Attempted murder of his child gets man 6 years in prison

Phoenix mother sentenced in child abuse case

Posted: Dec 12, 2011 4:06 PMUpdated: Jul 05, 2013 1:14 PM

By Breann Bierman - email

PHOENIX (CBS5) -

A Phoenix mother has been sentenced to 10 years probation on child abuse charges.

Judge John Ditsworth made the ruling for Candice Basilio on Friday morning in Maricopa County, according to court spokesman Vincent Funari.

Her husband, Taylor Basilio, 29, was sentenced earlier this month to six years in prison for child abuse.

Doctors found their 7-week-old son had a skull fracture when the infant was brought to the hospital for a flu shot, police said.

Both parents of the child are deaf and required a sign language interpreter.

According to the police report, the boy's mother indicated she was scared for her husband because she didn't want him to go to jail.

Taylor Basilio told a doctor he had shaken the baby three different times. He also admitted to pulling on the child's arms "out of frustration," the report said. The father stated he had done "stupid things lately."

Candice Basilio called detectives and admitted to seeing her husband shake and try to choke their child. She also confessed to shaking the baby on two different occasions dating back before Thanksgiving, according to police records.

The infant had two significant skull fractures, a broken left clavicle and numerous rib and leg fractures.

Copyright 2013 CBS 5 (KPHO Broadcasting Corporation). All rights reserved.

Original story

Breaking bread: ‘America’s toughest sheriff’ punishes inmates for burning U.S. flags by giving them rations of bread and water

Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio has put 38 prisoners in six different jails on the rations for destroying the flags, which were put in their cells.

By Beth Stebner / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio has announced 38 inmates across 6 jails in the county will get a diet of bread and water for burning American flags in their cells.

Bread always falls on the buttered side — unless you happen to be an inmate of the Maricopa County prison system.
A group of 38 prisoners convicted of burning American flags that were hanging in their cells now must survive on rations of only bread and water as punishment for torching Old Glory, with no butter or jam to go on top.

RELATED: MEATLESS JAIL FARE FEATURED IN MARICOPA COUNTY, ARIZONA

John Moore/Getty Images

Arpaio is known as America’s Toughest Sheriff for his no-nonsense take on law enforcement.

The order came down from controversial Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio, the outspoken law enforcer who made headlines last month for playing nonstop Christmas music in prisons to spread holiday cheer to the inmates.

Arpaio said in a statement that 38 inmates across six jails in Maricopa County will have to plenty of time to chew on their actions — each offender will have two meals of bread and water for the next week.

"These inmates have destroyed the American flag that was placed in their cells," the law enforcer — known as "America's Toughest Sheriff" — said in the statement. "Tearing them, writing on them, stepping on them, throwing them in the toilet, trash or wherever they feel. It's a disgrace to those who have fought for our country."
But these unlucky prisoners 'bread'er beware — a second offense will bring 10 more days of the Dickensian diet.

With News Wire Services
bstebner@nydailynews.com

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/ariz-prisoners-live-bread-water-article-1.1591133#ixzz2rSsgSstG

Michelle Alexander

"People choose to commit crimes, and that's why they are locked up or locked out, we are told. This feature makes the politics of responsibility particularly tempting, as it appears the system can be avoided with good behavior. But herein lies the trap. All people make mistakes. All of us are sinners. All of us are criminals. All of us violate the law at some point in our lives. In fact, if the worst thing you have ever done is speed ten miles over the speed limit on the freeway, you have put yourself and others at more risk of harm than someone smoking marijuana in the privacy of his or her living room. Yet there are people in the United States serving life sentences for first-time drug offenses, something virtually unheard of anywhere else in the world.” -Michelle Alexander, The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness

Women correction officers should not work at men's prisons

DOC: Corrections officer attacked at Winslow prison

By: abc15.com staff
By: Brian Webb

WINSLOW, AZ - Department of Corrections officials say a female corrections officer was assaulted at the Winslow prison Friday afternoon.

According to DOC spokesman Bill Lamoreaux, the officer was attacked by two inmates in the Kaibab unit of the facility.

Lamoreaux said the officer suffered a broken nose and cheekbone. He said he believes the officer was taken to the Flagstaff Medical Center for treatment.

The longtime boyfriend of the officer tells ABC15 she is recovering while in between a few reconstructive surgeries.

“She is my life,” said Bill who asked us not to use his last name or his girlfriend’s first name.

Bill says his girlfriend, Officer Benavidez, was alone with more than 50 unshackled inmates when two men jumped her, punching and kicking her for several minutes while other inmates watched.

"It was several minutes before other guards came to her rescue," said Bill. “They were trying to kill her.”

But Bill is more upset at prison staff than the prisoners because he says the unit is always understaffed.

“They (the officers) just hope they aren’t attacked. There is no real security in there for them. They just have to hope the inmates don’t do anything,” says Bill.

The Department of Corrections issued the following statement Tuesday afternoon: 

There were 788 inmates and 167 security staff assigned to the Kaibab Unit Friday. Ensuring the safety of the public, staff and inmates is always a paramount concern of the Department. In a correctional setting, contraband is always a concern and Correctional Officers remain vigilant in the effort to keep contraband out of the prison.

