" Are there any doubts as to whom our JG-TC reporter would like to see in our state's atty's office? Slanted? Follow up with Ferguson, after the forum? "

" Not to mention, that it took Nathaniel West to even report the Baba incident.
Shouldn't that have been the court reporters job? Mr. Fopay? "

" Not enough evidence? Baba signed his own confession! "

" Lets not totally show disregard for the horses, but how about the way that Ferguson and Komada have conducted their policies for sex offenders? Mostly sex crimes against our children. Yes, I am stealing this post from 85grad, but where is the justice?

August 12, 1999
Jimmy S. Derixson, 22, 2008 Champaign Ave., pleaded guilty to reduced charges of aggravated criminal sexual abuse alleging he fondled a girl and had her and a boy fondle one another on May 2. At that time, the girl was 5 years old, and the boy was 4 years old.

The original charges were counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child that accused Derixson of engaging in intercourse with the girl and forcing her and the boy into intercourse as well.

A conviction of those offenses would have required a prison sentence of six to 30 years.
Reduced charges and was given 5 yrs prison...

Komada handed out this sentence.
Neither Fair nor Firm!!!

--------------

September 3, 1999
Section: News

Charleston man sentenced for sexual assault. Sex offenders
Dave Fopay

CHARLESTON -- A Charleston man was sentenced on Monday to the maximum term of probation, four years, for the sexual assault charge to which he pleaded guilty in June.

Alonzo Clinton Reed, 48, whose last known address was on Division Street, must participate in a sex offenders program through the Coles County Mental Health Center, in addition to other counseling.

Reed pleaded guilty to a charge of criminal sexual assault that accused him of engaging in sex acts with a girl between December and April. Court documents said he admitted fondling the girl and having her fondle him.

There was no agreement on a sentence at the time Reed pleaded guilty. However, at Monday's hearing, State's Attorney Steve Ferguson and Public Defender Lonnie Lutz agreed on the probation term because of the findings of a presentence investigation.

Circuit Judge Paul Komada accepted the sentence, noting that the probation officer who conducted the investigation concluded that Reed's likelihood of successfully completing probation was "fair."

Ferguson added that the county mental health center evaluated Reed after he pleaded guilty and found him to be a good candidate for its treatment program.

Reed could have received a prison sentence of four to 15 years for the conviction.
------------------

Both of them involved in the last case. Probation for child molesting? "

" This is why it is Time For A Change!

Coles County Voters;
The following Information was provided by the Illinois State Police Sex Offender Registry, Judici.com-Coles County, and Our Local newspaper JG-TC.

I need to show you Former Judge Komada, and Steve Fergusons policy for sentencing sex offenders. You won't like it!
It is Time For A Change!!!

--------------------------

Don't have space to list them all, but if you think it isn't common practice giving probation for child molesting in Coles County...Think Again!!!
------------------
Anthony Duane Bell, 25, of Humboldt was sentenced to two years in prison, followed by four years of probation for his conviction for criminal sexual assault, manufacture of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance. Bell pleaded guilty in July, admitting that he engaged in a sex act with a 2-year-old girl on Jan. 23, that he had prescription painkillers when he was arrested for that offense two days later and that he had methamphetamine on May 17. Police documents in Bell's case indicate he admitted to the sexual assault but claimed he was angry and accidentally committed an act of penetration on the girl while changing her diaper. Terms of his probation, which will start upon his parole from prison, included paying for any counseling the girl might need, no contact with child, counseling and fines and contributions to social agencies totaling $610. Victim 2 yrs old.
------------------------------

A Mattoon man who had pleaded guilty to sexual conduct with a young girl was placed on probation for four years with orders to pay for the victim's counseling.

David S. Dennington, 37, 213 Woodlawn Ave., pleaded guilty last month to a charge of aggravated criminal sexual abuse in exchange for the dismissal of more serious charges.

He admitted engaging in the conduct with the girl sometime during the past year. He must do a year of work-release jail time as part of his probation.

Others terms included orders to undergo mental health treatment, to have no contact with children under the age of 17, and to pay fines totaling $610. Victim was 9 yrs. old.
---------------------------------

a Charleston man received the maximum term of probation, four years, for aggravated criminal sexual abuse charges.

Dennis G. Morgan, 39, who listed an address of 505 N. Division St., Lot 44, entered a negotiated guilty plea to charges accusing him of fondling a girl and having her fondle him during February.

Terms of Morgan's sentence including mental health treatment and no contact with anyone under the age of 17.

He must also serve a 180-day jail sentence, though he received credit for 95 days already served. Six months of home confinement was stayed pending his progress on other probation terms.
--------------------------

A Mattoon man must undergo a sexual offender's treatment program after he admitted Monday that he sexually abused a teen-age girl last month.

