LCSD and Metts in the Community

[Anonymous]

I just have to share these two stories with the avid readers of this site. I was recently selected for Jury duty in a CDV case (names withheld). This was a 17yo boy who was reportedly to have been driven home last year by his uncle. The boy gets out of the vehicle and is drunk. Allegedy he falls, hits his face and his father, girlfriend and neighbor are all outside witnessing the event. Allegedly the neigbor and girlfriend were play fighting or "horsing around" with one another and making a lot of noise that drew the attention of neighbors. The father of this boy makes jokes, laughs and the boy becomes irate. One thing leads to another, the father punches the boy in the mouth and the cat fight is on. Deputies are dispatched where they come onto a scene of irate boy and father. The female deputy becomes disgruntled because the boy is mouthing off somewhat and decides that because the father has scratches on his face, no one will give her a legit story, and the 17yo is admittedly intoxicated, he is carted off to the pokie. Now the trial. The 17yo comes in with no defense attorney and him and his family defend themselves against a female deputy who is the arresting officer. Here comes the circus. Jury selected and the Deputy is asked to do an opening statement. The deputy clearly has no idea what an opening statement is and starts pleading the case, in which the Judge then comments, is that an opening statement or did you just plead the case? She replies somewhat confused, I guess I just made my case. The boy is asked to open and declines. The Deputy then takes the stand and begins to tell the juror about the incident. Clearly, there was a scuffle, she kept harping on the fathers scratched and bloody face, the boy being belligerent and drinking and the 2 sets of neighbors calling the police. Thats it guys, she gets down and then the 17yo takes the stand. If I didn't know better, I could have sworn this kid was drunk again, but he was just that unintelligent. Once he started to speak and deny the charges it went down hill from there. He gets to question the deputy. Why did you arrest me? Because you hit your father she replies. No, I did not. The judge ask him to ask questions or basically wrap it up. He chooses to cut it loose. Then it's his turn to speak to the jury. Basically, short and sweet, I didn't do nothing, she just don't like me and I was drunk and don't remember some things. The deputy questions him, did you spit at your father and hit him. The boy, no, I might of spit but I had blood in my mouth, I didn't hit him. The Deputy, how did he get scratches on his face? The boy, what scratches? The Deputy, the ones that were bleeding. The boy, I ain't never seen no scratches, I don't know what you talking about. The deputy sits down. The boy calls his first witness because the deputy has none. He calls his father, the so called victim in this incident (whom I might add was the one who was alleged of taking the first swing at his boy). He denies the entire incident and points out that the boy was mouthing off at the Deputy and it pissed her off and that's why he was arrested. The Deputy now questions the witness. Where did you get those scratches and blood on your face? The witness, I didn't have no scratches. You took pictures, where are the pictures? Show me the scratches you said you saw? Deputy, cannot produce this evidence and basically doesn't bother to address his request. He sits down. The girlfriend and neighbor are called. Same story, he didn't do it. Jury is sent to deliberate. 20 minutes later, they find him NOT GUILTY!!! This is a prime example of our tax dollars at work. This Deputy arrest this kid and rightly so but for what? Because he was under age and drinking? NO, because he struck his father? NO, because he was pissing her off? MOST LIKELY! They never arrested the father who allegedly hit the boy to start with. They never reprimanded the kid for drinking underage or find out who contributed to the delinquency of a minor. And when she most likely could have proven her case with the photographs showing an incident took place, she couldn't produce the evidence or photographs. The other Deputy who was on the scene did not come to court or write an affadavit. Who the hell do we have out here on streets? Where is the training that the Sheriff is suppose to be giving these people before they claim to protect and serve our community?

I know where the Sheriff was? He was having his resume read in it's entirety at White Knoll Middle School Friday night to a crowd of kids and parents before they could announce him as a judge for a school talent show. That's right! They read the mans entire resume before the talent show.

Lastly, I will leave you with this. The talent show number crunchers were taking to long. So, they decided to entertain the audience. One of the school teachers who sings and plays a guitar decides he will sing a song from Eric Clapton. The audience loved it. Care to guess!!! Thats right, and oldy but goody.. I SHOT THE SHERIFF --- BUT I DID NOT SHOOT THE DEPUTY!!!!!! : ) How appropriate.. The crowd ROARED!!! The look on his face.. PRICELESS!!!

