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Major criminal cases in Klamath County

Friday, November 21, 2008 8:29 AM PST
Here is a list of current major crime cases in Klamath County (please note that this list includes a wide assortment and variety of crimes, some of which may be very upsetting to readers). Most of these cases are being handled locally. Readers who know of other developments in these or other cases, email mdoyle@heraldandnews.com or news@heraldandnews.com.

Matthew Avina-Norris, 19

Background: Avina-Norris is charged with two counts of aggravated murder and aggravated attempted murder of a third person. He is accused of shooting and killing David Kitts, 22, and Marissa Orlow, 20, of Klamath Falls Aug. 19, 2007, in a Bristol Avenue apartment.

Arraigned: Pleaded not guilty. He is in custody in the Klamath County Jail.


Update Oct. 15, 2008: Trial was to begin in May 2009, but because a second indictment alleging another person was involved, the trial will occur jointly and has been postponed to Sept. 8, 2009. Discussions are ongoing regarding a security device that would be used to transport Avina-Norris between jail and court and during court proceedings. Jail staff requested the device because of public safety issues. A second grand jury indictment was issued June 25, alleging additional charges of aggravated murder, murder and attempted murder.

Peter Covarrubias, 37

Background: Peter Covarrubias was arrested in September as a material witness in the shooting deaths of David Kitts, 22, and Marissa Orlow, 20, He is charged with three counts of aggravated murder, two counts of murder, two counts of solicitation to commit murder, two counts of conspiracy to commit murder and one count of attempted murder.

Arraigned: has not been arraigned yet. He is in custody at the Clackamas County Jail for security reasons.

Update Oct. 15, 2008: Covarrubias was charged June 25, months after the first arrests in the murder made, following a grand jury investigation. He will be tried along with Avina-Norris starting Sept. 8, 2008.

Donald Clinton Black, 42

Background: Black is accused of making threats to his girlfriend and preventing her from leaving and assaulting her in March. He is charged with with attempted murder, assault, kidnapping, failing to register as a sex offender, strangulation, menacing, interfering with making a report, attempted assault of a public safety officer, resisting arrest and harassment.

Arraigned: pleaded not guilty

Update Friday, November 22, 2008: A trial is scheduled to begin March 11, 2009.

Richard Earle English, 52

Background: Richard Earle English, 52, of Merrill, is charged with first-degree burglary, strangulation, second-degree assault, fourth-degree assault and attempted murder. He was arrested March 26 for allegedly assaulting his estranged wife.

Arraigned: He was in court March 27 and was in the Klamath County Jail without bail.

Update Thursday, November 14: A 12-person jury trial scheduled scheduled for Sept. 23 has been postponed to Jan. 19, 2009.

Roberta Gilmore, 34, and Jennifer Renee Baker, 24

Background: Baker and Gilmore are charged with first-degree robbery and conspiracy stemming from a Sept. 12 robbery of the Purple Parrot lounge in Klamath Falls. Baker negotiated a deal and was sentenced to 70-months in prison and three years probation for first-degree robbery. A third suspect, Jaime Harrington, 31, was convicted of first-degree robbery in December and was sentenced to 70 months in prison and three years probation.

Arraigned: Pleaded not guilty Sept. 24, 2007

Update: Trial began, negotiations agreements were made in exchange for guilty pleas.

Eddie Hayes, 46

Background: Hayes is charged with attempted murder for allegedly attacking John Persinger’s left inner thigh with a sword on Halloween 2006. He is in custody at the Klamath County Jail.

Arraigned: Pleaded not guilty Nov. 13, 2006

Update Monday October 14: Hayes was convicted and sentenced to 90-months in prison and three years probation.

Steven Baker, 52, and Kim Baalbergen, 49

Background: The couple was charged in December with three counts of sexual assault of an animal, a misdemeanor. According to court records, Baker told investigators he made $12,000 by selling videotapes made last summer of his girlfriend, Baalbergen, having sex with a dog. The dog was taken to the Humane Society. The couple bailed out of jail after their December arrest.

Arraigned: Pleaded not guilty Dec. 18, 2007.

Update Thursday, September 4: The trial has been postponed and has not yet been rescheduled. A trial was scheduled to begin on Sept. 3.

James Landers Clem, Jr., 45

Background: Clem was accused March 17 in a federal case for participating in a cockfighting event in southern Oregon. He is charged in U.S. District Court with conspiracy to violate the animal welfare act, traveling in interstate commerce in aid of a racketeering enterprise and unlawful animal-fighting venture.