Dewayne L. Ethington, 27, 1312 Lafayette Ave. Apt. 6, entered a negotiated plea of guilty to a misdemeanor charge of criminal sexual abuse and was placed on probation for two years.

A felony charge of aggravated criminal sexual abuse against Ethington, who chose not to have an attorney represent him, was dismissed in exchange for his plea.

Ethington must also have no contact with the 15-year-old girl he was accused of fondling on Feb. 12, and pay $210 in fines. Thirty days in jail were stayed pending his progress. 15-year-old girl!
----------------------------

CHARLESTON -- A man who admitted fondling a teen-age girl was sentenced last week to the maximum term of probation. Gary E. Good, 50, 3104 N. County Road 330E, Charleston, was placed on probation for 30 months for the criminal sexual abuse charge to which he pleaded guilty in July. Good admitted that he fondled the girl on Dec. 14 when she was under the age of 18. A more serious charge of aggravated criminal sexual abuse was dismissed when he pleaded guilty. He was ordered to undergo counseling, including sex offender treatment, and to pay $1,110 in fines. Good was also sentenced to three months in jail with an additional three months of jail time stayed pending his progress. Good could have received a prison sentence of one to three years for the offense. The dismissed charge could have resulted in a three- to seven-year prison term or up to four years of probation. Victim was 13 years old.
----------------------------------

Police arrested Jeffrey F. Flenner, 39, of Mattoon at 3:36 p.m. Tuesday for failure to register a change of address as required by sex offender compliance statutes.

Flenner, a registered sex offender in Coles County, allegedly stayed at various motels in Mattoon while failing to comply with registration through the Mattoon Police Department. Flenner was sentenced to 30 months probation in 1992. Victim was 11 yrs. old.
--------------------------------------

Jimmy S. Derixson, 22, 2008 Champaign Ave., pleaded guilty to reduced charges of aggravated criminal sexual abuse alleging he fondled a girl and had her and a boy fondle one another on May 2. At that time, the girl was 5 years old, and the boy was 4 years old.

The original charges were counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child that accused Derixson of engaging in intercourse with the girl and forcing her and the boy into intercourse as well.

A conviction of those offenses would have required a prison sentence of six to 30 years... 5 year prison sentence! Not even close to enough time!
------------------------------------

Rickie L. Craig, 26, who listed an address of 3221 Marshall Ave., was ordered to serve four years on probation.

Craig pleaded guilty on March 1 to charges of aggravated criminal sexual abuse alleging he fondled the girls, had one of them fondle him and exposed himself to both.

Records indicated that he has several prior criminal convictions, including a conviction of a similar offense in Indiana, where he received prison time.

Under the terms of his probation, Craig must pay for any counseling that the two girls might need. One of the victims was 4 yrs old!
---------------------------
Patrick C. White, 40, 812 N. 34th St., Mattoon, received the maximum probation term of four years for the sexual abuse charges to which he pleaded guilty in July.

White was accused of touching and harassing three girls, ages 12, 9 and 8, while they were outside his residence on May 9.

Just another Judicial Joke!!! I know Ferguson was in charge of the State's Atty's Office at that time! I am also positive Judge Komada was on the throne for most of those "sentences", or lack of!!! Another great deal!!! FOR THE PERVERT!!!
It is time for a change!
Please vote Todd Reardon for State's Atty!!!
Protect Our Children!!! "

" powerful stuff. our courthouse is full of corruption "

" Those perverts are lucky my child wasn't one of their victims. Steve Ferguson and Paul Komada are also lucky! "

" Are they going to have a real debate? "

" Politics = Policy "

" He lost my vote when his sticker covered up the football scores on the front of Saturdays paper. Don't mess with the football scores. "

" i know a vicitm of the states attorney's corruption! the office of Steve Ferguson hands down the same punishment of 2 years probation on a first time felony conviction as they do a sex offender? The felony conviction did not harm anyone, did not take anything from any one and did not involve anyone but the person who was convicted of the felony! Not to mention that they had to have a public defender cause he couldnt afford a paid attorney and that appointed attorney did not represent him in the matter that he should have! Even the public defenders in this county dont represent their clients to the fullest!They are employees of the county, thats where they get their paychecks and the people in this county that have to be representd by these attorneys ought to relize that they aint their to help them in anyway! They are gonna do what they can for the state to come out with a conviction! And we also should relize that some of the people who end up in the fate of the countys criminal system are their by complete ignorance of other county officials such as probation and/or task force and the charleston police dept. As was the nature of the first time convicted felon that i mentioned at the beginning of this post! He was charged with one felony on the ignorance of the countys finest and the state couldnt make that one stick so that one was dropped and another was filed! Had the other county officials done thier job and the proper investigation he should have never been arrested on the first felony!! So he got caught up in the system with yet another form of corruption by a court appointed public defender!He received 2 years probation! Seems to me that a first time offender shouldnt have received the same punishment as a sex offender? Justice??? So Coles COunty it is time for a change- We need a whole slew of county officials in office, perferably ones that are not in the position cause they wanna take advantage of the citizens of the county, such as the current office and his employees have done and I dont know that it would be in the best interest of the county to have a former judge of the county in the position of States Attorney either! He was there once and didnt last and he knows the way to take advantage possibly more than what we have already experienced! And lets also not forget the high turn over rate the office has now!! Why is that? I think its pretty odvious what/who Coles County needs to see a positive change!! "

