PAGE 3 - July 30, 2008
The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
Squawk Box
Multiple Charges - Continued from page 1
from page 1
and over until there’s just nothing left to talk about. This process usually lasts about three
his head and several injuries to both jaws. Stapp was arrested, charged with aggravated
days. The interactivity between people I notice here is dramatically different too. They gather
battery causing great bodily harm ($5000 bond), and transported to the Citrus County Deten-
together in little knots of folks in front yards, in pubs, in squares, and on street corners and
tion Facility. The deputy reported that Stapp had no injuries or swelling to his hands, other
talk. The Irish people are a talkative bunch.
than a small mark on his right pinky knuckle, and there was blood splatter on the right side of
In the convenience stores, you’ll find about a dozen daily papers that all read like the
his shirt.
National Enquirer. Every day a given issue will have about 10 different points of view. All this
The deputy went back to the residence and spoke with the injured man's girlfriend,
is in stark contrast to our entertainment, which seems to me very one-sided. Perhaps because
who explained that Stapp had arrived at the residence earlier, wanting to borrow her car, but
of the sheer numbers of people, there is not the same pitching in of ideas at home as there is
she had told him no because he was intoxicated. She said Stapp had told her that he'd been in
here. We seem to be more contented in the U.S. by being spoken to and although we do have
a fight at a party and he had left the party abruptly. She said, when she'd asked Stapp how he'd
‘breakfast clubs’ that gather together, it’s just not the same.
gotten back to the residence, he replied that he'd stolen a truck that was near the area of the
The other dramatically different thing is the more socialist leanings of the democracy
party, because it was the only vehicle he'd found with the keys inside, and that he'd ditched
here. It is a big, big picture but in a nutshell, there are much more taxes and much more social
it in the woods because he knew the cops would be looking for him.
services than the U.S. It’s made me think a lot about how our democracy is run. By the way,
She said, a short time after Stapp arrived, the injured man and Stapp's girlfriend had
just to clarify from here out, I am talking about the Republic of Ireland, not Northern Ireland,
been dropped off at the residence by the deputy, and soon, she heard an argument. When she
which is very different yet. Anyway, in this country, the government is pretty big. I say pretty
opened the front door, she saw the injured man lying over the flower bed with Stapp kneeing
big because they seem to run a lot of companies that would be owned by private companies
him in the ribs and punching him. She said she yelled for Stapp to stop, but he continued.
in the U.S. How does this big government operate? Well, it comes under the scrutiny of the
Fearful, she closed the door, but soon went back outside and saw the injured man lying on the
people. Remember I told you there seems to be nothing anyone can keep secret; the govern-
ground covered in blood, non-responsive and not breathing.
ment is constantly barraged by the media and watchdog groups that seem to hold it in
The deputy spoke with Stapp's girlfriend who explained, that after the deputy dropped
check… well at least accountable. Right now the talk is all about declining hospital care. I
her and the (soon to be injured) man off, that Stapp had confronted them with the allegation
could go into the details but I won’t, suffice it to say I know more about it from being immersed
that they were cheating, then he'd attacked the man. She said that she ran into the victim's
in the issue in 10 days than I needed to be. But that is Ireland.
residence to tell the witness about the altercation and stayed inside the residence with the
Here in the U.S. capitalism is supposed to be self-regulating and our government
witness until the Stapp left. Then, she and the witness went outside to check on the victim's
was set up to also be self-regulating; at the moment I fear there is no self-regulation at all.
condition and found him unconscious and non-responsive. The injured man soon got up, ran
Capitalism is supposed to be the check and balance between supply and demand. The con-
into the house, and grabbed a kitchen knife in order to protect himself from Stapp, who was at
sumer is supposed to have the ultimate control. The problem is that capitalists outnumber the
the rear of the residence.
masses. So few control so much that we are out-gunned, control of the marketplace is decided
She added that Stapp had struck her in the face with an open hand during a argument
in boardrooms instead of from our wallets. It is so hard to untie millions of consumers versus
on July 23rd. The deputy noted that he saw no marks on her, but she was visably upset when
a handful of CEOs that we lose every time. So it goes with the government as well. When
she spoke about their situation, because she and Stapp have a 2-year-old daughter. When the
sitting presidents can sidestep unsavory actions and nationally unpopular decisions without
deputy asked her how many times Stapp had struck her, she said that everything had been
reprise, our form of democracy has failed. Freedom you say? What’s that? Sure we can say
fine for about a year, but he had been very abusive in the past and had struck her several
anything we want, but it becomes moot when no one wants to or is made to listen. But that is
times, but she'd never called law enforcement. She became very upset about relaying this
America. Next time I’ll bring you some tales from my wanderings on the highways and byways
information and did not want this incident to be reported. The deputy reported that he be-
of Ireland and the UK.
lieves that she was afraid of retaliation from Stapp.
State Grant Program Provides
Meanwhile, the second deputy found a wrecked vehicle in a wooded area near
Kimbryer and Web Hill Lanes, just east of the residence, and bare foot tracks leading from the
direction of the vehicle to the residence. The investigating deputy found several donuts
$136,000 To Citrus County Park
(circular tire marks) on the roadway and tire tracks leading to a stop sign that was run over by
the vehicle, as well as burn-out marks leading to a Sprint communications box that had been
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Florida Recreation
run over. The street sign at Web Hill and Kimbryer had been struck by the vehicle, with burn-
Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) will grant Citrus County almost $136,000 to de-
out marks leading to the vehicle that had been crashed into a tree in the wooded area behind
velop and enhance a community park, providing outdoor recreation opportunities and im-
the Walgreen's located at Crystal and Hwy. 44 East.
proving public access to Florida’s natural resources.
The deputy went back to the detention facility to inform Stapp of the additional
“Outdoor recreation areas and facilities are a vital part of Florida’s economy, draw-
charges against him, but he refused to answer questions or make a statement. Additional
ing both Floridians and visitors to experience the state’s natural resources,” said DEP Secre-
charges/citations were grand theft $5000 or more, but less than $10,000 ($2000 bond); driving
tary Michael W. Sole. “With the support of Governor Crist and the Florida Legislature, FRDAP
while license suspended, cancelled or revoked knowingly ($500 bond); leaving the scene or
funding allows Florida cities and counties to develop and enhance local parks while uniting
failing to remain at the scene of an accident with property damage ($250 bond), and domestic
their communities through recreational opportunities.”
battery (no bond).
Citrus County projects funded in this year’s budget include:
During the investigation, the deputy learned that Stapp is a trained mixed marshal
Citrus County, C.R. 486- Trailhead, Phase II - The funds will be used for a new picnic area,
arts fighter who does not work. According to the report, Stapp said that he trains everyday
kiosk, parking and restroom.
and is a competitive fighter. The report also stated that Stapp has a history of several domes-
A.B.A.
tic violence charges, several offenses for driving while license suspended, and one case still
pending in Leon County for driving while license suspended and leaving the scene of a crash.
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