Arraigned: He pleaded not guilty March 17.

Update Tuesday, June 10: A trial in U.S. District Court in Medford  scheduled for May 13 has been postponed.

James Colberg, 50

Background: Colberg was arrested March 5 after police officers matched his car with a vehicle suspected of being involved in a robbery at Gottschalks department store in Klamath Falls.

 In it, they found $4,000 worth of heroin, and about $5,100 in watches and other jewelry from the store, authorities said.

He is charged with second-degree burglary, first-degree criminal mischief, first-degree theft, possession of heroin and manufacturing/distributing a controlled substance within 1,000-feet of a school. He was released from jail after posting 10 percent of $110,000 bail.

Arraigned: He pleaded not guilty March 20.

Update Thursday, June 26: Colberg was convicted of first-degree theft and second-degree burglary. He will be sentenced July 15. He also was fined $1,000 for driving under the influence and will have his driver's license suspended for one year. 

David Truman Fry, 32

Background: Fry is accused of shooting at a group of people in front of the Palomino Store in Beatty.

He is charged with three counts of attempted murder, three counts of reckless endangerment and three counts of unlawful use of a weapon. He allegedly crashed into another car in the store parking lot March 2, and then got into an argument with witnesses. As he drove away, authorities say he fired a .22-caliber revolver toward the witnesses.

Arraigned: March 3, pleaded not guilty.

Update Thursday, November 14: A trial has been postponed. A judge ordered a psychiatric examination of Fry and determined he was fit for trial. The trial is scheduled for Feb. 25, 2009.

Devin Michael Hilsabeck, 24

Background: Hilsabeck was arrested March 17 and accused of sexually abusing a 5-year-old relative over a period of several months. He is charged with two counts of first-degree sexual abuse, first-degree sodomy and two counts of sexual penetration. He is in the Klamath County Jail in lieu of $150,000 bail.

Arraigned: Pleaded not guilty March 18.

Update Thursday, September 4, 2008: Hilsabeck was convicted in August of two counts of sexual penetration and sentenced to 200-months in prison. Other charges were dismissed.

Leta Johnson, 79

Background: Johnson has several charges pending against her including 10 counts of animal neglect, maintaining a dangerous dog and four counts of letting livestock run at large.

Animals at her ranch were reportedly starving and escaping to find food or were dying when checked on in April 2007, following the unsolved murder of her ranch hand, Ricky Urban.

Arraigned: Multiple cases.

Update Tuesday, October 14: Johnson failed to comply with court orders to care for her animals. All of the animals except the cattle were removed from her property. She was convicted Oct. 9 of one count of animal neglect, but received a deferred sentence. She died of natural causes at her home later that night.

Armando Lara, 25

Background: Lara is charged with driving under the influence and first-degree manslaughter in connection with the Feb. 16 death of Gary Keppen, 73, a coach, avid runner and bicyclist.

Arraigned: Feb. 26, pleaded not guilty. He was released from the Klamath County Jail after posting 10 percent of $50,000 bail.

Update Thursday, June 26, 2008: A trial has been scheduled for Dec. 3. A judge signed a motion in June to allow Lara to leave the state for work purposes.

David Mallette, 33

Background: Mallette is charged with multiple rape, sodomy and sex abuse charges. He allegedly raped two girls, 13 and 14 when the incidents began, more than 100 times over a six-year period. He was arrested June 26 after barricading himself in the A-1 Budget Motel with a handgun.

Arraigned: He pleaded not guilty in June 2007.

Update November 10, 2008: Mallette pled guilty to first-degree sex abuse, attempted second-degree rape, third-degree rape and second-degree sex abuse. He was sentenced to 92-months in prison and denied alternative incarceration programs.

Randall Ray Martino, 42

Background: Martino is accused of an assault that involved his wife and 14-year-old stepson, who suffered a butcher knife wound. Martino is charged with attempted murder, rape, assault, criminal mistreatment, strangulation and attempting to elude police.

Arraigned: Pleaded not guilty May 8.

Update Thursday, November 14: A judge ordered Martino undergo an examination to determine his fitness to proceed with the case. A trial has since been scheduled for Dec. 2.

Martie K. Mitchell, 35

Background: Mitchell is accused of plotting to kill a law enforcement officer. She was charged and arrested in October 2007 with attempted aggravated murder for allegedly contacting a person to purchase a silencer with the intention of killing a county sheriff’s detective. She allegedly was upset with Sgt. Monty Holloway, who investigated drug and child abuse allegations against her.

