A note from Greg Stejskal: “Despite not having sold the screen rights & in an effort to make this story a Holiday classic, we’re running this story again. Happy Holidays!” By Greg Stejskal ticklethewire.com This is a Christmas story, but it really began just before Thanksgiving in 1987, at the Federal Penitentiary in Atlanta….
By Ross Parker ticklethewire.com The head of a marijuana pro-legalization advocacy organization is urging its membership to celebrate the holidays by shopping at Amazon through a designated online link in order to provide funds for its program. Rob Kampia, the Executive Director of the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), sent a message to many of…
By Ross Parker ticklethewire.com A friend named Carolyne was a victim of a vicious and brutal crime last week. Such a crime is especially distressing when its victim is such a gifted and empathic person who has dedicated her life to making a difference in the lives of kids at risk. Her advice and guidance…
By Ross Parker ticklethewire.com The Supreme Court of Mexico this week reversed the ruling of a Mexican intermediate appellate court which had resulted in the surprise release from jail three months ago of one of the murderers of iconic hero DEA Special Agent Enrique Camarena. The decision should dampen speculation about the imminent…
By Ross Parker ticklethewire.com The cut-off IQ for the death penalty in Florida is 70 or less. Freddie Lee Hall scored a 71. He has been on death row for 35 years. Hall was convicted of killing a pregnant woman and a deputy sheriff and, following the jury’s recommendation, the trial judge sentenced him to…
By Greg Stejskal ticklethewire.com It was a cold early spring Saturday morning, and I was following a lead in a rural part of Michigan. I had received a call on Friday afternoon that there was a unique piece of evidence on a farm near the Michigan/Ohio border. When I got to the farm, I made…
By Ross Parker ticklethewire.com Roy C. (Joe) Hayes, the 45th United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan (1986-89), died earlier this month. Although his contributions extended to several other venues, it is this service that stands out for those of us who were privileged to work with and for him in the federal…
By Ross Parker ticklethewire.com Counterfeiting brings to the public mind a rare fake $20 bill, knockoff handbags (spelled “Gucchi”), and a bootleg Tom Cruise DVD. The typical consumer attitude about product counterfeiting ranges from tolerance to apathy, nothing threatening or particularly sinister. But the reality today is more sobering. Not only does counterfeiting and product…