Untrained Deputies, Talent Shows during Elections, Resumes read to kids and parents who I guess needed to be reminded who he was.. Oh, did I mention that they also announced that he had the record for the longest Sheriff EVER?? That's right.. They did... Can we say BLOW HARD!!! Because that is what he does every election.. Rears his big head so that we will think he's the man and vote him back in! NICE TRY.. NOT HAPPENING WITH THIS VOTER!!!

[Anonymous]

Reality,
Let me explain a few things to you. I am not saying the deputy who presented your jury trial case did everything by the books. Nor am I saying the domestic was handled properly at the scene. I would not know, I was not there and now the information is coming third hand from you. What I do want to comment on is your remark about training. Deputies are not given any formal training on court room presentation. When I say that, I mean from the Academy. I can't speak for each department. Anyway, they learn to prosecute cases from experience only. It is literally trial and error. No one walks you through a mock trial and no one helps you through it. You are thrown to the wolves and it is sink or swim. Lawyers have 6 or more years of formal education and then the bar exam to decide if they can cut it. A new deputy has 10 weeks of training (that's 2 more weeks than the old timers got). And again I will say, none of that training includes court presentation or testimony. So if you don't think that deputy did a good job here is some advice, you get your human relations behind up there in front of a jury and prosecute a case. When you lose and whine "But I'm not trained for this" just remember....neither was that deputy who is protecting you.
As for the arrest, how do you expexct a deputy to fix in five minutes what it took that kid 17 years to screw up. Not to mention the families are not always the most cooperative people to deal with , especially if they are drunk and uneducated as you claim this kid was. Until you have walked in a deputy's shoes, sit down and shut up.

[Anonymous]

Reality,
I am sorry i missed the class on courtroom presentation also, it was not available when i went to the academy. I had no formal training in the court it was all trial and error. I lost the first jury trial i ever did. It is nerve racking to stand up in front of 12 people and try a case.
I agree with sugarfree. We have 5-10 mins to fix a problem that has been brewing for years. then try to explain to a jury, not as easy as it seems. Then when you have a unwilling victim, makes it even harder.
So, this deputy arrives on scene. problably got a different story then what was told to you as a juror from each party, has to deal with an unruly drunk, make a decision on who is telling the truth and who isnt. Then since there was injuries, make an arrest (per state law. injuries=arrest). Then 6 months to a year later after countless other domestics is supposed to prosecute a case.
It isnt as easy as it seems, not like on tv.
We answer anywhere from 50-75 calls in a 12 hour shift per region. Thats alot of calls. So if this deputy messed up on a jury trial oh well. it happens. She tried.
If you can do better, then by all means come aboard. Give it a whirl.
And the pictures missing. It happens, sorry we are only human, we are not perfect, we make mistakes.
One more thing, you only heard what the judge would allow. You dont know what trial issues were brought before the judge earlier.
And another thing,
Who do you think there parents of the defendant are gonna back, the deputy or their son. Who is problably gonna have to pay the fine. Who wants to see the child convicted of CDV even if he was guilty. Dont you watch tv or atleast the news, victims of cdv sometimes forgive there abusers. Just remeber blood is thicker than water.
And if you ask your trooper friends about courtroom presentation, they might get it, I didnt and apparenty sugarfree didnt either.

[Anonymous]

Calm down Deputies.. I am actually on your side. My point was not to diss the Deputy for mishandling the case. My point was exactly what you pointed out. There was no training. If you are asking if I could have stood up there and won that case with what she came prepared with the answer is no. If however, you are asking if I could prepare a case that would have put his happy ass in anger management classes and had penalities for his behavior and/or if I could have pursuaded the jury to lean more towards the State, the answer is ABSOLUTELY. I seen a lot just watching the deputy and the child interact as a juror. Also, you are correct, there may have been additional charges pending relating to his drunken behavior. I asked, the answer was no. Deputies are put through a short-term rigourous academy where you are then thrown basically to the wolves on the streets to not just defend us but to keep your behinds from getting shot, beaten etc.. I empahthize with that scenario. I believe however, that our state could do a much better job at training the officiers. I also believe that if you must go to court to present a case, then the State should appoint a DA or someone to go with you in order to present the case. How can you do your job and be a lawyer too? That's not what your job description is, nor should it be. Why doesn't the Sheriff think about requesting budget for things like this? Why doesn't the Sheriff with all of his might degrees and intellect appoint someone in his over staffed office to handle this kind of stuff for you? That is the point. Not, to step on her toes or any one else. But, to make you aware that this is something that put a drunken brat out on the street who should have gotten at least a sting on his hand to remind him why he never wants to repeat his offense.