" Coles county has been soft on serious crime, for the duration of Ferguson's time in office. Weekly court reports, attest to this constantly.

A man commited murder, with a gun on a city street, recently and got 8 years. Simply commiting a felony with a weapon, should have been stiffer than that. Animal abuse, has the capability of being prosecuted at the felony level, in this state. I have cited the statutes previously, and the ASPCA has state animal laws listed on its site, if you need substanciation.

We don't have all the evidence, we can't honestly evaluate much information from the "News" this paper puts out on anything, and be sure we even used the honest facts. We can come to some conclusions, over the course of things, using various sources, and decide if justice was served, or is even persued, more often then not.

The current SA stands on his record. He apparently is doing this per capita, and not trying individual cases, on their own individual evidence. We can't have a pick and choose philosophy on any of it. Justice isn't a fines equal buying your way out of serious trouble, measure of prosecution, in most people I have ever knowns thoughts on the matter.

All cases need to be prosecuted to uphold the law. Serious crime, needs to be squashed, and minor crimes can't be completely overlooked, there has to be a balance.

Some assistant SA spots, are menial and a deffinate stepping stone, giving court experience to new lawyers. Minor crime, should be put in the hands of this group, leadership, guidance, and a waiting list for replacements, when rapid turn over does happen in these spots. We don't need long term retention, of minor crime prosecutors. We don't need qualified and not so, handling any and all cases.

Accountability, integrity, and an accessable open office environment, needs to be part of the focus of the next SA. Another part of the entire court function of judges and SA, needs to be law enforcement seminars and education. If a type of case is continually comming in, with insufficient evidence that should have been there to keep them charged at higher levels, it needs to be communicated, and proper training and any other steps, necessary to have justice honestly represented by this office.

We may need to foster some outside ideas, of additional crime deturrents. Petty criminals, standing out in public bearing signs they commited the crime, and are repentent for it. This counties probation system, used to be quite a mess. I don't have exposure to as many criminals, and law enforcement, for the last several years, but I haven't heard of any major changes in the system, to have me believe issues aren't still complicating the probation system. The next SA, needs to coordinate as possible, with who ever possible and necessary, to get probation completely clean and free of corruption.

Their are many issues with the current office holder, on many levels, that keep the office form effectively holding justice to as high a standard as the people of the county, should expect. This fact should especially be expected from a multiple term holder, who has had ample opportunity to make needed changes internaly, and run this office soundly.

It is currently an abyss. Questions don't get answered, calls don't get returned, service is not anything like any office should be expected capable of providing. If justice was served at this cost, I would say it is a fair price. It isn't, and I don't believe another term, has been presented to show any improvements on any of the many issues this office is constantly been tangled in, for the duration. "

" AMEN to what big daddy had to say "

" Ferguson deserves credit for cleaning up the office of states attorney of Coles county. Before his tenure began, a hefty political donation would take care of things like DUI's, etc. Looking at the morals, personal values and community involvement of all three of the candidates, I'll choose Ferguson.

Two of the three candidates have less than sterling reputations. Ask around and you'll get the picture. How a person conducts himself in his private life in a good indicator as to how he will do on the job.

Is Ferguson perfect? No, but he is a proven commodity and doesn't carry all the personal baggage nor the questionable reputation of his two opponents.

I seriously question all the comments made by the so called 85CHSGRAD person. There seems to be an obsession going on here. You have to ask yourself what it's about. It goes way beyond normal support for any candidate. I suspect as other have said that it's really Reardon using this format for his pursuit of a regular paying
job.

So tell us Todd, are you going to eliminate plea bargaining, along with creating all those new jobs for the county that your amateurish web site boasts about? Looks like we better start doubling the size of the courthouse to accommodate all those trials. And you claim there are too many assistants now. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see right through your rhetoric, Todd.

The office of states attorney should not be a training ground nor should it be someplace for a retired officer to exact revenge.

