0360 

AND LEAVE VOICEMAIL

with your name & choice of lunch.

Dial carefully, there is no greeting announcing SJ SinC.

Terrific Meeting Today!

If  you missed the San Joaquin Sisters in Crime meeting today, you did certainly miss out.

Myrl Stebbens  described what it was like gathering evidence to help the defense attorney with his case.

He reiterated that all the TV shows with CSI are entertaining but aren't anything like what really goes on. No crime labs exist like the ones on these shows.

He gave us some rather surprising news--sometimes cops lie on their reports, putting someone in jail who ins't guilty, and it's up to him to discover those lies.

Stebbens reads the reports and goes over everything looking for discrepancies and conflicting statements. He and the attorney always go to the crime scene to check it out. Both he and the attorney are fighting for the clients.

Stebbens said he gathers buckets of shit (evidence) and gives it to the defense attorney to decide what he can use.

Defense Attorney Mugridge discussed the problems he faces as the defense attorney.

He said the constitution is being tweaked by the government. What is being said is that a person is being judged by a jury of peers--but the constitution says, that the accused should be judged by an impartial jury, one that is open-minded.

A large percentage of the people don't realize how important it is to have a criminal defense.

Not all criminal attorneys do a good job, no one judges them.

He gave some really interesting examples of people he's defended. He says he must do the best he can to defend the person.

He never asks, "Did you do it?" Some confess who aren't guilty

This was a meeting well-worth attending--and the food was great.

And by the way, I got some ideas for my next book.  Through the years, I've gathered many ideas for plots for my books.

Marilyn