That said, my opinion is my opinion and I stand behind what I stated. There should be proper training available if you are to be placed in a situation where you are out of your element or realm of comfort legally.

[Anonymous]

Well reality,
I am sorry for not understanding you. I did not take into account that you cant get a feeling for what a person is really saying by just reading words and not seeing the feeling it has. I just get on the defensive sometimes when people talk about what we do, when you really have no idea. I guess i read into it and not did not get the true meaning.

[Anonymous]

Reality,
How long ago was this jury trial you participated in? Also let me say this, I don't know who the deputy was or how long she had been the police. Some of the deputies prefer to try their own cases. The reason I ask how long ago it was is because LCSD has a CDV attorney to help prosecute cases. But like some other people around the department, she has been too busy sleeping with other peoples husbands to do her job. No wonder that poor deputy did such a crappy job! Guess what, she didn't get fired like Harrison did.

[Anonymous]

Reality... if all you wanted to point out was lack of training, you could have said just that and left all the other b.s. out. I think the deputies will willingly admit they are not attorneys. You sure didn't sound like you were on their side to me. The comment about pissing the deputy off was uncalled for. You are entitled to your opinions, but don't expect everyone to agree with you. Maybe instead of spending so much time on this forum you could research grants for court training. I'm sure the deputies would appreciate a little gratitude instead of just another disgruntled citizen pointing out what they think the deputies are doing wrong. They get enough flack from the thugs on the street. You obviously have not ever been in law enforcement or you would know they are doing a fine job with what they are given. As for a DA to try magistrate cases, this is not LA County and Lexington County isn't made of money. There are barely enough solicitors to handle general sessions cases. If your beef is with the sheriff, leave the deputies out of it. They are doing an EXCELLANT job.

[Anonymous]

The court case was last Friday in South Congaree. (Lord only knows how I ended up on that pool) I don't even live close to the place. The guest does make a good point. First, I have never worked in a police department. I also have never watched L.A. Law!

If Harrison makes Sheriff I will be glad to research grants for getting someone to come in and handle stuff like this. I have experience in grant writing. What I truly believe needs to happen is at a State level though. We need to catch our Governor and Senates attention and get them to see where some of the wasted budget money is going and re-allocate it back into our Community Sheriffs Department. I am sure that Richland County and other surrounding Counties could use someone to handle case loads like this as well. I am sure Lexington County is not the only one in need of this service.

It's wrong to expect a uniform officier to go in and defend him/herself for arresting someone. I thought that's what the legal system was for and Attorneys? It was very dishearting to see her sit there clearly uncomfortable and with no support. It was more than that. It out right sucked!!

It's hard enough for the average citizen to understand what you have to go through in a given day as a Deputy. Because you don't really know what your next job will be from case to case. Where I can predict my schedule and clients, it's very difficult to know who or what you are running into when your a deputy. I respect that and the position you hold.

Unfortunately, as nice as this Deputy was. I think I was more disgruntled that we had to let this kid off when what he really needed was a good swift kick in the rear end and a lesson about underage drinking and domestic violence. He walked out of the court room all smiles and happy with his clan because as you know, blood is thicker when it comes to family. The father would have never promoted arresting his son and putting him away for a joke gone bad. Which is what they attempted to make this out to be.

The kid learned nothing and felt like he had won over the court system and beaten the Deputy. In essence he did. But in the long run. He is the ultimate loser, because he will end back up in the Justice system as another statistic with another long list of arrest. Worse, that cute little girlfriend he toted into the Court room will most likely end up at the end of his fist the next time he gets drunk and decides to take a swing. Then, there's two calls you will have to deal with. It's a domino effect, either way you look at it!

