This was in the comments section of the Cobb -Strictly Old School Website . There was no name attached, but the person claimed to have represented Shaquanda on appeal of her sentencing.  Some of these statements had been sent to me earlier by someone that I has covered the case extensively.  Check it out. I was appointed to represent Shaquanda on appeal after she was convicted...I did not represent her at trial. There are a few comments that need to be made about the DA's statement. First, Shaquanda was never offered probation from the DA's office. You don't have to take my word for that, it's in the trial transcript. I filed a motion for new trial as part of the appeal. I called the trial lawyer and asked him if a probation offer had been made. He answered "no." This was never disputed by the DA's office. Later, after trial , I specifically asked if a probation offer had been made. The DA said "no." That ended my enquiry into the plea bargain part of the case, and I filed my appeal with the Texas sixth Court of Appeals. My grounds , among others, are ineffective assistance ...

Howard has done such a great job with this story, please visit his coverage of the young girl's release here at the Chicago Tribune .

The Paris News ——————————————————————————– Shaquanda Cotton to be released Saturday Staff reports The Paris News Published March 30, 2007 Shaquanda Cotton is to be released Saturday from the Texas Youth Commsssion facility in Brownwood, according to a report from the Associated Press. “We are glad she is getting out and are happy for her family but we have concerns about the way it is happening,” Lamar County District Attorney spokesman Allan Hubbard said. Rep. Harold Dutton, the Houston Democrat who chairs the House juvenile justice committee, said the newly appointed conservator of the Texas Youth Commission told him Cotton was being freed, according to the AP report. “This is one of those cases that is the poster child of everything wrong with the criminal justice system,” Dutton told the AP. Dutton said he was informed of Cotton’s pending release by Jay Kimbrough, who Gov. Rick Perry appointed to investigate the agency accused of ignoring multiple allegations of sexual and physical abuse of young inmates. “Apparently, cases that get the most public attention can grab the ear of state legislators who can simply order people to be freed from incarceration,” Hubbard said. “That sets an alarming precedent.” ...

The Paris News Reports that Shaquanda Cotton will be released to her mother on Saturday morning.

Pegasus News has an article on The Texas Criminal Justice Coalition's (TCJC) release of this year's analysis of Texas' racial profiling data from traffic stops performed by Texas law enforcement agencies.  In the article, The TCJC commends State Senator Royce West for "filing a bill to address continued problems with way agencies collect and report required racial profiling data."  You will find the Pegasus news article here .

I was contacted by Allan Hubbard this morning who serves as Victim Witness Coordinator  & Media Spokesman for Lamar County (county where Paris, Texas is located) and the District Attorney's Office.  I'd heard Allan on the radio and thought about interviewing him for Dallas South, but he got to me first.  Mr. Hubbard directed me to the DA Office's website which lists what they refer to as "facts" in the case of Shaquanda Cotton.  I will post those for you to read here.  Well.......here it goes. Important information about the Shaquanda Cotton case FACT: This juvenile girl assaulted a teacher, who by Texas law is a public servant, in September 2005. It was witnessed first-hand by two other teachers who testified. FACT: Before trial, the Lamar County and District Attorney's Office (prosecutors) offered a plea bargain reduction from felony to misdemeanor assault and 2 years juvenile probation, which the mother and ...

When I flipped to the GuideLive section of Wednesday's Dallas Morning News, I noticed a familiar grouping of colors and shapes.  It was the work of my childhood friend Trenton Doyle Hancock.  That particular piece is seen above, and called Good Vegan Progression #2. It is part of exhibit "Fast Forward:Contemporary Collections for the Dallas Museum of Art."  I contacted my friend and asked him for an interview about 'Good Vegan' as well has some other things he has going.   Trenton was born in Oklahoma City but grew up in Paris, Texas.  Our mothers were both church musicians and good friends, so we spent a lot of time playing together growing up.  He always seemed to be drawing something, and took a keen interest in toys.  After graduation, our lives took different paths.  Trenton first attended Paris Junior College (where he's recognized as a Distinguished Alumni) then went on to received his Bachelor's of Fine Arts from Texas A&M-Commerce.  He shared a studio there with John Spriggins. I kept up with Trent through my mom, but the next time I actually saw him was in the Dallas Morning News for a show he was doing at the Ft. Worth ...

I thought I would compile some of the comments that I have received recently from people who live in Paris, Texas. From Paris Girl: I am from Paris, Texas. I still live here to this day and I graduated from Paris High School and was a part of PISD for as long as I can remember. First, the facts, Miss Cotton is a menace to society! The child and her mother both constantly look for someone who "MAY" be treating them unfairly. She pushed a hall monitor. Someone who takes there time to watch over our children and teach them. Someone we depend upon to make sure that our schools are safe and that OUR children, the ones that are taught manners and not to disrespect people, young or old, are safe. Plain and simple, pushing a hall monitor, a teacher, a principal, another student, anyone....wrong. The 58 year old woman that she pushed was an elder to her. I don't know about you, but my parents taught me to respect my elders. Do you let your children walk around pushing others who tell them to be quiet? The child has been in trouble numerous times (around 17 i think) ...

On Tuesday, comedian and radio host Rickey Smiley led a protest at the courthouse in Paris, Texas for racial justice and equality.  Mr. Smiley is host of The Rickey Smiley Morning Show here in Dallas.  Here are some links whrere you can find coverage of the events from Dallas TV stations.  Video of the protest is available at these sites. WFAA Channel 8's coverage can be seen here .  KDFW Fox 4 News' coverage can be found here .  CBS Channel 11 reports on the protest here .  KXII Channel 12's' out of Sherman, TX reports  here .  I've heard from some local folks who have been pleased with their coverage with them being closer to the situation. The Paris News' coverage  is here .  (Print, no TV stations in P.T.) It's a good thing that Rickey did today.  I didn't agree with the slant that the show took on the issue, but he did what he thought was right and I applaud him for that.  Mr. Smiley has been very active in the Dallas community since coming here.  He moderated a men's conference I helped put together at my church last year. Rickey was both funny and insightful, ...

The Chicago Tribune and Howard Witt were really the catalyst for the nationwide interest in the story of Shaquanda Cotton. Check out the front page Chicago Tribune story here detailing how the sentences of 4,700 delinquent youths now being held in Texas' juvenile prisons might have been arbitrarily and unfairly extended by prison authorities. Many of them, including Shaquanda, could be freed very soon. Also take a look at a commentary Mr. Witt has written regarding the Power of the African-American Internet Community. In his article that also appears in Tuesday's Tribune, Mr. Witt refers to the Black Blogging Community as "a new, 'virtual' civil rights movement out there on the Internet that can reach more people in a few hours than all the protest marches, sit-ins and boycotts of the 1950s and 60s put together.  There's no doubt the power of this medium has been displayed over the last few weeks.  Even here at Dallas South,  the effects have been shocking to say the least.  Over the last week, traffic on the site has increased 400-500%.  This includes the two days with the highest number of unique visitors and page visits since I started the blog last ...