Back Where She Belongs!

In a Los Angeles County Courtroom yesterday, a very irate judge sent heiress Paris Hilton back to jail, kicking and screaming all the way.

As you may recall, Hilton was released a few days ago by the Los Angeles Sheriff Department for a "medical condition" that has yet to be made public. This blog, along with thousands of others, denounced the move. Hilton was sneaked out of her cell and returned to her Hollywood Hills home at 2:00 a.m.

The right move was definitely done here. Never mind the fact that Hilton has been treated harshly in this case (she has), but it is the principle of the matter. This woman was sentenced to 45 days in jail with no alternatives to be considered. California law allows for a reduction of time for good behavior (she will only spend 23 days in jail). All Hilton had to do is just tough it out. The judge might have reconsidered the sentence at some point and given her freedom.

Well she has no choice now. She is in jail for the duration.

And as the for Los Angeles County Sheriff -- that has yet to be determined, although he has stated that he will not interfere with the judge's order again.

Good night and good luck.

Another Miscarriage of Justice

As many of you have no doubt have heard by now, socialite and hotel heiress Paris Hilton was released from jail this morning.

Hilton was sentenced to 45 days in jail for a probation violation earlier this year stemming from driving on a suspended license. She was sentenced in Los Angeles County by a judge who wanted her to serve the entire time in jail -- not under home confinement, no work release, etc.

However, because of a medical condition -- that has not been named citing privacy laws -- the Los Angeles County Sheriff released Hilton this morning, fitted her with a monitoring bracelett, and ordered her to spend the next 40 days at home.

(Although Hilton was sentenced to 45 days in jail, she was expected to actually spend 23 days in jail. California law provides for a shortened sentence for "good behavior". When Hilton was released, she was given credit for 5 days).

Now the question The Shadow has to ask is this: What was this mysterious medical condition that secured the release of Paris Hilton?

Rumors are spreading that Hilton ate very little while in jail. Of course, there is no confirmation of this.

Next question: Most jails have some type of medical facility for inmates. Why wasn't Hilton taken there for observation?

Could it be that, perhaps, there is more to this than meets the eye?

For the record, the sentencing judge was advised of the release and is reported to have opposed it.

This does not look good for the American justice system and it sends out the wrong message. It says that, as long as you are rich, you can get away with anything and not serve any time in jail.

The Shadow would request that the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department explain in full why Paris Hilton was released.

More as this develops.

Good night and good luck.

New Direction in Rape Case

Many of you will recall that just a few days ago, The Shadow highlighted an alleged rape case involving several members of the De Anzo College Baseball Team.

The Shadow also reported at that time that, despite several witnessess (including three women who saved the alleged victim) not testifying, the Santa Clara County District Attorney has declined to file charges in the case. The Shadow also pointed out that there may be a conflict of interest involved (an attorney of one of the accused players donated $1,000 to the D.A.'s campaign).

The Shadow has learned this morning that the California Attorney General's office will review the case. This is definitely welcomed news.

The review is expected to take some time, but The Shadow would expect charges to be filed at some point. And hopefully the victim in this case will finally have justice.

The Shadow will keep its readers posted.

Good night and good luck.

Justice is Needed in an Alleged Rape Case

The Shadow has been pretty quiet on this blog since it was started. That is now about to change.

An injustice has been done to a 17 year old girl and that wrong must now be righted.

On March 3, 2007, there was a private house party in San Jose, CA, just south of San Francisco. In one room in the house, an alleged gang rape was occurring. The victim was 17 years old. The alleged perpetrators were members of the De Anza College Baseball Team.

Just recently, Santa Clara County District Attorney Dolores Carr declined to press charges, citing lack of evidence.

Or is there?

Two women -- members of the De Anza Women's Soccer Team -- came forward and described, in graphic detail on both television and newspapers -- what happened that night. The women even volunteered to testify in any criminal proceedings.

But the District Attorney said no.

Along with lack of evidence, Carr also noted that since there was a lot of drinking at this party, stories are conflicting. And although Carr did note that "bad things happened in that room," she said that because the perpetrators could not be positively identified, they could not press charges.

This along with the fact that many of the men at the party said that the sex was consensual.

Attorney John Cahners, who represented one of the baseball players accused in this crime, noted of the D.A.:

I would say this: The D.A. is a woman, she is married to a policeman, and she is the former head of the sexual assault team in the D.A.'s office. Do you really think she doesn't want to prosecute.

C.W. Nevius, in an article in today's San Francisco Chronicle, noted that Cahners donated $1,000 to Carr's election campaign and did not donate to any of her opponents.

The Shadow is not satisfied with this.

The Shadow should also mention that, in Nevius' column today, the soccer players have been threatened to keep their mouths shut. It has not been easy for them but they are sticking with their story.

The Shadow is calling for California Attorney General Jerry Brown to take a fresh look at this case.

It is always horrible to force a rape victim to go through the criminal justice system to prosecute an alleged rapist, but in this case, it needs to be done. Justice must be served.

The Shadow will keep you posted as events in this case warrant.

Good night and good luck.