This case remains under investigation.  As a result, the Department is not able to discuss the assault until the investigation is concluded. Criminal prosecution of the inmates involved in this assault will be pursued by the Department upon the completion of this investigation.

Read more: http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/region_northern_az/other/DOC-Detention-officer-assaulted-at-Winslow-prison#ixzz2r9aO1PaK

Crack Babies

1980's 'crack baby' scare found to be overblown

May 27, 2013 12:00 am  •  Lindsey Tanner The Associated Press

CHICAGO - Research on teenagers adds fresh evidence that the 1980's "crack baby" scare was overblown, finding little proof of any major long-term ill effects in children whose mothers used cocaine during pregnancy.

Some studies have linked pregnant women's cocaine use with children's behavior difficulties, attention problems, anxiety and substandard school performance. But the effects were mostly small and may have resulted from other factors including family problems or violence, parents' continued drug use and poverty, the researchers said.

They reviewed 27 studies involving more than 5,000 11- to 17-year-olds whose mothers had used cocaine while pregnant. The studies all involved low-income, mostly black and urban families.

The review, led by University of Maryland pediatrics researcher Maureen Black, was released online today in the journal Pediatrics.

Widespread use of crack cocaine in the 1980's led to the "crack baby" scare, when babies born to crack users sometimes had worrisome symptoms including jitteriness and smaller heads. Studies at the time blamed prenatal drug use, suggested affected children had irreversible brain damage and predicted dire futures for them. These reports led to widespread media coverage featuring breathless headlines and heart-rending images of tiny sick newborns hooked up to hospital machines.

"The field of prenatal cocaine exposure has advanced significantly since the misleading 'crack baby' scare of the 1980's," the review authors said.

In recent years, experts have mostly discounted any link, noting that so-called crack babies often were born prematurely, which could account for many of their early symptoms. Studies that tracked children beyond infancy have failed to find any severe outcomes.

In some studies included in the new review, crack-exposed teens had lower scores on developmental tests than other children, but their scores were still within normal limits. Many studies found that the children's family environment or violence were directly related to the teen's performance regardless of whether their mothers had used cocaine during pregnancy, the researchers said.

The government's National Institute on Drug Abuse notes that it's tough to evaluate how drug use during pregnancy affects children's development because so many other factors play a role.

Arizona Daily Star 1980s 'crack baby' scare found to be overblown

Prosecutors Misconduct

For those who don't know...

Arizona Prosecutor Misconduct

Criminal Charges in Arizona

Normally I just re-post articles concerning the harsh sentences drug offenders receive. After spending some time observing various criminal court proceedings I feel I can now offer more insight to anyone who will listen or read my blog.

For all of you that are facing charges in Arizona or those who are trying to help a loved one stay out of prison, I have some advice. Most importantly, friends and family must support the person charged to the fullest extent. You must show up at court dates and eventually write character letters. Stay in contact via phone or visit. Inform yourself about the case and what the prosecutor and police plan on using against the defendant. But do not ask to discuss the case with the person...especially on the phone or in writing if they're in custody.  Also, instead of reminding them what they did wrong, encourage them to do better. Help them do better. SUPPORT IS SO IMPORTANT!

• Do NOT talk to the police or prosecutor at anytime. Inform them you want your attorney present. This will stop all questioning and make it easier for your attorney to defend you.

• If your attorney/public defender does not answer your questions or return your calls, then go to his/her office, request an appointment until you get his.her attention and eventually their time. Your attorney's job is to get the charges dropped or reduced . He/she should not even question your guilt.  Your attorney is suppose to be on your side. If it seems she/he is not then ask the court for a new lawyer ASAP.

• If you're out on bail, it is a good idea to begin treatment, either in patient or out patient. In Maricopa County I suggest Maverick House for inpatient treatment and Terros for outpatient counseling. Terros is free of charge to anyone who admits they have a drug problem and needs help. Maverick House is a 30 day rehab and works with the state to allow funds from AHCCCS to cover the cost of their treatment program. You MUST be PROACTIVE. It can make a huge difference when the judge is determining your sentence.

•  If you are in jail awaiting trial for drug related offenses, you should seek out substance abuse treatment while in jail. Get your G.E.D or at least request the opportunity to.

• Defendants in custody need a friend or family member, whom they trust 100%, to keep track of court proceedings, attend all court hearings, use Offender Connect to put money on your cell phone so your friend/family can call you from jail or go visit them if you can. Friends and family should write character letters on the defendants behalf. The more letters the better. However, do not submit letters that are unprofessional. Spelling, grammar and punctuation is expected to be correct. If you are not familiar with writing a business letter, ask for help from someone who is.  You may even contact me to assist you with your letter if you prefer. 

• If you are out on bond, pre-trial services or otherwise awaiting trial, do not miss any scheduled court hearings. Dress appropriately! Do not wear jeans, tank tops, low cut tops or dresses, short skirts, shorts, or really high heels or platforms.  *** Ladies, you are in court not working in a strip club! Cover yourself and wear clothes that fit you properly. And please wear a bra! ***  The same applies for guys but no bra required. Tuck in your shirt and pull up your pants. Wear a belt. Comb your hair and brush your teeth. If you are in court for a criminal offense you do not want to look like a criminal!