Arraigned: Pleaded not guilty Oct. 19, 2007.

Update Friday, September 19: The court is having hearings about Mitchell’s mental state, but no trial date has been set. The next status check hearing is scheduled for Dec. 1.

Jose Manuel Rodriguez-Zepeda, 26

Background: Rodriguez-Zepeda is accused of attempting to murder the mother of his children. He is charged with attempted murder, assault, strangulation, menacing, interfering with making a report and reckless endangerment of another. Authorities say on Feb. 24, 2008, he assaulted the victim by slamming her head into a wall and blocking her airway so she couldn’t breath.

Arraigned: Pleaded not guilty March 5.

Update Tuesday, November 11, 2008: Rodriguez-Zepeda was convicted of recklessly endangering another person and fourth-degree assault. All other charges were dismissed. He was sentenced to 180 days in jail.

Christine Frances Skallerud, 57

Background: Skallerud is charged with the July 17, 2007, murder of her husband, Brent Skallerud, 51, who was fatally shot at their Sprague River Road home in Chiloquin.

She is in custody at the Klamath County Jail with no bail.  

Arraigned: Pleaded not guilty July 26, 2007.

Update Thursday, October 16: A trial scheduled for April 14 was rescheduled to begin Oct. 3, but was continued again. The trial now is scheduled to begin March 2, 2009.

Jason Paul Stubbs, 27

Background: Stubbs is accused of sexual abuse, harassment and official misconduct in a Feb. 12 incident with a student at Henley High School. Authorities say a female student went to retrieve her cell phone after class, and Stubbs allegedly touched her buttock and repeatedly asked her what she would do to get it back.

Arraigned: March 18, pleaded not guilty. He was released from the Klamath County Jail after posting bail.

Update Thursday, October 16: Stubbs' pleaded guilty Oct. 16 to official misconduct. The other charges were dismissed. He was sentenced to 180 months of probation, 80 hours of community service and was ordered to forfeit his teaching license.

John Tolleson, 40

Background: John Tolleson is charged with second-degree manslaughter in the death of Austin Tolleson, who died as the result of a Nov. 26, 2006, motor vehicle accident.

Arraigned: He pleaded not guilty June 5, 2007.

Update Thursday, September 4, 2008: Tolleson’s trial  scheduled for Aug. 18 has been rescheduled for December 16, 2008.  

Barbara Trotta, 39

Background: Trotta, a Mazama High School special education teacher, is accused of giving prescription painkillers to students and having them buy drugs for her over a two-year period.

She was put on administrative leave by the school district after she was arrested in November 2007. She faces charges of using a minor to distribute controlled substances, using a minor to manufacture a controlled substance, delivering a controlled substance within 1,000-feet of a school, delivering a controlled substance to a minor, endangering the welfare of minors and official misconduct.

Arraigned: Nov. 15, 2007, pleaded not guilty.

Update July 22, 2008: Trotta pleaded pleaded no contest to three counts of using a minor in a drug offense and one count of official misconduct. She was was sentenced to 300 days in jail and five years probation.

Michael McDonald (aka Michael Rangel), 31

Daniel Eugene Lunsford, 31

Wesley L. Lobdell, 19

Background: McDonald, Lunsford and Lobdell are accused of assaulting and stabbing a 25-year-old male victim at the Oregon Avenue American Spirit gas station on July 3.

Arraignment: All have pleaded not guilty to their charges. Lunsford is charged with attempted murder and first- and third-degree assaults. McDonald and Lobdell face assault charges.

Update Friday, November 21, 2008: Separate trials for the men were to begin in October, but were postponed.

Major cases with no arrests:

Murder of Ricky Urban, 46

Background: Urban was a Klamath Falls ranch hand that was shot in the face and killed April 8, 2007, outside his Hill Road home.

Murder of Christina S. Hunt, 56

Background: Hunt was found beaten to death May 29, 2007, in a downtown alley between Main and Pine streets.

Murder of Teri Fuller (aka Teri Lynn Slighton), 45

Background: Fuller’s body was found Aug. 30, 2005, on the Wing Watcher trail east of Highway 97 and south of Main Street. Fuller was living in a tent near the trail. The cause of death was determined to be a gunshot wound to the head.

Murder of Michael Halcomb, 38

Background: Halcomb's was found by a friend at his home outside of Bonanza Sept. 5, 2008. Officials said he died a violent death, but are not giving details because the case  is still under investigation and no suspect has been identified. 