I have a lot more I cold say, but I doubt it would get past the monitor. "

" I'm not a huge Reardon fan, but after this I'm voting for him. In fact, I'm wondering where can I get a Vote for Reardon shirt and where do I sign up to campaign for him? I don't think Ferguson should be in the office any longer and I don't support Komada given his history so how can Reardon do worse?

Vote for Reardon "

" I agreee with "Earlybird on the States Attorney office should not be used as grounds for training! But thats the only think i agree on!! Maybe thats why the pedophioles and serious criminals in this county get the same sentence as a first time convicted felon! LACK OF EXPERIENCE!!! The way i have comphrehended todds views on plea bargains is if the state in confident that they have a case then there would be no need to bargain if their is no case no need to even file the charges therefore no need to bargain! I thnk that when todd gets elected we will see alot of the corruption gone in the office! In this town a officer will arrest you on probable cause right? And they have to uphold their duty, i understand that but they can come up with probable cause out of the thin air they will find something to arrest you for because they can and then its the states burden to prove you guilty or should i say the arrrestee's duty to prove hes not guilty, so there we go with tax payers money just because the officer or some authotiry figure wanted to arrest this person there we go with the arrestee being burden by corruption not to mention the inconvience of making a trip to the courthouse once a month! Like the first time convicted felon it was a big waste of time and the state couldnt prove the first felony so they came up with another! This was a 7 month court dealing this person had to miss work while the states attorney office decided how to get the young man on a felony! A petty felony at that! Had we had the proper assistants or a good states attorney the situation would have been dropped and their should not have been "the out to get someone theory" at hand! No plea bargain no trial no more courtrooms for the assumed trials the early bird thinks we might need no more dishonesty! And i also want to add that if you even read the paper early bird you will see that not along ago a man was charged with having meth on his possession, in his pocket it was on tape where the officer found it it was on tape when the officer pulled it out and he was charged with a felony, has prior felony and i believe one was for meth and he got off on conditinal discharge cause he agreed to pay a HEFTY HEFTY fine! Thousands of dollars!! So i think steve ferguson does promote "show me the money"! Like i said i think reardon will be fair and file the charges that need to be filed and the ones that are filed are gonna filed on factual basis not probable cause! I dont think that petty crimes offenders are gonna go unoticed either i think that he is gonna evaluate the cases and is gonna see to it that punishment fits the crime! Their would be no need to plea bargain of the facts are their and the accused is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt! Why mess witht he cases that you cant prove and are gonna have to plea with? Thats a waste of time for all involved and tax payers money! If the arresting authority figure has fully done his job satisfactory their should be no facts left out and all the evidence shoudl be presented to the states attorney at the time of filing charges! "

" It cant get any worse than it already is! If ferguson had made changes throughout his time in office there would be no need to fix summn that aint broke and komada's record aint any better! It is time for a change, soemone new to hold the office is better than the same ol same ol we have had! We honestly aint got nuttn to loose! "

" There are laws that place guidelines and limitations on what can be done when it comes to sentencing. A lot of it concerns the circumstances surrounding the case. And I would bet most people don't know the complete situation when making comments on cases. Komada basicly said, I have to be in this area for four years, so I want this job. If that is his reasoning we don't need that. If Mr. Reardon actually thinks he will eliminate plea bargaining, it shows he doesn't have a very good understanding of the legal system. Nothing will ever get accomplished if he is in charge. The right man is in the office and if people are smart he will stay there. "

" Ferguson got and has held this office, for being the least worst candidate for the job. He likely will win on those grounds again. Nice guys don't get the job done, hard work ability, and honesty does.

If re elected his learning curve is definately over. Things need drastic changes in that office, and how it conducts its self, and its cases. Commited felonies, need maintained as felonies. Negotiating pleas, doesn't have to stop. Prosecutions just have to honestly reflect the crimes commited, as do acceptable punishments for those crimes.

Many offices are and elections are decided on this, least worst choice available, even the governor. Candidates need to be tapped by thier parties usually, to get the nomination. Party politics is broken on all sides, we need candidates that stand out positively, not a least of the worst pageant. Many offices fit this selection process, evidently we need none of the above, as a buffer. Folks need to know if its a pool of issues, and they pick based on who tends to sink the least in it, they can just decide none of them qualify.

Electing people gives them some idea, something they brought to the campaign was what people wanted. Re electing them, they get the impression they have done a good job, and should continue on their previous deeds paths. At the very least, in voting for the least worst candidates, send a follow up letter, or public comment, explaining that vote, and what issues you still had with the choice you voted for, but overlooked them, as not as bad as the others. If they never get their continued issues communicated to them, honestly and openly, they are not likely to think of changing. Some how winning a re election by a few votes, is a mandate to continue the course for some. Citizens, need to start writing, emailing, or calling office holders, and say when ther are displeased. It might not work, but saving it all up for election cycles, doesn't either. If we have to circulate petitions, citing specific issues, and run them in the paper, perhaps the message might sink in.

