February 4, 2008...1:39 pm
WPD Incident Report: Rust’s Son
I received in the mail today a copy of the incident report [07-03197] involving local real estate titan Joe Rust’s son Johnathon.
Some local defense attorneys have been buzzing about this case since November.
And here’s why: Rust and a friend were allegedly in east Waxahachie selling dope - this is from local defense attorneys, mind you. A bag of weed was foisted out of the side window - and two black teenagers run up, snatch the weed and hauls you-know-what down the street.
In the ensuing chase, Rust’s friend pulls a knife and it’s Rust that gets cut. The incident report states “Male walked in about 30 min ago to ER is a stabbing victim chest and back Johnathon Rust WM 092484.”
The charges against this black male: Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon; robbery; aggravated robbery.
Here’s the thing that’s pissing off people: how can you be charged with robbery of a substance you don’t legally have a right to possess? If it’s a car that’s one thing. If it’s weed, why the robbery charges?
WPD Lt. Billie Pendleton (yes, that Billie Wiggins Pendleton) is shown in the report as having “reviewed” the case.
Prosecutors are reportedly set to bring these two black teenagers “to justice.” Yeah, right. What’s about to happen is that two white kids with personal political connections are about to get off and once again, two not-so-innocent black kids are going to be thrown in jail.
21 Comments
February 5, 2008 at 8:47 am
ummmmmm Lance wasn’t born in 1959 nor did he ever live in Wylie. Nice try though.
February 5, 2008 at 11:37 am
Yep, ya’ll screwed the pooch on that entry. And I’d remove the info before his Daddy sues your a$$es. IMHO
February 5, 2008 at 1:39 pm
yep last time I checked Lance was in his late 30’s
February 5, 2008 at 1:40 pm
sorry I meant late 20’s
February 5, 2008 at 6:08 pm
I went to school with Joe at Carter HS in Dallas. No freekin’ way he had a son when he was 5 years old.
Hope you got a good lawyer. This is suit fruit waitin’ to be picked.
Who did the math on this one? Must have been a public school graduate!
EightBall
February 5, 2008 at 6:19 pm
PublicData.com is notorious for having inaccurate data. I’ve instructed my web team to remove that post.
On the subject of a lawsuit…Has anyone ever heard of discovery?
I don’t think that would be a wise move, especially since I have the information that would not sit well with certain prominent individuals within this county.
If people want to threaten me, go right ahead. During discovering, everything gets made public…
February 5, 2008 at 8:32 pm
What about a retraction? If one makes an error in discovery, shouldn’t one offer a public apology to the person(s) defamed? I’m just a little testy because Joe is a long time friend and classmate.
Just musing while watching McCain steal the GOP nomination…Huckabee sure musta’ cut a sweet deal while helping to double team Romney. I don’t know who(m) would be better at this point….they all suck!
February 5, 2008 at 9:08 pm
Eight ball, if the “defamation” is not true, then that’s another matter. If it was reported by other - outside - sources, like people who actually bought illegal substances from these people - is that defamation?
I don’t apologize for what I do, and I won’t apologize.
There’s a difference between reporting what others say, think or write and then there’s outright malicious lying through your teeth.
And that’s where we differ I think, eight ball. I honestly don’t care if it’s a friend, relative or enemy who does wrong. It will be reported if they are in a public capacity or utilize their position to withhold criminal/civil wrongs or pressure those to do so.
I hate hypocrisy. And I’ll be the first to admit to the things I’m reporting others as doing.
But whether they’re a friend or not is not the issue.
February 5, 2008 at 10:50 pm
We definitely can agree to disagree agreeably correct? Ok…this is a case where we do disagree. I’m not saying you have to apologize or publish a retraction because Joe Rust is my friend. That would be rather childish on my part and frankly doesn’t pass the “stupid test” right? If Joe’s family is not involved, you should publish a retraction for the mistake. That’s all I’m opining in this case. If Joe’s sons ARE involved in this and the case is being covered up; by all means, write it up in CAPITAL letters and let’s see the authorities in question deal with the issue.
