I used to be a night person, but nearly eighteen years ago there was an overnight change the day after Holly died. Ever since then I have been an early-riser like she was.
Before she died, Holly promised me “I’ll haunt you if I can.” But I never imagined that she would move in and that this would be the result. I’ve been up this morning since 3:30 am and my wait for news from Memphis seems longer than it otherwise might.
I just received an e-mail from Matt, who is also an early-riser, and he is on pins and needles waiting for the news. I know that others in time zones all over the world are waiting, too. Roberta, who lives in England, just posted a comment on yesterday’s blog post. “It’s turned noon here in England and waiting to know the outcome.”
A couple nice things happened yesterday that are making today’s wait a little easier to handle.
The first is that I received a call yesterday afternoon from a woman in New England in response to yesterday’s appeal for contributions. She wanted to tell me she was putting a $5,000 check in today’s mail for James Prindle’s defense.
“I wish it could be the whole ten thousand you need,” she said. She told me she was sending us her family’s vacation money. (She is the second person to have told me this. Our friend Rainer in Germany did the same thing for James.)
Knowing that people are willing to make personal sacrifices like this reminds me that I am not waiting alone. It makes the wait a lot more bearable.
The second nice thing that happened yesterday is that a music CD arrived that I had tried to order from Europe a long time ago, but never received. Now it is here and the house is filled with the lovely voice of Carminho, a rising star from Portugal who is one of the new standard bearers of Fado (Portuguese pronunciation: ‘faðu, meaning “destiny” or “fate”), a music genre which is characterized by mournful tunes and lyrics, often about the sea or the life of the poor, and infused with a sentiment of resignation, fatefulness and melancholia (loosely captured by the Portuguese word “saudade“, or “longing”).
The funny thing is, this music cheers me—probably because I don’t understand Portuguese.
Anyway, I’m listening to Carminho and working at my desk as I wait for news. I will keep adding to this post throughout the day as new information is learned, just like I did yesterday. So you may wish to check back from time to time.
(If you only read yesterday’s post once, you may wish to take a second look. There were late night developments.)
۞
8:00 am – Stephen has just called from the courthouse. He says nothing is happening there yet. No one but him is around. He told me he looked for some papers to bring to court, and they are missing. Someone has apparently gone through his motel room and taken them. Mosquitoes.
11:35 am – In an extremely short hearing, the judge granted a 7-day continuance while James is being evaluated by TDOC. Sentencing is rescheduled to July 18th.
This is very good news. It gives us an additional week to continue developing information about the real perpetrator and to identify and engage new defense counsel.
I am being torn in several directions at once by ringing phones, etc., and will write more a little later. We can all breathe a little easier and dispel any sense of gloom we have been feeling.
This development reminds me yet again that James’ fate is in God’s merciful hands.
۞
It is nearly 11:00 pm and I have not kept my promise to write more.
There has been another contact with our informant, and the true picture of the crime is coming into focus for us. The vileness of the evil done to James and the other kids involved is almost beyond comprehension. James is only a patsy. All of the people involved in the assault of Neily Shea Sanders are becoming known to us, as well as the connections between them.
We are sharing this information with a large enough network of our people so that these dark secrets, once only known within a criminal web, are secrets no longer. They are being shared with the FBI. They will be revealed to you soon. Please be patient.
This is exhausting. I have been going nonstop all day. I must get some sleep. I am, after all, an early riser.
۞
Groove of the Day
Listen to Carminho performing “Lágrimas do Céu” (Tears in Heaven)
Wandervogel Diary 
Rick Rout, candidate for Memphis-area court clerkship, clashes with county job supervisors
By Daniel Connolly
Memphis Commercial Appeal
Posted July 11, 2012 at midnight, updated July 11, 2012 at 12:10 a.m.
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jul/11/rout-a-candidate-for-memphis-area-court-clashes/?CID=happeningnow
God bless those angels from England and Germany.
Can’t stop thinking about James, not knowing what to expect anymore.
Someone took the papers about court from stephen, how horrible them jerks touching whats not theirs.
Gloria, i cant stop thinking about james prindle either, cause what he has been thru and in for when he goes to the hellish prison. thats total scary. everyday i wanna wake up and pray for things not just self and things i go thru and my friends but i pray for james prindle and wanna pray for blade, jordon, alex, dominic as well. but main concern is for now james prindle. breaks my heart and stressed and yes i cry for him. It is not fair at all and stupid that he was found guilty when he did no wrongs and we have a suspect now came up and this other dude may of done it admitted that james didnt do it and when this person did the crime and got away with it and passed the blame all on james. then well theres other people i blame for a wrongfull conviction, judge, attorney prosecutor, jury, sanders and others who was after james. his whole family for crying outloud.