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Reader Comments

The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of HeraldAndNews.com. Comment Disclaimer: The editors of heraldandnews.com reserve the right to refuse publication of any comment posted for consideration. We may refuse for any reason, including use of profanity, disparaging comments, libelous comments, etc. Any reader who notices a comment they believe is particularly offensive, should notify us at webmaster@heraldandnews.com.

es wrote on Jun 30, 2009 9:14 AM:

" i still believe if you would go after the parents of teens there would be less trouble. i live in a small town there are kids on the street at 3 am and cussing running up and down because of lack of things to do. where is there a curfew and how come if there is one it is not enforced. and i also thank they should introduce the draft again it would get these kids off the streets. "

e wrote on Jun 20, 2009 8:25 PM:

" chris ricketts is a good person lead down the wrong path maby the county should look into everything surrounding the problem instead of just chris "

Debra Rincon Lopez wrote on Jun 18, 2009 2:27 PM:

" There are quite a few horrible and violent crimes in such a small town? Gee whiz a very small town with big city crimes, I'd say! I hope that someday some sort of peace will come to Klamath Falls, Chiloquin, & Beatty Oregon. Sorry to see all this violence! "

annoyed wrote on Jun 4, 2009 9:35 PM:

" 2 things: First of all, when people post on here they should take the time to make sure that they are spelling correctly! (dictionary.com anyone?) You make people from this town look like one poster said: ignorant red-necks. Secondly, all those people complaining aobut one young lady that is supposedly out on the streets should recall that she is going to prison and this list was called "Pending Cases". It is obviously an old list as well. All of the people posting ignorant comments on here need to find something better to do: A job maybe??? Go back to school??? (yeah, I have a job and a college degree, just to get past that inevitable remark). "

Disappointed in Klamath wrote on May 28, 2009 6:50 AM:

" I notice still no leads on the Ricky Urban murder, Is this because Ricky was unliked by the police force in this town, because he was in trouble with the law a few times and who really cares who killed him, Ricky was a victim at the time of the murder and Ricky had a family, and he was not always a bad person, I grew up with Ricky and he was a good person who went down the wrong path,
sometimes this happens to people. And I am not saying we should forget the crimes he committed (although murder was not one of them) but his life was taken, and this should not be put on the back burner and ignored by our police force. "

OneChick wrote on May 22, 2009 3:29 PM:

" Does anyone update this page????

I know some of these cases are done. Time is being served. "

lm wrote on Apr 5, 2009 9:31 PM:

" About the so called "drive by" shooting. Was the whole thing a set up by the supposed "victim?" Hopefully all of the leads will be investigated, throughly! "

Mike wrote on Apr 2, 2009 4:31 PM:

" Chris Ricketts needs to be put away forever. He IS what Klamath Falls, Oregon, the United States and this world does not need. "

BillG wrote on Mar 25, 2009 5:27 PM:

" Why is the Michael Halcomb murder case not listed in Klamath County ongoing investigations? There is a suspect as far as we know. "

bh wrote on Mar 23, 2009 8:16 PM:

" kfalls,

Not only do they need to get rid of the state police they need to get rid f the DA's too they are just as corrupt if not more so then those in jail the only difference is they have the money to buy therir way out. They like to pick on the people who cant afford a lawyer who have to depend on court appointed that way they can threaten the lawyers and get more people convicted to get more money from the state to pay for their new police station "

k-falls wrote on Mar 23, 2009 4:12 PM:

" if you get rid of the state police here in k-falls ,at least most of the corruptness of this town would be removed "

bh wrote on Mar 15, 2009 10:16 AM:

" DRT you are the only one here that I see is stupid. If they commit the crime they should be posted but not therwise, and the fact because they may be in jail doesnt make them guilty either in fact I know of one who is not guilty but is up there because the DA is a crook and so is the system in this town and all they are doing is stealing from the tax payers to beable to build the new police station and keep the court house open they found away by accusing and arresting people for even things that were minor and they have no evidence but they need the money they get for each person who gets arrested and booked it is just a scam and people are falling for it wake up it is election time they want to look good "

DRT wrote on Mar 14, 2009 8:34 PM:

" Wow are you all that stupid i mean come on you all would not be saying this if the guy who sexually abused your children lived next door and the guy across the street robbed you but you cant prove it. Whats the first thing you all do...... you tell everyone you know and then its gone like a bad case of the runs...... Everyone has a right to know who is possibly or not responsible of thier actions. In prison they will all tell you thier innocent and they didnt do it and it wasnt me and so on...... I worked in the prison system as a Prison Guard and left there to do something more useful with my life than be a full time baby sitter for a bunch of cry babies. I dont care who you are if you did the crime then you should do the time, and yes this means have your name in the paper cause its public records for who screws up and if they are innocent they wouldnt be in jail or prison, they wouldnt have drank that beer and forty before that and drove away from the bar falling on thier face drunk and got busted. As far as Im concerned and I know none of you care, but the innocent untill proven guilty factor doesnt always work cause you could be intimidated by your abuser and still walk. If you dont like the paper or police blotter then dont read the dang thing. Read the nickle if you feel that way. "

Bh wrote on Mar 5, 2009 10:17 AM:

" We do need to know who the convicted ones are and there names but we do not need to know otherwise it just ruins their lives if they have been proven innocent and their families too. "

Suzy wrote on Mar 5, 2009 7:57 AM:

" I agree that you need to update more often. Some of this is old news.I am glad that you are printing the names of sexual offenders.We should know who they are. But would like updates on if they are still in jail or not.Progress on the cases. "

Bh wrote on Mar 2, 2009 6:32 PM:

" They have been updated but the problem is they should not put names on here unless they have been convicted of the crime I know of one who did not do what he was accused of and this will ruin his chances of ever getting a job or having a decent life in this town even when he gets out they will use it against him they wont print anything that will help all they will say is the charges were dropped but that will not help he will still be loked at like he was guilty they should only put names up that are and been proven guilty by naming them now it is making them guilty before showing them guilty I always thought they were supposed to be innocent until proven guilty but that is not the way it is and it is not right or fair to them "

s wrote on Feb 25, 2009 6:41 PM:

" Yes I agree you should update the cases we have in K falls. They are rather old news and I know for sure there is newer cases to be put on. "

Leo wrote on Jan 15, 2009 10:37 PM:

" People! This list is nothing! Other cities and their newspapers don't list these sort of things. I have a relative in Portland who is a police officer and he sees all of these cases in a month and sometimes every week. We are lucky to live in K Falls where these sort of crimes are only committed over many years. Thank you to our local sheriffs and police officers. And may you find yourself safely home after every shift. "

dat wrote on Jan 3, 2009 9:34 AM:

" You know, its the same people over and over again that are getting into trouble. Most other countries don't have the problems we do in the USA they take care if you steal off with your hands, if you kill then you die. If you look at the BIBLE it is an eye for an eye, and if you kill thats it you are killed. come on if we start with corpral punishment these repeat offenders will get a clue. Then we won't have the overcrowded jails or prisions. "

MA wrote on Jan 2, 2009 4:38 PM:

" I agree this web list should be updated but it sure paints an interesting picture for people new to the area. I've lived in Medford and spent most of my life in the Pacific Northwest but moving here to Klamath was a choice we made to be closer to our relatives. I feel safe in this town and always have but I wonder if I'm ignoring reality when I see the kind of violence I read about here. I do not believe crimes in Klamath are any more or less violent just because it's a small town. What I will say is this: comments on any larger towns' news sites are certainly not rife with the kind of misspelling and misuse of grammer I've read here. Klamath isn't more violent. Klamath is simply less educated, at least in regards to the more vocal segment of the population. It makes it hard to take anyone seriously. "

richm wrote on Dec 29, 2008 6:25 PM:

" how about updating this place July is old news "

RC wrote on Dec 28, 2008 6:17 AM:

" H&N... PLEASE clean up and update this very old list !!

It's way overdue!

Many of these "Major" cases are now adjudicated and resolved. "

michelle of las vegas wrote on Dec 26, 2008 8:16 AM:

" Holy cow!! I agree with the one writer - What is in the water over there? My son just moved there last June, yikes, I think he is safer here in Vegas! "

kerry wrote on Dec 21, 2008 8:57 AM:

" what happen whit the Murders in modoc county last september??..any information? "

Cloudbase Dave wrote on Nov 29, 2008 8:46 AM:

" In all of these cases it is from a lack of spiritual direction, lack of a viable economy (oh by the way Dave don't expect your job search to be easy here!) lack of things to do that don't reqquire a fee or price tag to them. As far as the city police are concerned yes they have a rough job to do, made more rougher than it has to be by the lack of updated (non-military/Rambo) training! I qualify these remarks by my three and half years of living here and the fact I have two older brothers in law enforcement. I can also qualify my statemets here by the fact that my profession of being a transport driver allows me to see other parts of this land. Quite frankly Klamath Falls is a boil on the back side of the earth's rear end! "

J L Eversoll wrote on Nov 16, 2008 2:38 AM:

" What a surprise to us, we stayed in Kfalls for a month and didn't hear a peep.
We found the people in Kfalls to be very friendly and helpfull. I know that there is crime every where. But I have found that if there are things for the kids to do and places to go other than fishing and hikeing and bowling. miniature golf or some kind of amusement park. The kids do turn a better note. and a lot less violent. Church is a good answer but it is not for everyone. I am sorry for the ones that did not seek help for simple answers that would have kept them out of the court system. The help is there but you have to ask for it. But I have to give Koodos to the Klamath falls Poliece dept. They take on a job that not every man or woman would do. It takes alot for them to do their job. They are people just like you and I. They put their shoes on one foot at a time just like you and I . They chose to follow their dream as where you and I might have chose the comfortable way. My hat is off to all of them. "

David wrote on Oct 25, 2008 12:13 AM:

" Thank you for this comment page : I have plans of moving to K-falls . even after reading the police reports . the reason is this , I believe that if your not part of the solution your are part of the problem...There are those who make things happen...those who watch what happend... and those who wonder.... WHAT HAPPENED???...There are only two forces at work here the Positive and the negitive . You belong to the power you choose to obey...and you belong to your choice ...everyone has a voice .. What's right is right ,,,what's wrong is wrong .. take the blinders off.. P.S. is there something in the water over there ? letttter me Know..D. "

cheryl wrote on Oct 21, 2008 1:30 PM:

" to why
Visit This Web Site . .

www.FamilyWatchDog.us "

why wrote on Oct 12, 2008 7:17 PM:

" how is it that they let male adult rapos back in the community i think they should let the people know where they are and be publisied so we know who they are . keep are kids safe !!!!! . and send them to prizon "

Lisa wrote on Oct 6, 2008 12:19 PM:

" Everyone wants to complain but do nothing so where do you go from there? "

Fireye wrote on Oct 5, 2008 10:18 PM:

" I am surprised at how many did not pay attention to their history. PROHIBITION doesn't work. Period. I guess some just are not going to figure that out. So stop complaining about crime as that is what feeds it.
Go ahead and build a police state to make you feel artificially safer but the only thing you will get is a larger and more militarily minded police force and lots more crime.
Oh..and some of you are definitely living under an illusion if you think an Oregon prison is "the good life". That is the place where you are creating the monsters of your worst nightmarish fears. So keep building them and enjoy your terror of those you create.
To bad you could not see what happens to a teenager who is not a criminal but a victim of some technical law violation who gets thrown in there with the wolves on some sick mandatory sentencing rule. Don't complain to me if he robs you and cuts your throat on the way out as after all it was you that allowed these state run hells on Earth to exist and prosper.
As I like to say....20 prisons in 20 years roughly in Oregon and then you wonder why the kids of today are becoming so violent and uncaring. The more people you animalize with your prisons the more dangerous life will become for you. It is an endless downward spiral to a hell created out of pure ignorance and apathy.
Most crime can be tied to the fact that drugs are illegal. Make them legal and you can monitor and keep track of things in a most superior manner. The "war on drugs" was lost before it ever began.
Prohibition only makes the policemans job ever more dangerous. The policeman SHOULD be the pillars of our community instead of heading towards the behavior of a militaristic New World Order police state condition where even the slightest infraction of the arbitrary State and county laws and rules brings on charges by the dozen. Just read the cases above. Things will be changing for the worse if we don't get a grip and quit being afraid to try new things because of ignorant and unfounded fear. "

Decades wrote on Sep 22, 2008 11:34 AM:

" "We are so interested in protecting the bill of rights/ constitution that we are sabotaging our Founding Fathers and our Future ability to provide protection under the same."

What rights are you willing to give up? "

John L. wrote on Sep 14, 2008 7:26 PM:

" Kalmath falls was home to me over 40 yrs ago.
My father was Deputy DA for Klamath county, until his demise in 1966.
The courts in Oregon and the country as a whole let my mother , my brother, and myself down, my father was a vey just and honest individual, and would not randomly prosecute, but if the evidence showed that you had been guilty, and that he was able to prove it, he would prosecute to the fullest extent of the law.
Unfortunately the police, the DA's are ham strung by civil liberties groups, some judges are too liberal in their thinking, and then there are just the bleeding heart liberal indiviuals ,and lawyers that claim that the criminal is not responsible for his/her actions, society is to blame, to those of you who belive that crap, you should be the ones paying for the victims expense,and for the "rehabilitatin of the criminal, you should be forced to live with that personactually all of societies woes can be placed squarely on your shoulders, let the police, the DA's , and the judges do their jobs, enough of the lenient sentances for serious crime, if you are one of the DA's or a judge, or even a COP you owe it to society to do the right thing in everything you do ALL the time, you are NOT above the law. Lets all get with the programme. "

RC wrote on Sep 12, 2008 5:32 PM:

" It's way overdue!