The SA office, needs to change. It was corrupt, now its soft, disorganized, and a mess. Ferguson can offer to take steps to deal with constant issues, bring some new tools to the office, he has yet to utilize, and probably clearly win again. Continuing on the ploted course, has to stop. Many offices in government share this plight in common.

We can't keep having these best of the worst contests, and expect great things to result. We also don't have to accept more of the same from re elections. Send the office holders, clearly worded outlines of where they are failing. Evidently the local party chairs, have slim and none as their choices to tap to run for many offices. Perhaps new leadership there is what can fix this cycle of lacking capabilities. "

" I see that there still isn't anything in the paper about the beating that took place 2 or 3 days ago. Two men beat another guy pretty bad. One of them was on parole that just got out of prison about 3-4 weeks ago and should be taken off the street. There should be a parole violation against him and not let out on bond like he was. This is what you get with Steve Ferguson as SA. Same old BS everytime!! TIME FOR REAL CHANGE!!ELECT TODD REARDON FOR STATES ATTORNEY!!!!!!!! "

" ARDC RECORDS SHOW...

Paul Komada, a practicing attorney and former Circuit Court Judge, testified that he has known the Respondent (Lewis Stanton Dotson) for about 35 years, and that Dotson's (the Respondent's) reputation for truth and veracity is excellent....??????

Furthermore, we did not find the Respondent (Dotson) to be a credible witness and found that he demonstrated a lack of candor during his testimony.
After considering the nature of the Respondent's misconduct, his age and background, the overall facts and circumstances shown by the evidence, the cases discussed above, and the purpose for imposing discipline, we believe that a suspension of one year is necessary to protect the public and the integrity of the legal profession, and to deter future misconduct of this type.

Therefore, we recommend that the Respondent, Lewis Stanton Dotson, be suspended from the practice of law for a period of one (1) year.

Paul C. Hendren, Chair with Panel Members Claire A. Manning and Richard Corkery, concurring
Date Entered: December 17, 2004
google http://www.iardc.org/03SH0110HB.html pg.13
=========================================

Judge Komada said he is familiar with Max McCall and that McCall's reputation for truth and veracity is bad. (Tr. 59) Finally, Judge Komada said that he has known the Respondent (Lonnie Lutz) since at least 1980, and that the Respondent's reputation for truth and veracity is excellent....?????

Monday, September 29, 2008
Supreme Court upholds reprimand against Lutz
ARDC sought tougher sanction against the Coles public defender
By DAVE FOPAY, Staff Writer, The reprimand from the ARDC review board is a mark on Lutzs record.

Paul Komada must not be a very good "Judge" of character. Always trying to cover for each other. That must be what is meant when referring to the "Good Ole Boy" system. Perhaps this is why Komada's sign is hanging in Tulin's window? "

" Early Bird says (I seriously question all the comments made by the so called 85CHSGRAD person.)

Easy way to settle that one...Look them up, they are all there. I told you where to look, do you need me to do all your research?
You may question my motives, but you cant question the facts!!!

And the fact is that...
It is Time for a Change! "

" I see all of these long diatribes about Steve Ferguson and Paul Komada, do you people really think it will be any different under Todd Reardon? "

" Considering that Komada seems to have typical Republican morals, why are so many Republicans supporting Reardon on this site? Or is it just the red neck variety of Republicans, like mjgtm, doing that? "

" Democrats and Republicans alike are not blind Harry. They have no State's Atty candidate worth voting for within their own parties, and they know that it is time for a change. Harry I am convinced that you are just a die hard democrat, and will vote accordingly. Too bad you are so party blind, because Ferguson is not a "worthy" candidate!
:( "

" ed miller wrote on Oct 14, 2008 9:44 PM:

" He lost my vote when his sticker covered up the football scores on the front of Saturdays paper. Don't mess with the football scores. "

typical conservative lol, but I gotta say I've never seen anything good even remotely, from Steve Ferguson, I think he brings Illinois corruption home for us "

" Give it a shot Medic57, you might just be amazed! Any vote for Ferguson or Komada is a guarantee of more of the same!

Ferguson said he wants his prosecutors to the be the voices for victims"?
What about the child victims and their families? Komada is no better. I couldn't image what I would do if someone raped my daughter, and was sentenced to probation. I think I too would have to agree with Big Daddy.

Vote Reardon! Vote today at the Courthouse! Early voting in Illinois! "

" Actually, Todd, I have voted for more than a a few Republicans over the years. On the local level, party labels don't really mean all that much. And on the state level, have you ever seen me defend Blago? About the only thing I have ever said about him is that I get tired of people calling him a crook. He may be a total reprobate, but as far as I know he hasn't broken any laws. Being stupid is not against the law. And as far as Ferguson's worthiness, I think he runs rings around both you and Komada. "

" I for one do not think that Steve Ferguson is doing anything "wrong" or "corrupt".