See, we do agree on 50% of the issue don’t we?
Later, I’m getting ill listening to Barak JFK…oops I mean Barak Obama drone on about some change-whatever that is and how gloomy and how the “common man” is being left out of the decision making process. Jeez….I think this guy has taken a major JFK acting lesson.
Adios….
February 5, 2008 at 10:51 pm
Actually, isn’t reporting information knowing it lacks veracity defamatory, especially if it is done with malicious intent?
February 5, 2008 at 11:30 pm
I’m really not that stoopid, but I have a hard time keeping up with this. Could someone explain?
From what I gather, someone named Lance, who is too old to be Joe Rust’s son, was accused of doing something bad, and showing that here makes Joe Rust look bad so Joe should sue Joey.
I see a lot of posturing and contention, but I need help understanding the nature of the controversy.
February 6, 2008 at 6:21 am
My personal thoughts were only due to the fact that Joe has quite a bit of clout in Ellis Co. & enough $$$ to make that sort of inaccurate info a headache for someone like yourself. Other than that — I’m 100% behind your outing dirty politicians & coverups in Ellis Co. Lord knows you’ve got your work cut out for ya in that arena
February 6, 2008 at 9:50 am
I think the unrelated issue here was whether the information on Lance is being reported accuratly and in such a manner as to allow the readers to draw a negative inference with regards to Joe and john. My question was whether or not this could be libelous.
February 6, 2008 at 3:16 pm
[...] 6, 2008 There was a lot more buzz and controversy generated than I thought regarding an incident involving a son of a prominent real estate [...]
February 6, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Typically, the elements of a cause of action for defamation include:
1.A false and defamatory statement concerning another;
2.The unprivileged publication of the statement to a third party (that is, somebody other than the person defamed by the statement);
3. If the defamatory matter is of public concern, fault amounting at least to negligence on the part of the publisher; and
4.Damage to the plaintiff.
In the context of defamation law, a statement is “published” when it is made to the third party. That term does not mean that the statement has to be in print.
What now? Appears to me as though this could be a strong case of libel.
February 7, 2008 at 2:59 pm
I think what you are doing is disgusting! If they deserved it that would be one thing, but they don’t. In my opinion, you should focus all this energy on resolving some of hatred you are obviously harboring. God bless anyone you know if they ever make a mistake!
February 7, 2008 at 7:20 pm
#1fiveman posted…”What now? Appears to me as though this could be a strong case of libel.”
Methinks this is a stronger case of bullcrap!
February 7, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Keep in mind that in civil suits, I get a little process called “discovery.”
For those pissed that I’ve published these PublicData records, just wait until they all become public domain and admitted into evidence.
February 7, 2008 at 7:34 pm
And you guys can threaten lawsuits all day long, but I really need to be upfront and honest: I’m not afraid of them. And I’m not afraid of any lawyer.
So keep saber-rattling if it makes you feel tough that The Ellis County Observer complied with a lawyer’s request to remove certain information.
Go right ahead.
Because I’ll be glad to defend myself and continue to publish what I publish, regardless of who you people try to protect and coddle.
February 7, 2008 at 7:38 pm
*The request from the lawyer was very polite and when I did get pointed out the difference in the two individuals, I made the necessary corrections and moved forward.
February 19, 2008 at 4:21 pm
We were falsely accused of defamation and slander by a big business. Throughout the discovery process, we were never given anything that was relevant to prove the false accusations. We were innocent of all charges, wrung through the system, and forced to spend money. Big business and those with $$$ continue to try to force litigation in order to deplete your financial resources and take away 1st amendment rights to freedom of speech.
These incidences are increasing each day, are especially bad in Texas, where frivoulous lawsuits are tolerated. Many states have laws on the books with serious consequences for attorneys filing these suits, also knows as SLAPP suits…they are meant to harass.
There are some outstanding non profit organizations who have been successful at fighting back on freedom of speech issues and continue working to restore our freedoms and a fair judicial system.
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