Update this list,, Please!!

Many of these "Major" cases are now adjudicated and resolved. "

Bob wrote on Sep 10, 2008 3:48 PM:

" I think that we all need to sit back and think for a minute. What would happen if we helped more of the homeless people and tried to find out why so many people are struggling. I do believe that people can change and I believe that most are willing if we can give them not only the tools they need but the support. "

jeri wrote on Sep 3, 2008 12:01 AM:

" Private citizens who do not violate our constitutional rights to Life, Liberty and
Persuit of Happiness are sometimes accused wrongly, this is what trials
were made for.
Private individuals who DO violate the
rights of others AND are found to be guilty by a jury of thier peers should not be allowed any constitutional rights whatsoever !!
Once thier inability to live peaceably or safely in the presence of others has been established the laws should dis- qualifiy them from protections allowed to all peaceful U.S. citizens.For instance a child, animal or elderly predator who is
unable to be rehabilitated, ei: repeat offenders should simply be terminated by whatever means desired of thier victims.
We are so interested in protecting the bill of rights/ constitution that we are sabotaging our Founding Fathers and our Future ability to provide protection under the same. "

opie wrote on Aug 20, 2008 11:16 AM:

" Hey Sam, i'm sure if you think real hard, you can figure out why someone wanted by the FBI is walking around free. It starts with "S" and rhymes with snitch. "

Sam Q wrote on Aug 7, 2008 9:05 PM:

" WOW, It look like more and more are really fed up with the jail/prisons we have in Oregon. But do you know that it really driven by the state? What you ask, Well let me explain how this works here in Klamath county. Lets said a woman has a child and a meth problem, and the state gets involved, she lose her child goes to jail for 2-4 weeks. the courts offer her treatment and she goes into treatment, she already has a criminal history, and been in treament before 2-3 times before, she completes treament(on paper) stay clean for about 8month to year. gets her child back. And do you think the story is over, No this is where the story starts. I wll explain. "

dat wrote on Aug 4, 2008 10:03 AM:

" Uf we stop giving to the convicts things such as tv, free room and board, and start making them work for the priveledges they have they may get a clue. Those of us that have never been in trouble with the law are tired of having to pay for dead beat cons. They want a free ride show them that there is no free ride in Klamath they commit the crime they do the time and work. "

cj student wrote on Aug 4, 2008 7:31 AM:

" As a student of Criminology, I feel that we do need tougher laws and crimes. These criminals have so many chances, and are not learning from their mistakes. If we continue on seeing the same person over and over, don't you think it's time we change things up? I feel that we don't give them parole, and keep them in jails, take away their privelages, and treat them like the criminals that they are. Why do these criminals have so many rights? Of course if they are homeless, they are going to commit crimes, just so they have a place to eat and sleep. Ok so I have a simple answer to all of my questions....People need to vote when it's time to vote, vote to help change things in the jails. People complain constantly that criminals have this and that, and police are not doing their jobs. Well let's take it back people instead of cutting budgets, vote for them. I think we need to see the budgets change though, I would vote for more police officers and taking away televisions from the prisoners. Both the people and the Jails need to realize where the money needs to go, and I am sorry it's not feeding the prisoners steak and pizza. Let's make jail an unpleasant experience for these criminals so that they never want to return. Yes they may be locked in a jail cell, but they don't care. They have time to wonder around outside of their pods, they still have communication with the outiside, and they still somehow find away to have their drugs. So my question is this, what if we cut all of their privelages off, what would happen then? Make them go back to the chain gang ways, where they are chained up to people and work for the community. I think we need to step out of the boundaries a little bit and become a little more aggressive, change laws, and create a safer environment to live in. I do not feel safe in Klamath Falls, as long as we allow our criminals to walk the streets. I wonder what it would take for the public and the tax payers to vote yes on budgets, rather than no? "

T May wrote on Jul 26, 2008 11:49 AM:

" The problem is every jail and prison should be like Texas,mabee we wouldnt have the same people doing the same crime over and over.Prison in Oregon is like a vacation.Most people arnt aware what all they get to do and have.For god sakes they have t.v in the cells they wear name brand shoses,have concerts pow wows get pizza have steak and fresh vegis do wood and leather work shop.Do I need to go on,they have it better in all the jails and prisons then all the hard working people do.And who pays for every thing they get,we do.In all the prisons back east they are looked down for 23 hours a day and dont have a nice lawn to lay around on.And they have the death penalty for all the child molesters and killers.I think thats great.I dont think killing some one is ok.However I am a wife and a mother,if some one raped my daughter or killed my husband I wouldent want to have to feed that person while he was in prison,and as a tax payer we all pay for these sick pervs to have a nice stay at the lovely state prison with the nice lawn to lounge in the sun eat pizza and have soda and wear nike shoes.I dont even have nike shoes,and i dont lounge around all day.You do notice all the prison doc. on tv are all back east.Noting on the west coast is ever published on tv because they dont want ever one to know what it is like. "

Ken wrote on Jul 25, 2008 9:55 AM:

" I have lived in alot of towns. But have lived in Klamath for the last 15 years. I feel safe walking the streets at night, shoping at any store and talking with the random stranger. I can not say this for any other town or city. We have had our Rapes, Murders, thefts and corruptions. But this town is still home, and far safer then many towns in the US. Our DA with all of his faults, still does a good job keeping the streets safe(r). "

Sam Q wrote on Jul 23, 2008 11:37 PM:

" Well it may not be in the DA's office? But why wasn't Lacy Rich's name even printed in the paper, as a person who was involved with the crime. About 6 months ago her picture and name was posted and wanted by the FBI. So tell me how do you get form being on the most wanted list of the FBI, to walking around town free?Just what kinda deal can someone make with the DA's office. I don't think that the DA's office really needed her. The video from the casion would really show her in fine form. The DA's know her history and thanks for keeping ALL of us safe, Maybe she is really working for you in the DA's office? Nice justice for all. "

Patti wrote on Jul 22, 2008 10:43 AM:

" All of these individuals need help of some kind but the decision has to be theres. Klamath Falls is a great place to live we have a few bad apples ruining the bushel. They need to be put in jail and kept there, so it does not keep happening over and over. Perhaps then they may try to change there ways.
The rest of us can try to be a part of the solution. I am proud how Oregon has handled the methwatch and tried to make a difference. "

mike wrote on Jul 18, 2008 10:44 AM:

" It is apparent that everyone finds one way or another to blame anything and everything for all of the crimes being committed. It's not the DA's fault, because they can only do so much till you need to start looking at the local enviroment. What is Klamath offering to try and stop certin crimes. It's time to wake up and accept the truth.....all Klamath Falls needs is Jesus Christ and until you come to terms with the truth the same things will continue to happen! I pray for you all!!!! "

Sam Q wrote on Jul 17, 2008 11:24 AM:

" Why, do we keep reading about same people over and over in the paper? Same old criminals doing the same crimes? Look at the girl who robbed the KLA-MO-YA casino, she is still walking around town. And her criminal history is as long as your arm, and had been in prison before? It seem like the solution is in the D.A office, why do the DA's keep letting criminals do there crimes over and over, is for funding? To show that there is a real need for bigger,better,safer, building fund? retirement plans? What is, well it's not to keep all of us safe!!!! And she is just one of many criminal out there FREE. "

Jill A wrote on Jul 15, 2008 4:48 PM:

" It doesn't sound like not even half of these crimes are committed by "wanna be gangster" M.E. If you notice the age of most of these criminals, they are well over 30. How sad is that. Small towns are and will always be filled with weirdo's, perverts and people who have nothing better to do with their lives. "

Nancie wrote on Jul 15, 2008 2:14 PM:

" Murders, shootings, molestation, rape, and more murders........Yeah sounds real safe. I agree if you are not part of the solution then you are part of the problem. And where are all these people getting the guns? Where are the Feds? Don't get me wrong, I love Oregon and KFalls is one of my favorite places to be. Some faith in humanity would nice to have, but people keep screwing it up. "

ME wrote on Jul 15, 2008 1:45 PM:

" Don't you know that smaller towns bringer more crimes. K-Falls is a town of wanna be gangsters so they try to make their point by doing stuff like this. Its ok K-Falls is safe! "

Proud of KFalls wrote on Jul 11, 2008 8:31 AM:

" Don't you mean "our little towns"? If you are not part of the solution, Eek, you are part of the problem. Looks like we have another "other parts of Oregon" big-city elite mentality with "Eek", folks! "

Leanne wrote on Jul 3, 2008 12:35 PM:

" Eek. I was under the impression your little towns were safe.... "

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