From the cases that have been posted, it looks like we just have been given part of the information from the cases. We don't have enough background as to "WHY" some of the charges were filed the way they are, nor do we know how the victims felt about some of these cases. There is always much more behind these cases than it seems from the docket sheets posted on Judici.

When it is child molesters, do you really think the children should be called to tell a jury of 12 people, a strange judge, attorneys, a courtroom of people there to observe and judge, what happened?

Does anyone think of the personal he** the kids go through? They have to re-live having their bodies invaded every day, but to put a 5 year old on the stand for cross examination by some strange attorney who thinks they are lying? Really? Sometimes we need to think of the implications which arise from taking cases to trial and putting the victims up on the stand.

As for the other two candidates, I question the integrity and/or the personal agendas to be in the office they covet. "

" Well another form of corruption is when someone is arrested with a DUI and then the assistant states attorney gets ahold of it (because he's a party friend of hers) and has it thrown out. That's right, it's all about who ya know! So when we talk about sending some of those decisions to the assistant level, that's what you get. Friends of friends of friends will get you off scott free and then you can go drink and drive again and maybe kill somebody while your at it. Great lessons learned there! "

" March 2008
Greedy jail guards, pill-peddling cops, sticky-fingered cops, and a sticky-fingered prosecutor. On the corrupt cop front, it's the same old same old. Here's this week's version. Let's get to it:

In Charleston, Illinois, a former Coles County assistant prosecutor is considering voluntary disbarment after being accused of stealing drugs from a Coles County Sheriff's Department evidence locker. Former prosecutor James Baba, 39, took 10 grams of marijuana from the department and never returned it after telling deputies "he needed the evidence for court purposes," according to an official with the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC). The ARDC accused Baba of theft in a complaint filed last August but not publicly known until now, and also noted the he successfully sought the dismissal of the case against the man to whom the 10 grams of pot belonged. While Baba had reportedly agreed to voluntary disbarment, he had not submitted paper work to the ARDC by last week, and the commission said it will move to disbar him if he doesn't do it himself. "

" Why hasn't Baba been charged? Tampering with evidence. If the original verified quantity can't be produced, destroying evidence. Improperly representing the court. Misuse of a court office position. I am probably leaving some obvious possible charges out, but not near as many as the SA office, or another overseeing body if necessary have. This has been unfolding over a year now. Some feel the law is best applied sparingly, and rarely among friends or family. Sounds like some previous office holders that preceded him.

I predict the two challengers will split the anti re election votes, and the incumbent will maintain his office.

I hope if that is the case, he makes needed changes and begins to uphold serious crimes to the high penalty they need to be faced with to detur their happening. "

" Ok "just wondering" a first itme felony conviction is eligible for 2 years probation! Theres a guideline for ya and geres a few more! I do know the circumstances surronding the convictin and it ws petty! The young man had never had a felony conviction before so whats the justice on giving a sex offender the same amount of probation that a first petty felony conviction received! The word sex offender sexual predator phedophile are all red flage that the convicted is a serious threat! A repeated drug felon gets CONDITIONAL DISCHARGE, the evidence was puled out of his pocket, where is the justice to that? If you see it please let me know! As far as todd doing away with plea bargains- i think we all no that cant be done i think thathe is tryn to get the message out that there is no room for plea bargains on serious criminal offenses! If the evidence is there then a confident attorney wshould not think twice about taken the case to trial plea bargains are for petty offenses and those cases that are finest wanna charge teh public with and the states attorney has to make a decision to plea out the case or drop it? I do know some about law and i would say that if it cant be proved at trial and its a serious offense and the only way to get a conviction is a plea go for it, but i sure would turn the heads to the offficaial who put the case on my desk! Sexual predators, rapeist, armed violence are some examples of people who need the fullest extent when it comes to sentencing! And if the charge can carry a life sentence and the defendant WANTS a plea of 50 years id say the prosecuting attorney should think about that! He got a conviction and his putting away a dangerous crminal for a long time and no tax payers money was used at a trial! Imnot in favor of dangerous criminals getting probation!! As i think todd is not either!! And as a matter of fact i think todd will be better in office and he will continue to get better as the job grows! If your fridge quits are ya gonna try to keep fixing it for some time or ya finally gonna say its time to jsut buy a new one? Id bet ya'd just go get a new one! Why keep the people in office that proves not to get better and why elect one that shows no better? Why buy a fridge that we know aint no better! So lets just go for a new one just like youwould that fridge! As for the fight that happend LAST week, i know all the men involved yes one is out on parole BUT no the other guy aint "pretty bad" ive seen him on his porch quiet a few times sonce that incident and the guy who is "so bad" has one heck of a criminal history including a agg. batt that happend with in the last month! So theres an example of youe circumstances! Neither one of them are very outstanding citizens as a matter of fact the "pretty bad" guy said that therei was 7 K-9 dogs in his yard for about 6 hours that night! Lets see does coles county and/or the state/and or the city even house that many K-9 dogs, his yard is the size of a 2 car garage, now i bet those dogs were CROWDED, and hmm.. why was they at his house for hours with all these K-9 dogs so as for the "pretty bad" guy he's full of all kinds of stories and a history that is a mile long! I dont think that the "pretty bad" guy or his wife was very truthful about the situation! But rest assured he did post a hefty bond and didja ever think about maybe the possibility of self defense? AWWW..... but hea someone had to go to jail and we better not take the "pretty bad" guy cause he needs medical atteention! His wife is a convicted felon for LIEING TO THE COPS and like i said he has numerous felonies including being a pedophile!! Dont know why we aint heard nuttn about it in the paper but for the publics knowledge the "pretty bad" guy is in PRETTY GOOD shape! Walking talkn drinkn smoken face looked in tact from the road! This just might be a case where we see circumstances and facts laid out! OH it is election time hu... so the corruption might come to a halt lets hope Reardon gets in there or we may not see circimstance and facts laid out!!! "