Sorry for the misunderstanding.. I definately appreciate the jobs you guys do! It's one of the reasons I am voting and supporting Harrison. With him in office, you might actually get some help and improvements in your working conditions. :)

June 8th.. right around the corner...

[Anonymous]

Good lord! Can you make a stance and at least have enough guts to stick with it? I'm sure glad your in Harrison's camp. Talk about the sandspur shuffle.

You even sound like a politician. What can I say, right now, to make everyone happy, then fence ride, then retort, then retract, then goob the whole point up?

You remind me of Adam Sandler in the "Waterboy." I wanna play some f-f-f-f-f-football! I wanna p-p-p-p-post a response in the forum with the big boys!


Hahahahahahah......you are pathetic.

[Anonymous]

Hammerhead, nice to see you came up for some air. So, hows the butt kissing going? I think I acutally missed your sarcastic banter.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know how the Metts v Harrison debate went in Irmo?

[Anonymous]

Read somewhere in here that jimmy DID NOT SHOW. Guess he feels he has this one in the bag and that we uneducated Lexington folk will not be smart enough to see his EGO is the only thing keeping him from not running. He has nothing else going for him. tick tick tick tick :twisted:

[Anonymous]

I was there (Our Lady of the Hills Catholic Church) and Jimmy was not. He sent some guy in as a "stand in", but the Optimist's committee would not permit it. I hear that Jimmy is ducking all sorts of appearnaces around the county. My guess is that he feels that he is too good to have to campaign for the job, or he is just entitled to it. Has anybody seen him anywhere lately?

Now I relize this is far fetched, but stranger things have happend. I heard a rumor that he was having his hair touched up with a little color and the job went bad. That is why he is supposedly avoiding public appearances. Anybody else heard anything like that?

[Anonymous]

Miles how big was the crowd. I have heard that Irmo area had some questions and answers about gangs. I heard that Sheriff Lott and jimmy were invited. I heard that Sheriff Lott showed with some of his gang detectives, but jimmy was a NO SHOW. I did hear that some guy from Lexington County did show, but Sheriff Lott was the one taking care of the concerns of Irmo. I also heard that nearly 500 people showed. If someone can confirm this please do. I'll see if we can get Sheriff Lott in Chapin since he is a Sheriff who is actually is a Sheriff around these parts. tick tick tick tick :roll:

[Anonymous]

I happen to work in Richland County and live in Lexington County. I was eating lunch the other day when one of the C.A.T (Community Awareness Team) I think thats what it stands for came into the restraunt I was in. I happen to see him earlier placing fires in the hands of business owners and finally realized that him and other Deputies were blanketing the streets on foot to make the community more aware of the nut job who is holding up all of these businesses. I can honestly say, I have never seen that take place in our County. Not to the extent that these guys were informing the citizens and businesses. Sheriff Lott has a wonderful handle on what his Community needs and wants from their Sheriff an Deputies. You feel more secure in his County because he does attend functions that involve the citizens in his community. I heard him on the radio offer his assistance to an individual who lived in Columbia City Limits because he could receive no help. I am not just a Harrison supporter. I am a supporter of anyone who is willing to go the extra mile and take into consideration the wants and needs of the community they are serving to better inform and serve them. Sheriff Lott has done this throughout his term in Richland County and although he came in as an underdog candidate, he did prevail and he did go into his job giving the people exactly what he promised. Harrison has the same work ethics and also carries the same attitude and agenda as what Lott has offered his Community and voters. We need that kind of take charge and real attitude in our Sheriff and Department. When the Sheriff says he is going to do something, you need to be able to have that trust factor that he is REALLY going to do what he says and not just pat us on our heads like simpletons and send us back to our homes until something happens. Lott educates his Citizens. His Deputies are continuously in the neighborhoods, at local stores and parking lots holding informative and educational events that are open to the public. He strongly advocates Community Awareness and did that establishing a Specialized Task Force to address the needs of the Community. Something our local Sheriff Department knows nothing about. His men our trained and Sheriff Lott knows his Deputies and works with his Deputies to address the needs of his Community. Metts has never done this kind of service for our Community. Today, we have a candidate who is willing to roll up his sleeves and work with the men and women who are sworn to protect and serve us. But because Metts has taken root like Cancer within our own Community and Sheriffs Department, he feels he deserves his seat and doesn't need to campaign or justify his role as our Sheriff and why we should keep him. This is a prime example of his slack attitude and poor leadership skills. Tell me again why he is Sheriff? Explain to me the caliber job he has done? Better yet, when is the last time his chunky behind has left that seat to go out into the community to work with his men or to address a situation that he was actually involved with and not dealing with behind a desk, or on paper? I think everyone should take a look at that story of a little girl that was posted on this site and tell me again how great our Sheriff is. From where I am sitting. I see a much need for improvement. I see a bigger need for a change.