Interesting disparity in whether J.P. was allowed to speak at his last hearing. Perhaps they meant that he did not testify.
“Prindle had the chance to speak at his last court appearance, but he chose to remain silent.
If he still wants to address the court today, he will be able to do so during his sentencing.”
http://www.wmctv.com/story/18999330/teen-convicted-of-raping-his-baby-sister
Wonder how many times we can refresh this page without crashing it? (LOL)
Still waiting in VA. 😦
Will Stephen file a police report? Stupid question? Heck, I don’t know anymore.
I hate waiting… 😦
Can that be considered as good news? I mean at least you all have now 7 more days to investigate. I don’t know what to think about this delay.
I see he has another court date set for the 18th July, has sentencing been postponed?
The waiting game is never an easy one. Today is definitely a day for everyone to have the opportunity to witness miracles in regards to James case, All the way to the angels that have chipped in for his defense. As far as the missing documents, no need to fret there either, I have personally contacted the general manager Courtney and have filed a report and have asked that they be a little more insightful as to whom is coming and going and she has assured me her staff will do just that. I spoke with Stephen and just so happens we were already prepared for the mosquitos to try something like this, and so those documents can be retrieved….too bad shelby county we know you all too well and had prepared for your game…..the jokes on you. You were warned before that we will not stop or go away until James receives the Justice he deserves and the real perps being held accountable for the horrific crime that James is falsely being accused of. Yes we are still here and we are watching very closely.
Just read that they postponed for another 7 days ,which will give those good people who are ous goings on !! attending court in support of james ,the chance to do what they hope to and help james as much as they can .I ve never met james but having grandkids same age ,I ve felt real lot for james with the situation he is in .Find it sad that papers went missing ,just tells me that u have trod on somewthing so to speak .I admire STEVE for all the hard work and effort he puts into helping these young people when they often have little or no help .Laws in court in U.S.A are extreme way ,over the top .Had this case been held in England ,james would be free ,real culprit in custody and the judge down on the unemployment que along wi jameses lawyer .Have been amazed at how person brags about commiting a crime and nothing is done and a rapist is still free and bragging about it .Makes me wonder if steve is about to uncover a mountain of evidence due to few happenings .thinking about person who gave photo evidence and other things said ,child porn ring etc .think they gonna uncover some serious goings on .I have been pacing the floor most the day hoping they released james .please let james know that the entire world has him to mind .may god keep that lad safe .
I think this is very interesting for Parents and Childrens to know.
Charged with a crime? Talk to a lawyer.
Pamphlet created and distributed by the Southern Poverty Law Center in order to encourage kids not to waive their right to counsel, and to insiste they be provided a lawyer. It’s easily adaptable to any state’s specific laws.
Click to access sjdc_chargedpamphlet.pdf
http://www.juveniledefender.org
Good news about the postponement.
My advice to my own kid: when confronted by the police, it’s “yes, officer,” “no, officer,” and “I do not wish to answer questions withou a lawyer present to represent me.”
Cautiously optimistic concerning James.
I’ve given my kids similar advice. But I have also added to not answer questions unless their mother or I are there. The police could easily introduce some sham lawyer to make them think it’s okay to talk.
Hey ther Dan, As we would say (with a LOT of fervour) “BLOODY GOOD NEWS”. I was talking to a couple of the younger members of The Gang yesterday & they were asking about James’ situation – could only tell them that I, like a lot of others around the world were on tenterhooks waiting for some information about his situation. We are all here behind James. Please, if you are talking to Stephen (or even James himself) let him know that his “Aussie Family” (as he has taken to calling us) are behind him 100% (and a lot more) whatever happens. Take care yourself mate. £ance.
What’s happening in Memphis must be known by everyone and be careful who you turn your discoveries to, surely America does not want another Sandusky case all over again.
Report: PSU officials discussed reporting Sandusk
http://www.greenwichtime.com/sports/article/Report-Penn-St-officials-concealed-sex-abuse-3700849.php#ixzz20QB0fzuq
quoted by the article:— Joe Paterno and other top Penn State officials hushed up child sex abuse allegation against Jerry Sandusky more than a decade ago for fear of bad publicity, allowing Sandusky to prey on other youngsters, according to a scathing internal report issued Thursday on the scandal.
“Our most saddening and sobering finding is the total disregard for the safety and welfare of Sandusky’s child victims by the most senior leaders at Penn State,” said former FBI Director Louis Freeh, who was hired by university trustees to look into what has become one of sports’ biggest scandals. “The most powerful men at Penn State failed to take any steps for 14 years to protect the children who Sandusky victimized.”