" Hea kelly you odviously dont have a clue about the legal system and i mean that with no disrespect what so ever! I ahve a family member that is a victim of Predatory Sexual Assault and predator was found guilty at trial (WAY TO GO DESElMS) and no child had to testify in formt of 12 jurors, a judge,attorneys her predator or a courtroon full of people! Thank goodness! They are taken into chambers and the judge the 2 attorneys and the childs advocate are present with the child! I think the jury watches a video of the testimony or listens to a tape of the testimony! I dont think that they are even in the chambers during testimony of the child! Justa little FYI:) "

" From the cases that have been posted, it looks like we just have been given part of the information from the cases. We don't have enough background as to "WHY" some of the charges were filed the way they are, nor do we know how the victims felt about some of these cases. There is always much more behind these cases than it seems from the docket sheets posted on Judici.

.......................................

Excellent point, kelly.

Over 75% of all criminal cases in this country are plea bargained. You would think Coles county should be different if you actually believed all the nonsense being put out here by 85grad, wouldn't you?

Every time I read his laundry list of cases, I am reminded of Paul Harvey's radio bit: The Rest of the Story. It's obvious that his tactic is to play on the emotions of non-thinking people. That's quite insulting and condescening, if you ask me.

Judging from the reaction from some folks on here, it works, but let's hope that most people are smart enough to see through that smokescreen.

I have long believed that unless you have sat in a court room and heard an entire case, it would be near to impossible to make a dicision as to what the outcome should be.

I have noticed that a lot of people are ready to make their judgement solely on the headlines surrounding a case.


In closing, let me add a question: which of the three candidates has been reprimanded on more than one occasion for not even showing up in court for a trial? Now that's a fact too, 85 grad! "

" Reardon's lap dog in here keeps saying time for change. Sounds like Obama's campaign. We don't need that kind of change and we don't need Reardon's either. As for 619 and whatever the rest of the numbers are, you seem to know a lot about people in trouble with legal system. I have found when the criminals are complaining someone must be doing their job right. "

" Just Wandering, at your thoughts. Come to the next forum ask questions and I will answer any and all of them.

Harry Potter, I see, you voted for Republicans in the past, are you one of the rednecks that you are belittling. Come to the next forum ask questions and I will answer any and all of them.
Apparently, not the only one who has problems with the incumbent or the former judge. Harry, get a grip come to the next forum at the Catholic Church in Charleston, IL 10-23-08. Then come one here and talk trash.

Early Bird same advice, come to the next forum see your candidate in action. "

" well I gotta say Todd, if it's really you, I figured you were probably better than the other candidates but man a blog like this shines some doubt dude, I don't know a lot about the states attorneys right now but what I did know made me not like the other two but why would a man like yourself get ruffled in a blog like this and have spelling errors (sorry I hate the spelling criticizing around here but it looks extra bad for you) "

" EB, this is what you have failed to read in the Anthony Duane Bell case...

"Police documents in Bell's case indicate he admitted to the sexual assault but claimed he was angry and accidentally committed an act of penetration on the girl while changing her diaper.

