[Nfbc-info] Joseph Webb's Arraignment Today

[ckrugman at sbcglobal.net]

good work.
Chuck
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bryan Bashin" <bashin at calweb.com>
To: "NFBC Info at NFBNet" <nfbc-info at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, September 01, 2009 11:55 PM
Subject: [Nfbc-info] Joseph Webb's Arraignment Today


> Hi folks,
>
> Just wanted to report that I attended the arraignment of Diane Starin's 
> attacker, Joseph Webb today.  I must admit it was deeply satisfying to see 
> a man in an orange prison shirt and pants emblazoned with giant letters 
> saying "Sacramento County Prisoner."  When the time came, Joseph Webb was 
> led into, literally, a cage where the judge addressed him and told him he 
> was being charged with a number of felony counts, Assault with a deadly 
> weapon, assault with intent to create great bodily harm, and the 
> previously-mentioned elder abuse, a catch-all for all persons with 
> disabilities.  There were some other lesser charges as well.
>
> Joseph Webb was described to me as looking tall and wiry, perhaps the 
> ravages of a street life showing through.  He seemed a little dazed, at 
> one point asking "what was the offer," which I imagined he meant to what 
> he should plead guilty in order to lessen his crime.  The judge told him 
> that the arraignment wasn't the right time for this discussion and asked 
> him if he could afford his own attorney.  Webb said no and a public 
> defender was appointed.  He'll next appear before a judge Thursday 
> morning.
>
> I was seated in the courtroom right in front, my long white cane extended. 
> My friend told me she thought the prosecutor noticed me, as did the judge. 
> Not sure about Mr. Webb.
>
>
> On another note, I've been working with local politicians and other 
> organizations to be sure the DA knows we are deadly serious about assaults 
> on blind people.  Today Sacramento City Councilman Steve Cohn, a longtime 
> friend of mine, wrote me the following:
>
> Bryan,
> Thanks for bringing to my attention this despicable and deplorable
> attack on Ms. Starin.  I will do everything within my power to urge the
> District Attorney and the Court to punish the culprit to the fullest
> extent of the law.  As it turns out, I am Chair of Regional Transit this
> year, so that makes it all the more compelling for me to ensure
> prosecution of this crime.  Blind people face enough obstacles in our
> society without having to be a sitting duck target for a brutal attack.
> Yours truly,
> Steve Cohn
>
>
> So that's where we stand right now.  I am so very glad Diane is recovering 
> at home, but as the French  say revenge is a dish best served cold.  Let 
> us continue to press for maximum prosecution.  Has the NFBC Board 
> communicated yet with the Sacramento DA about Diane?
>
> Best,
>
> Bryan
>
>
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