HARRISON FOR SHERIFF, JUNE 8, 2004

[Anonymous]

Oops Hammer, I forgot to check my spelling before I hit post reply. I guess that is grounds for making me appear less intelligent than I really am.. LOL.. Just so you know. I meant Flyers.. not FIRES... :oops:

[Anonymous]

I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD SAY I VOTED FOR THE WRONG SHERIFF,BUT IN 2008 I WILL VOTE FOR WHOEVER IS RUNNING AGAINST METTS. I ALSO MADE A BIG MISTAKE.

[Anonymous]

I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD SAY I VOTED FOR THE WRONG SHERIFF,BUT IN 2008 I WILL VOTE FOR WHOEVER IS RUNNING AGAINST METTS. I ALSO MADE A BIG MISTAKE.

My family's thoughts precisely! I am ashamed to say that we actually had a Metts sign in our front yard!! and bumber stickers on our cars. I would vote "Snoop Dog for sherrif" before I would ever vote for Metts again. What a disappointment he and this departmnet has turned out to be!

[Anonymous]

Did anyone see Sheriff Metts in the Neighbors section of the paper last week? I thought he looked bad. What is the latest on his health?

[Anonymous]

Did anyone see Sheriff Metts in the Neighbors section of the paper last week? I thought he looked bad. What is the latest on his health? :?:

[Anonymous]

Did anyone see Sheriff Metts in the Neighbors section of the paper last week? I thought he looked bad. What is the latest on his health? :?:

:?:

[Anonymous]

weight= fat
blood pressure= pure lard
mental state= looney as ever
ego= off the scale

If the people can't get smart enough to vote him out, then maybe the hamburgers will take him out! :lol:

[Anonymous]

I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD SAY I VOTED FOR THE WRONG SHERIFF,BUT IN 2008 I WILL VOTE FOR WHOEVER IS RUNNING AGAINST METTS. I ALSO MADE A BIG MISTAKE.

My family's thoughts precisely! I am ashamed to say that we actually had a Metts sign in our front yard!! and bumber stickers on our cars. I would vote "Snoop Dog for sherrif" before I would ever vote for Metts again. What a disappointment he and this departmnet has turned out to be!Oh ! Oh !

[Anonymous]

weight= fat
blood pressure= pure lard
mental state= looney as ever
ego= off the scale

If the people can't get smart enough to vote him out, then maybe the hamburgers will take him out! :lol:

ROFLMAO


I didnt get to vote last go round But you can bet the farm I will vote against him next go round!!

[Anonymous]

weight= fat
blood pressure= pure lard
mental state= looney as ever
ego= off the scale

If the people can't get smart enough to vote him out, then maybe the hamburgers will take him out! :lol:

ROFLMAO


I didnt get to vote last go round But you can bet the farm I will vote against him next go round!!

Maybe the reason you didn't get to vote "last go round" is the same reason you won't get to vote this go round....you don't live in Lexington County.

[Anonymous]

weight= fat
blood pressure= pure lard
mental state= looney as ever
ego= off the scale

If the people can't get smart enough to vote him out, then maybe the hamburgers will take him out! :lol:

Last time I saw him, it looked like the weight was off. Big time off!!

[Anonymous]

It ain't the department's fault. It's Tim James. He ran that place into the ground. He wouldn't let people do their jobs unless he was controlling them. Everybody was afraid of him. The good people over there paid dearly.

[Anonymous]

The only reason Metts doesn't use control is because he is never at work to do so. Otherwise it would be the same with him.

[Anonymous]

Jake will teach Metts the meaning of the word "control."