Something about stepping through that sliding door and into that rush of plastic-y, dense, drug store air seemed to flip a switch in my brain. I was no longer there to tag along while my mother ran errands. I wasn't there to browse the aisles, to beg for a shiny new toy, to play games. I was there to make off richer. No longer would children like myself have to leave their wealth to adults; I would acquire my own wealth and I wouldn't have to wait until I was an adult to do it. No one was going to tell me when I could eat candy; I would get my own candy, and I wasn't asking.

The method in which the Criminal Justice System defined rape has been notably changed by the Sexual Offences Act 2003, adopted on 1 May 2004. Any sexual offences carried out before 1 May 2004, are prosecuted under the 1956 Act which defined rape as any type of intercourse, without consent ,performed by a man with the victim being either male or female . Also, the intercourse in the 1956 Act is categorized such as non-consensual anal or vaginal intercourse, not including oral sex without consent . (Cps.gov.uk, 2012 ) The term consent was interpreted by the court ,by its common signification. Furthermore, if the perpetrator considered that the victim consented ,even though the statement was unreasonable ,it was jury ‘s responsibility to decide whether the act was consensual or not . (Cps.gov.uk, 2012) Contemporarily, sexual offences perpetrated after 1 May 2004 are being prosecuted under the Sexual Offences Act 2003,which elaborates and extends on the laws surrounding consent and also amends the definition of rape by introducing vaginal or anal penetration by a penis ,as well as penetration mouth of a person. The word rape is currently defined in the legislation as ‘(1) A person (A) commits an offence if- he intentionally penetrates the vagina, anus or mouth of another person (B) with his penis, B does not consent to the penetration, and A does not reasonably believe that B consents ‘ (Legislation.gov.uk, 2018)

Josie… promise me something. Protecting this family comes first. When it’s time to quit, we quit. No questions asked.

Here are some interesting-and shocking facts about serial killers.

First of all lets make clear that these are my views and only mine, also I warn that they require the correct attention and understanding otherwise I may come across as some kind of self-appointed king.

Alcatraz

In the 1980s crime in New York City had reached almost epidemic proportions. Apparently, New York was suffering by increased immigration and as a result a much younger population and, added to that, New Yorkers were hit hard by welfare cuts. It wasn’t safe to travel the subway and you would be advised not to go to certain areas, particularly after dark. Yet, by the end of the 1990s the city had cleaned up its act and saw a dramatic fall in the rate of crime.

So... when I saw this dramatic re-telling of the ordeal of the Central Park 5 being advertised on Netflix, I was already pretty sure that it was going to be must-watch television. I was also extremely apprehensive about seeing the events through the eyes of these five kids (now grown men) and being able to emotionally process it all. The case (and the legal and societal issues it brings to the forefront) kind of hits close to home for me as a parent, and as an African-American man. I'd seen the Ken Burns documentary on the Central Park 5 a while back, so I was already very familiar with the case, and some of the very problematic issues it brought to the table for the American public to address. Systemic racism, classism, and lack of accountability for law enforcement and agents of the legal system were all things that were at the forefront of the documentary. Ava Duvernay did an excellent job of showing the social and personal toll this case had on these men and their families, as well as the greater impact that the institutions of the law and media played in that accrued trauma. Every episode of this mini-series was visceral and traumatic. Whether it was the very public shunning of Yusuf Salaam, Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, and Raymond Santana upon their release from custody as adults, to the entire fourth episode being devoted to the ordeal of Korey Wise's experiences at Riker's Island as an adult, the entire progression of the series takes a huge emotional toll on the audience watching it.

I am a criminal, I heard that so often that I believed it. My mother told me that my father was killed in a shootout with the police, so I grew up with this idea in my head of who I was based on things I was told. Turns out that my father died almost thirty years after my mother told me that he did. I grew up dirt poor and my step father was physically abusive to me and my sister. We moved to a new city every couple of years, I always felt that I did not fit in. Kids, being who they are, would tease me about my Goodwill clothes and my parents ugly car. I started to steal candy from the local store early on and I learned that if I gave candy to the kids that they would like me or at least pretend to. As I got older I began to associate money with acceptance. I never felt like I was good enough for people to just like me, so I bought friends often by stealing and hustling.

13. Montauk Beach Home—Bernie Madoff

WARNING: This case involves shocking violence against two children, by another child. This isn't for the faint of heart.

*THIS REVIEW CONTAINS CHARACTER SPOILERS BUT NOT ANY PLOT SPOILERS*

Once, Oscar Wilde wrote "Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth."

They’re bestsellers for a reason

First of all lets make clear that these are my views and only mine, also I warn that they require the correct attention and understanding otherwise I may come across as some kind of self-appointed king.

"Lord forgive them. They don't know what they are doing," those are the last words of convicted murderer Larry Swearingen. In July of 2000, a jury found Swearingen guilty of raping and murdering 19-year-old Melissa Trott. Crimes he adamantly denied committing, despite the "mountain of evidence" against him.

Note: This story contains accounts of murder, necrophilia, and cannibalism, each as disturbing and gory as the other.

Described as Cyberspace's Most Wanted, Kevin Mitnick became a symbol of government oppression during the late nineties. Between 1995 to 2000, he spent five years in prison, out of which eight months were in solitary confinement. Charges? Wire fraud, interception of wire or electronic communications, unauthorized access to a federal computer, and causing its damage.

Two counts of predatory sexual assault, one count of first-degree criminal sexual act, one count of first-degree rape and one count of third-degree rape.

In addition to being a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Norman Mailer was an attempted murderer who used a a penknife to stab his wife, Adele Morales, in 1960. This resulted in him being involuntarily committed to Bellevue Hospital for 17 days, and also three-years' probation. In other words, he had a criminal history. This may be why he empathized with Jack Henry Abbott. Mailer helped publish Abbott's 1981 memoir, In the Belly of the Beast, collected from their correspondences as Abbott served time. Though Abbott had been found guilty of forgery, bank robbery and murdering another inmate, Mailer thought he had potential as a great writer. As it turned out, In the Belly of the Beast would make Abbott a one-hit wonder. Not only was his followup sort of a flop, but Abbott foolishly threw it all away not long after being freed in June of 81.

In the 1980s crime in New York City had reached almost epidemic proportions. Apparently, New York was suffering by increased immigration and as a result a much younger population and, added to that, New Yorkers were hit hard by welfare cuts. It wasn’t safe to travel the subway and you would be advised not to go to certain areas, particularly after dark. Yet, by the end of the 1990s the city had cleaned up its act and saw a dramatic fall in the rate of crime.

I'm sure you have seen the news about Natalia and how there is a big debate about whether she is a teenager or a grown woman. Before I saw The Dr. Phil Show I kept flipping over in my mind; she's a child, not an adult. After watching Dr. Phil, I still keep arguing with myself. I don't understand how a 16-year-old girl could say she's never had a period; that seems a little odd to me. Could any conditions delay puberty by that much? It seemed to me when doctor Phil asked about her previous families, Natalia was maybe willfully holding back specific details. Like when her former foster mother said she couldn't do it anymore after Natalia broke her siblings' arm. It would seem to me that maybe she does have past of aggression, and perhaps that's why she could not make it work with other families. I felt that Natalia looked older than 16 in presenting herself older than 16. Now I know that some teenagers appear to be older than they are because of life experiences. Still, there's usually a personality flaw that tells their age. And I did not see that in Natalia's case, but I am no expert by any means. I think perhaps Natalia's appearance may have hurt her in the long run on The Dr. Phil Show.

Star shines at the outset of the show with a question about squabbling in a mall. Mr. Torain wants to know who assisted the young woman to the mall. He also wants to know if there is a heterosexual adult mixer down in the Atlanta area. The other topic includes Steve Harvey’s daughter Lori Harvey, who allegedly tried to flee from the scene of a collision. Some guesswork comes into play on Star’s part as he says that Harvey must have said about his daughter that “God will handle this.” Mr. Torain would like to know if Lori tweaked on a substance prior to getting behind the wheel. He declares the exit of Bucwild from the rehabilitation “program” a “nightmare.”

Something about stepping through that sliding door and into that rush of plastic-y, dense, drug store air seemed to flip a switch in my brain. I was no longer there to tag along while my mother ran errands. I wasn't there to browse the aisles, to beg for a shiny new toy, to play games. I was there to make off richer. No longer would children like myself have to leave their wealth to adults; I would acquire my own wealth and I wouldn't have to wait until I was an adult to do it. No one was going to tell me when I could eat candy; I would get my own candy, and I wasn't asking.

A mysterious anomaly steps out of the woods, near an empty road. It is a shadow stepping out of the dark, walking south. It’s a demon, covered in leather, faded denim, dirty boots, long tangled hair, slim with a long pale face and a stern chin. It becomes clear, it is a man, he approaches closer. He is clean shaven and covered in blood, a knife dangled on his belt in its sheath.

It was a beautiful sunny day with clouds large and looming covering the sun with enough illumination to light the earth below. The sky was blue as the pacific ocean and the clouds as light as snow. It was January so the weather was cool enough to wear a nice knitted sweater and not even sweat, so it was one of those days, the days where you open the front door and there are dozens of kids outside riding bikes, playing tag, hide and go seek, even the parents were outside sitting on porches and talking, no one was stuck on the couch glued to the television drinking beer or wine and what ever you think depressed people do in their homes.

Here are some interesting-and shocking facts about serial killers.

**Due to the sensitive nature of the following article, I would like to preface this with a trigger warning: This article may contain details that are confronting to some and potentially triggering for those that have been victims of sexual assault, rape and/or a violent crime, and/or have experienced mental illness.**

If I told you who I actually was and that all these "stories" that were about to be told were real live home truths, you wouldn't believe me and you would most likely be about to hit the back button to find something more raunchy to fulfil your vocabulary appetite.

It was one of those days that dragged on at school, and I couldn't wait for the class to end. I usually go to the coffee shop on the corner where they make the best darn coffee along with the sexiest business men that you could lay your eyes on.

Criminal justice is a hot button issue in this country. Kamala Harris used her background as an attorney general for president on a criminal justice platform. The recent talk of the legalization of marijuana, medical and recreational, has served as a gateway to discussing pardoning people that have been convicted for small amounts of marijuana in their possession. Early on in his presidency, Donald Trump pardoned Joe Arpaio, which was very controversial, given Arpaio’s background. It’s everywhere – statistically speaking, around 1 in 3 American adults have a criminal record.

If you Google the phrase "private prisons," a lot will come up. You can read news articles for days. People for and against these private prisons have made sure the topic stays in the news cycle. And it definitely has stayed in the news. The topic of private prisons can be confusing and overwhelming, and if you are someone who doesn't know a lot about private prisons or how they are funded/run, you may be wondering, "are there really that many private prisons and prisoners in the US that this should be such a big issue?"

The method in which the Criminal Justice System defined rape has been notably changed by the Sexual Offences Act 2003, adopted on 1 May 2004. Any sexual offences carried out before 1 May 2004, are prosecuted under the 1956 Act which defined rape as any type of intercourse, without consent ,performed by a man with the victim being either male or female . Also, the intercourse in the 1956 Act is categorized such as non-consensual anal or vaginal intercourse, not including oral sex without consent . (Cps.gov.uk, 2012 ) The term consent was interpreted by the court ,by its common signification. Furthermore, if the perpetrator considered that the victim consented ,even though the statement was unreasonable ,it was jury ‘s responsibility to decide whether the act was consensual or not . (Cps.gov.uk, 2012) Contemporarily, sexual offences perpetrated after 1 May 2004 are being prosecuted under the Sexual Offences Act 2003,which elaborates and extends on the laws surrounding consent and also amends the definition of rape by introducing vaginal or anal penetration by a penis ,as well as penetration mouth of a person. The word rape is currently defined in the legislation as ‘(1) A person (A) commits an offence if- he intentionally penetrates the vagina, anus or mouth of another person (B) with his penis, B does not consent to the penetration, and A does not reasonably believe that B consents ‘ (Legislation.gov.uk, 2018)

A letter to the new FAA administrator needs to be responded!

Josie… promise me something. Protecting this family comes first. When it’s time to quit, we quit. No questions asked.

A highly underrated cult thriller, "Like Minds" (2006) is mostly based on and depends on the understanding of various Christian/Anti-Vatican historical legends and facts in order to make sense of the film. Thankfully, if you're over 12 you've probably heard of them at least and the rest of it is explained in the film. I've probably watched this film some five or six times and the first time was just recently after it came out and it really creeped out the then, eleven year old me. It was a DVD release and was about a year after the release of the film. It's pretty gory and there's a bit to stomach but mostly it's a thriller and a very psychological one at that, so let's investigate what made this film so damn good.

The Irishman, Martin Scorsese's latest, has been described as his 'magnum opus.' It has been in development hell since at least 2004, but it wasn't until Netflix brought the rights to it in 2015 for an astronomical 159 million dollars, that the project finally took flight. It drew further attention by reuniting the legendary director with Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci for the first time since 1995's Casino, and more still with the addition of Al Pacino, who had never worked with Scorsese or Pesci before. This titanic assembly of talent built up a tidal wave of expectations for the finished product, and given Scorsese's remarkably consistent track record and reputation as arguably the greatest American director of all time, it was likely that the film would be on par with previous works such as Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, and Goodfellas.

I'd be lying if I said Netflix doesn't give enough love and affection to crime documentaries in their library of over a thousand shows. I'd also be blind, considering a good portion of the catalogue evolves around the touchy subject. But, evidently, Netflix do seem to have a special bond with crime dramas and murder mysteries. Now, whether that's a good thing or not – you'll have to tell me. Either way, there's no denying Netflix's thirst for criminal mastermind binge-worthy seasons. That's apparently a running theme they've been sticking with since the launch of the streaming service. But, why? It's not like we all have a soft spot for serial killings. Or, maybe we do, I don't know.

Well, it's rare that a mystery or thriller surprises me with almost all of its twists, but the second season of You, now streaming on Netflix, did just that. And with the same wit and style that lit up the first season, maybe even more. All of which adds up to a highly, often immensely, enjoyable second season of this literate and introspective serial killer.

What Makes a Murderer is a Channel 4 documentary series exploring an age-old myth: Are murders born killers? The series is co-produced by Dragonfly and UnderworldTV, a TV production company made of ex-criminals and crime experts. At the moment of this writing, it has aired the entire 3 episodes.