Public Defender Investigator Network

The year is half over, so I thought I’d check in and see where I’m at with the goals I set just over six months ago. On the running front, I’m pretty sure I haven’t run 950 miles, thanks to the issues I had during February and March. But, I’m pleased with the results of the recent half-marathon, and I’m still on track for a decent marathon in September, so I’m okay with that. Have I had a real vacation? Ha, not even close. I’ve had a couple weekends away, which I’m pretty sure don’t count. However, there’s the potential for a trip to Greece on the horizon, which would not only be relaxing in and of itself, but would also give me the chance to spend some time with one of my favorite dads and his two beautiful kids, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed there. Um, I probably haven’t eaten enough cheesecake this year, in fact, I can only think of one occasion where I have, but I’m pretty sure I’ve been consuming enough other carbs to make up for it. My new mantra — wanna run fast? must eat carbs — seems to be working well. BUT, I’m still not pregnant, so that goal has the potential to be carried out this year! Okay, I know I could still get pregnant, but since it’s July and I’m not actively working on it, I think I could well make it through the year without it happening (now my phone will ring and I’ll be told that someone wants another kid lol).

Goals for 2010.5? I’m aiming for a sub-3:30 marathon — I’m planning on running two in the fall, within three weeks of each other, and I hope I don’t kill myself trying to do it. The first is local, and I’m running with a friend who’s training for her first (and by her word, her last), and I think I’ll be happy to get her to her 3:40 goal, I don’t think I’m really going to push myself all out in that one. The second is semi-local, not too far from here, and is supposed to be a fun race, but I’ll be running that one solo, so hopefully I can make it through and make my 3:30 goal. My body seems to be holding up fairly well, but for some issues with my left calf.

On the job front, I’m not holding my breath for a new job by the end of the year, more I’m just taking things as they come. Work is going to get more stressful before it gets easier, but right now I feel like I’m in a place where I just need to chill out, and let the cards fall as they may. I’m keeping my eyes open, but feeling less frantic about things. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still not thrilled living here, but I need to stay focused on other things (like work) right now.

And I’m half-inclined to swear off dysfunctional men for good, but since those seem to be the only ones I’m attracted to, it would make for a lonely existence, so instead I think I’ll vow to keep them at arm’s length.

Thousands of boozy Ontario drivers will be able to avoid trials and help clear court backlogs by admitting guilt starting in 10 days.

The new system, including installation of a monitoring devices that can disable a auto if alcohol is detected, was welcomed Saturday by the CEO of Mother’s Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and a Toronto cop.

With about 4,000 backlogged cases before the city’s courts, MADD’s Andrew Murie said letting first offenders not involved in a crash or reckless driving plead guilty, pay fines and drive again after a three-month suspension “is a good compromise.”

Critics, including some police officers, fear letting even low-end offenders loose — even with auto-disabling Ignition Interlock devices — sends the wrong message in the battle against drinking and driving.

“I don’t agree,” Murie told the Sun.

“Some people think punishment is the only solution,” he said. “We believe in rehabilitation.

“The Interlock is a good tool … it focuses on education,” Murie said.

“There’s a whole backlog of cases to be heard and this will help,” he added.

The veteran Toronto officer said many impaired drivers brought into stations don’t have records and are good risks, compared to “hard-core repeat offenders.”

To qualify for speedier clearances, which the officer said take effect Monday, Aug. 3, accused impaired drivers must agree to a slew of conditions: Pleading guilty within 30 days, agreeing to an electronic breath-monitoring Interlock at the end of their three-month suspension, plus paying $1,200 for the device and $200 monthly monitoring fees.

“Some consideration will be given to those who are already in the system,” he added.

Fines vary depending on circumstances and impairment levels, with additional penalties if a driver is caught breaching court orders.

The officer said the device triggers lights and horns to alert passersby and police if it detects alcohol — disabling the ignition for a high level. Since a blood-alcohol level may be declining, the engine may turn over when a driver tries again 15 minutes later.

On its website, the transportation ministry says about 80% of the 13,000 drunk drivers convicted annually in Ontario are “first-time offenders.”

Swiss authorities confirmed Saturday that a 64-year-old Japanese woman was killed when a popular tourist train derailed in the Alps, and said four other Japanese citizens were in a critical condition.

Some 42 people were injured when three first-class wagons of the Glacier Express travelling between the ski resorts of Zermatt and St Moritz derailed Friday.

Nicole Bayard, a spokeswoman from western Switzerland’s Valais canton, told AFP that “nine are seriously injured including four who are in a very critical condition.”

She added that all nine with serious injuries are Japanese.

Among 23 people who are still hospitalised, 19 are Japanese, two are Swiss and two are Spanish.

Others have been discharged with minor injuries.

Valais police said they were still investigating the cause of the accident.

The Justice Department has announced that no criminal charges will be filed in the Bush administration’s dismissal of nine U.S. attorneys in late 2006. The decision, however, is not an exoneration of the Bush officials, including former attorney general Alberto R. Gonzales.

The Justice Department’s Office of Inspector General and Office of Professional Responsibility concluded in a lengthy 2008 report that Mr. Gonzales and others had made a series of “inaccurate and misleading” statements about the dismissals and called for a criminal investigation to determine whether obstruction-of-justice laws, or laws barring false statements to Congress or federal investigators, were breached.

Nora Dannehy, a career federal prosecutor in Connecticut, was appointed by Bush Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey to look into the matter and has recommended against further action. In a July 21 letter to lawmakers, Assistant Attorney General Ronald Weich wrote that the Justice Department has accepted Ms. Dannehy’s recommendation. There is “insufficient evidence to show that any witness made prosecutable false statements . . . or corruptly endeavored to impede a congressional inquiry,” the letter concluded.

If Mr. Gonzales and other Bush officials did not break the law, they also did not comport themselves in a manner worthy of the nation’s top law enforcement officers. The Justice Department letter cited the firing of U.S. Attorney David C. Iglesias of New Mexico as Exhibit A.

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