That sounds alot like a confession to me! The child wouldn't necessarily even have to testify. Use his own confession,police testimony, and a doctors testimony! And if that isn't quite enough to win, well when you offered probation and a 2 yr prison sentence you had already lost! Disgraceful! Shame on the Ferguson Administration! Yet you want to try to compare by saying Todd has missed court on a couple of occassions? Not even comparable!
As for Mr. Reardon being reprimanded, you have failed to show us the proof. I provide proof with my comments!
Don't try to spread false accusations, I do my homework, and Mr. Reardon has a perfectly clean legal record.
Todd Reardon has openly invited you to attend the next forum, I hope you will accept! "

" Injustice, what more could you ask for from a man running for public office? Mr. Reardon is an open, honest, upfront candidate!
Spelling errors? LOL

Try calling to get through to Steve Ferguson. Heck, try to call and speak personally to the Sheriff. Good Luck getting through. "

" I bet anything that neither of them will show up at the next debate. I think they are afraid someone will figure out who they are on this thread. I was at the last one and will be at this one also. Hope to see you there Harry. DON'T FORGET HARRY!!! TIME FOR CHANGE!!!!!!!!!! VOTE FOR TODD REARDON!! "

" I'll be there. I want some answers on these sex crimes against kids. "

" Please allow me to say this again.
Todd Reardon is a good man, has served his country, and will proudly serve this county. The punishments handed out in those sex cases is just down right disgusting. Hiding the James Baba incident from the taxpaying public for over two years is an atrocity. My vote is with Mr.Reardon!
Justice for all! "

" Do they have semi-truck parking? If not, will u swing by and pick-up me and earlybird,Harry? "

" See, Feguson Fends off Criticisms doesn't quite deserve the headline!

Mr. Fopay and his reporting is an ATROCITY!!!!!LOLOL "

" First of all, Reardon is being rather disingenuous here. The debates don't work that way. You have to submit your questions to a moderator. You do not get to ask direct questions to the candidates. So what's the point of the invite, Toddy?

As for the reprimand comments, Todd knows they are true. Sorry I don't have a tape recording of them for you.

My prediction is that Readon will get even less votes than Komada. Those two will not get enough votes for a majority and Ferguson will win again, Bet on it.

Before long, TR will be back trolling the redneck bars for business. "

" ""Sorry I don't have a tape recording of them for you."""---Harry P

Of course not Harry.

-------------------

As for your smart answer to Toddy about the debate...He clearly stated it was a forum, not a debate! "

" hell i know i'm not voting for Ferguson, that much I can say as of now.. "

" Early Bird same advice, come to the next forum see your candidate in action. "

...............................

No thanks, Mr Reardon. Having watched your belligerent attitude on here for months, and knowing your reputation in the community, I seriously doubt that you could say anything there that would cause me to think anything other than you are probably the worst of the three candidates.

And when are you going to fess up about your other posting name? Do you really think anyone is being fooled by that? "

" As for your smart answer to Toddy about the debate...He clearly stated it was a forum, not a debate! "

----------------------------


And will the audience be allowed to ask questions directly to the candidates at the "forum"?

I've been to a lot of "forums" over the years and have not seen that yet. So what's the point of the invite?

Obviously, Todd is confused as to how this works. "

" Yet you want to try to compare by saying Todd has missed court on a couple of occassions? Not even comparable!

-------------

How many is a couple?

Thanks for the admission, and of course the judge wouldn't reprimand you for this, huh?

By the way, your spelling of a certain word above was a dead giveaway, Todd. LOL! "

" Harry, that was how the forum was supposed to be conducted. However, no one submittied any questions to the moderator and thus, 3 questions were asked from the floor. I was a little surprised myself at this turn of events, but I answered the questions as best as could under the circumstances. Maybe if you would have come to the last forum you would have seen this change of plans for yourself.

As a side note, Harry, candidates were not supposed to hand out literature directly to the audience before the forum, however Paul Komada apparently did not read the rules before doing so. He wants everyone to follow the law, but he cannot follow the forum rules. "

" I know a lot of people complain as to the expense of the courthouse security.
I used to be one of those complaining about it, but I am starting to see how necessary the Courthouse Security is.
They need security from ANGRY PARENTS of abused children! "

" Great point, grad "

" Another comment page quick to bury? "

" Sorry, the Courthouse Security is worthless, they don't scan lawyers, judges,courthouse workrrs or UPS packages. Unless you scan all, it is not worth a s__t. "

" Medic is right scan all or scan none, does O'Hare Airport allow professionals do pass without being scanned absolutely not. "

" I don't have a problem with Ferguson, he seems to be a good moral man. I DO have a problem with the annoying, unprofessional habit Komada has of closing his eyes....all the time when he is listening. Whether it's in the courtroom ( I witnessed this during a trial ) or at the recent debates it is very unbecoming for a man of his status and position. I've made up my mind to vote for Reardon. "

" Ferguson a good moral man! hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "