About L.A.W.


  • MOTTO: Qui male agit odit lucem. ("He who does evil despises the light.")

  • PUBLISHER: Local Area Watch, Inc. ~ a Michigan non-profit corporation ~ Copyright 2002-2011

  • STAFF: William Tingley, Executive Director ~ Bridget Tingley, Editor ~ Mary Green, Office Manager

  • CONTACT INFO: Local Area Watch, Inc. ~ 1009 Ottawa Avenue, N.W. ~ Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503 ~ ph 616-458-3125 ~ fx 616-454-9958

Other Third Wave Junta Websites

« G.R. PRESS BREAKS BIG STORY | Main | LOCAL BOY HITS JACKPOT AT SINKING FIFTH THIRD »

March 03, 2008

TrackBack

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d83451e55369e200e550a91a1a8834

Listed below are links to weblogs that reference THE STORY OF JACK CROFOOT:

Comments

Feed You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.

Temp

You should send the report to the consumerist blog, and also send it to the state attorney general's office. If everything in here is true, state and nationwide exposure should get people to react.

The Executive Director

Hi, Temp.

Yes, it should get more attention, but that'll take time especially in light of the local media's unwillingness to report the story. Jack Crofoot doesn't have time, because he is facing a trial soon and needs a lawyer who will do the modest amount of work needed to put forth his defense.

Regards,
Bill Tingley
Executive Director, L.A.W.

Jack Crofoot

(March 06, 2008 7:30 pm Just now read you Column.)

I can't tell you thank you enough Mr. Tingley for telling my story. I cannot believe this thing has modulated so far out of perspective. Yes, Mr Sivers, my Court Appointed Attorney did tell me that Judge D J Buter had asked him [Mr Siver} if I [Jack] thought this was a Capital Case, just have him plead Guilty and we will not impose any jail time or fine on him. And tell him that if he dismisses you, I [Judge} will only give him one more chance at a Lawyer.

Do I have any proof that the Judge said this, of course not, only the word of an Attorney who has already lied to me 3 times that I know of.

Assure your readers that I indeed have time stamped copies of ALL communications from Spartan Stores Inc. and Employees, Attorney Sivers, and the Grand Rapids City Attorneys,Police Department, and the City Commissioners.

As you suggested, Henry Erb of WOOD-TV told my Apartment manager that he would only follow the story if I was put in jail!!!

Faye

Shame on Spartan.

Shame on the GRPD and their moonlighting officers.

Shame on the city appointed lawyer.

Shame on the judge.

Shame on the t.v. reporter who doesn't feel this is a story worth covering until you become a jail bird.

I'm sorry to see your situation go so far Mr. Crofoot. Your case is a sad example of how pathetic our judicial system has become today. The guilty seem to go free or worse, have a free pass for life in other ways. Victims, of which we have too many these days, seem to carry the burden of a system that seems broken like so many of our other systems; school, medical, government, etc.

I hope they look at the video tapes, listen to testimony and clear your record so, you can be a free and honorable citizen again. No one deserves to make such a minor mistake (especially in light of your limited sight issue) and have it taken so far.

Julie James

Our judicial system has a serious problem getting things into evidence in order to see who is really guilty and who is really innocent (I reference not only Jack's case, but also the Toxic Towers Case so well documented on this web site). I have no doubt these are but two examples of how the guilty run free in our system and how those who are innocent are tarred, feathered and tossed to the wolves. Those who stand up for themselves, are daring enough to speak out, bold enough to bring evidence to light are beaten down in a system over-burdended with legal technicalities, uncaring and uninspired attorneys and disengaged judges.

Jules

wannabe

Did I miss something? There is no Family Fare near the corner of Burton and Breton. I am very sympathetic to Mr. Crofoot's plight, and think the story is as ridiculous as the rest of you, but there is no F.F. near that corner. Now, there is a D&W...is this the store in question? Since Mr. Crofoot is legally blind, he may not know that the store he was in was a D&W or a Family Fare, but the extremely enlightened Mr. Tingley is not legally blind...(are you?)

"Read it on the internet...must be true."

Be careful, people...

Jack Crofoot

Dear Wannabe,
I apologize to you. I only told Mr Tingley the Family Fare on Breton. The Following is the exact information you may desire.

Family Fare Breton Meadows
4325 Breton Rd. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 495122
near the corner of 44th and Breton SE.
across the street from Walgreen's at the Corner Corner of 44th and Breton SE.
Store Manager: David Freeman.

The same man who verbally assaulted me and wrongfully detained me for 2 hrs. against my repeated requests to leave. Opened and went through my entire wallet against my repeated protests. Also, retained and refused to return to me my white cane and cane bag. And only called the Police "...because you will not sign the Intent To Defraud Form. Sign it, and I will not call the Police and you can go."
This particular store is DBA (Doing Business As) D&W Stores
Spartan Stores Operate: Family Fare, Felpaush, Glen's Stores, and a discount Pharmacy. "All part of your Neighborhood Stores"

Again, please accept my apologies, this entire incident has me very worried. Before God, I tell you there was NO INTENT on my part to defraud, and as a matter of fact, while still in the store I discovered the $7 item and was heading to the cashier when the Security Guard and the Assistant Store Manager detained me and prevented me from paying for the item.
Please do not vent on Mr. Tingley, I am responsible for the information and am glad to share all of the time & date stamped Communications. My telephone #517-414-0354. By the way I have never received hang up calls on a routine bases before I challenged this event. I cannot help but remember that David Freeman Store Manager had called me only to say that he would continue to do so.
I contacted Spartan Stores and they said the phone calls would stop. They keep coming from a blocked number.
Jack C Crofoot, Jr.

The Executive Director

Hello, everyone.

Locating the Family Fare store at Burton & Breton was my fault. As I pass through that intersection frequently enough, I should have known better -- especially because Mr. Crofoot did tell me 44th Street & Breton. Thanks for the correction.

Regards,
Bill Tingley
Executive Director L.A.W.

The Editor, L.A.W.

Dear Readers,

We posted this case scenario to the best of our knowledge at the time of publishing. If any interested parties have any additional facts or documentation to support or challenge the chain of events or people involved, we welcome such feedback.

As Bill noted above, if corrections are found they will certainly be published. It is in our best interests, the interests of our readers and the public at large to be kept abreast of any and all relevant facts that come to life.

We posted this story as it was one worth telling. From the feedback we are getting at this site, our private mailbox and page hits, we think the public agrees.

Regards,

Bridget Dupont-Tingley
Editor
The Local Area Watch

Jack C. Crofoot, Jr.

I would like to thank everyone who has contacted me and the Tingley’s through the L.A.W. of Grand Rapids site.
I feel somewhat obligated to keep you up to date on what is happening now.

I received a letter a few minutes ago from my Public Defender, James Anthony Siver license P33597. In this letter he tells me that just prior to the jury selection tomorrow morning at 08:30 am. He will present a motion asking Judge D.J. Buter, 61st Judicial Court, to “Withdraw As Counsel for the Defendant” [Jack Crofoot]..in this matter”
1. There appears to be a breakdown in the Attorney / Client relationship…Defendant does not appear to have confidence in the work [what work???] of the Attorney…
2. The Defendant appears to be asking the court to replace counsel with someone else. [ I , Jack Crofoot only asked for the Judge to hold Mr. Siver to the Ethics, Mr. Siver Swore an oath to up hold And stated in the letter to the Judge [J.D. Buter] that if Mr. Siver could be honest and professional with me, I would gladly continue with him .] I can only surmise from putting these to statements together, that Mr. Siver does not wish to abide by honesty and professionalism.
3. He also asked to be released from all responsibility for my case. I personally want to hold him responsible for the two months he has had to prepare for this case and had not done so. His has wasted two month of the Court’s time, and that of the City Attorney, and myself. Therefore I will ask the Judge if he grants Mr. Siver his Motion, to also delay the proceedings at least two months to give new counsel the same amount of time to prepare. And not to proceed to trial until the proper amount of time has been given to new Counsel to actually prepare for the case and to serve subpoena’s to all of my ACCUSERS, and Subpoena the actual Video tape in its entirety from Spartan Stores, the existence of which has already been stated to by Jason Knight, GRPD Cadet Employee / Cowboy Security Guard, Heidi Dingman, Corporate Security Coordinator. and Tim Bartkowiak Director for Spartan Stores Inc. Loss Prevention Department [Head Security Guard].

I will continue to keep you informed…Jack Crofoot

Jack C Crofoot, Jr.

Jack Crofoot from Grand Rapids, MI.

Hello Everyone,

Thanks for all of your help, but please do not set it aside just yet.

I just returned from 61st District Court. My Public Defender Mr. Siver put a motion before the Court just prior to Jury selection. He asked Judge J.D. Buter to Release him from further duties as my Attorney. Citing the disruption in the Attorney / Client relationship. He also started to state that I had requested his removal. He caught himself and changed his wording twice after that. Finally he said he felt he could no longer continue as my Attorney. He went on to say that in 30 year of practice he had never "not been able to get along with a client.

Judge J.D. Buter then asked for my comment. I simply stated that at no time had I asked for his removal, and in fact two separate times I said that if he could be honest with me from this point forward, I would be glad for him to continue as my Attorney. But, if he wished to be removed, I had no objection.

Judge Buter signed the motion. He then told me that Mr. Siver would have to meet with a newly appointed Attorney to discuss the case and pass along all work product.

I thanked him and Court was adjourned.

If anyone would like to write Judge J.D. Buter, 61st District Court, 180 Ottawa, Grand Rapids, MI. I would like to express how very kind, forth right and professional he was about this entire situation. He lived up to what other Attorneys in the area had expressed to me, "He is an honest and fair Judge."
I would like to say, "Thank you, Sir for your professionalism"

He has place the case on hold until a new Attorney can be appointed and brought up to date. At that point in time he will reschedule the case to pick up where it was... Jury selection. Not a new start, thereby not causing a further delay in proceedings.

I will keep you posted. Jack

The Executive Director

That's good news, Jack. I think it is very important you get an attorney who will defend you properly. Please keep us posted.

Regards, Bill

Russell GR#1

Jack, it's a pity your attorney jumped ship before even bothering to get a copy of the video tape, talking to the witnesses and interviewing the manager of the store (who originally agreed not to take this case any further).

But, in today's world why should any of us be suprised that one appointed for the people (your public defender) would be the first to high tail it out of there when actual work and defending a client would be needed. So typical. New golden rule - you are guility until proven innocent and you can't be proven innocent without a top level attorney, judge shopping and spending a fortune.

So much for land of the free, brave and honorable. At least in Grand Rapids.

Jack Crofoot

03/16/08 Sunday afternoon
Jack C Crofoot. Jr.-Grand Rapids, MI
Update:
On Thursday as written above, Public Defender, James Anthony Siver - P33597, of Siver & Associates, PLLC withdrew as my Attorney of Record.
Later that afternoon the Court appointed:
Amy M. Rademaker - P47974
Law Group of Rademaker & Kelley PC
2920 Fuller Ave NE Ste 209
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
Phone: (616) 364-8791
Fax: (616) 447-8656
I contacted the office as directed by the Court Letter. I was pleasantly surprised to be talking to a very gracious man, Scott Irons a Paralegal for the Office. He took all of my information was very open and outgoing and most of all treated me with normal respect. He told me that Ms. Rademaker was not yet aware of her assignment but that he would tell her and give her all of the necessary information. And from this point forward I might be talking with Brenda, Ms. Rademaker’s personal Paralegal. How different and reassuring it was to have such a professional response.

I am looking forward to meeting and talking with Ms. Rademaker.

I will continue to update you. Thank you One and All for you interest and help. Please hang in there with me. Jack

Julianna

Good luck Mr. Crofoot. We hope that there is still legal representatives out there who are willing to properly defend a client using both the law and the evidence at hand. If you are indeed innocent, we hope you are found clear of all charges. Best to you.

Glad you covered this story Mr. Tingley. Maybe your publishing of this story will cause the parties involved to do their job properly this time. Too bad the Press and other media outlets couldn't do the same. Guess that's why we need the Local Area Watch!

Scott Lorencen

I have known Jack Crofoot for only a few years, but to me he is one of those rarities in life; someone you like instantly upon meeting. I`ll put my life savings on the line and gladly- without hesitation- venture to say that Jack is anything but a petty shoplifter. I am personally very disgusted and outraged at this whole scenario. One simple question; if indeed Jack is a thief, why did he offer to pay for the item? Why didn`t he just boogie out the door and go on his merry way? Instead of simply thanking Jack for his honesty and letting him pay for the overlooked item, (END OF STORY-should have been, that is) this was allowed by incompetent and overzealous individuals to snowball into an absolutely ridiculous situation; one that should be laughed out of court by any competent judge. My prayers are with you Jack, and I am very interested in seeing how this plays out. God bless.

Jack C Crofoot, Jr.

By:Jack C.Crofoot, Jr.
Re:Newly assigned Public Defender
Amy M.Rademaker Attorney at Law

03/19/08 12:50 pm Talked with Brenda, Ms. Rademaker’s Paralegal, by phone. Brenda said Ms Rademaker has received the Notice of Jury selection slated for April 24, 2008 @8:30 a.m. Brenda made an appointment for me to meet with Ms. Rademaker @4 p.m. on this Thursday 03/20/08.
Will keep you updated-Jack

MARY E.

I HAVE KNOWN JACK FOR A FEW MONTHS AND HAVE ONE THING IN COMMON WITH HIM. I, ALSO, AM LEGALLY BLIND IN ONE EYE AND MY SIGHT IN MY REMAINING EYE IS LIMITED. JACK AND I HAVE COMPARED NOTES OCCASIONALY.
IT IS VERY HARD TO SEE THINGS AND I AM FORTUNATE TO HAVE MY CHILDREN WITH ME AT ALL TIMES WHEN GOING TO THE STORE FOR THIS REASON.

IN THE PAST, I ONE TIME WALKED OUT WITHOUT PAYING FOR AN ITEM AND NEVER REALIZED IT TIL I GOT HOME. IT WEIGHED ON MY MIND HEAVILY AND MENTIONED IT TO A CHECKOUT CLERK UPON MY RETURN TO THE STORE TO PAY FOR A .69 CENT ITEM.

JACK IS A VERY CONCIENCEOUS MAN AND I HAVE NO QUESTION IN MY MIND, THE HONESTY HE DISPLAYS AND TO BE ACCUSED OF SOMETHING LIKE THIS AND THEN TO HAVE CARRIED IT THIS FAR IS OUTRAGEOUS. WHAT KIND OF A JUSTICE SYSTEM IS OUT THERE?

HANG IN THERE JACK, YOUR NEIGHBORS BELIEVE IN YOU.

Shelly

Mr. Crofoot- Stand up for what is right. I feel that there isn't 1 person out there that hasn't made a mistake and then made it right. It is very interesting that they wouldn't let you make it right with them. I can only speak for myself but I to have left a store with merchandise only to realize that it was still in my cart and I missed it and went back in to pay for it with no questions asked. I hope that the people that are against you can live with what they are doing. I guess GOD will be their judge. Keep on fighting for what you believe in----the truth. Good luck!!!!

Jack C Crofoot, Jr.

Jack Crofoot- updating.
Thank you one and all for your comments.

An incorrect theme that continues to appear here,
I would like to correct for purposes of Total Clarity.
"leaving the Spartan Store with an unpaid Item."

AT NO TIME DID I LEAVE THE SPARTAN STORE
WITH AN UNPAID ITEM. The Item was discovered
[STILL IN THE STORE]
By me at the front of the store, nowhere near the exits,
and still in sight of the Cashiers.
I found it when I reached to put on my coat.
[STILL IN THE STORE]
I immediately reached in my back pocket to get my wallet
turned around to head for the Cashier [STILL IN THE STORE]
and was prevented from paying for the Item by
Double Agent Jason Knight and his Store manager assistant
(the tall heavy one with the Ladies Curly Perm).
They stopped me and prevented me from paying for the item
and told me that they were not going to let me pay for it.
They then took my wallet, the item in question,
groceries (over $175), my cane and cane bag.
And for 2 more hours they played word games and
refused my multiple requests to leave and to return my wallet and cane.

On a more exciting note: My Newly appointed Public Defender
Amy Rademaker, Attorney at Law. Talked with me on Thursday 03/20/08.
I Received a Copy of The Subpoena DUCES TECUM on Saturday morning 03/22/08

Under the Sixth Amendment of the Constitution,
You are given the right to face your accuser and a
right for the Court to Compel the Accuser to
appear in Court to face you. Because, Jason Knight stipulates to the fact that he Noticed me “on the VIDEO” acting strangely, and continued to follow me around the store for about 1 ½ hours on the same VIDEO, observing my strange actions of getting close to the product and backing up and repeating that action… All of Jason Knights information entered into his Official Report was base on said VIDEO. Jason Knight exercising his Conflict of Interest afforded him by his police/attorney adviser Margaret Bloemers, personally selected a 2 min. section of the nearly 2 hr. VIDEO showing only the Item being placed in the cart. But Jason Knight did not include the video showing the “ ITEM” LEAVING THE STORE, BECAUSE THAT NEVER HAPPENED. THEREFORE CANNOT BE PRODUCED ON VIDEO OF WITNESS TESTIMONY
,

Jack C Crofoot, Jr.

Spartan’s crack (?sp) Security Team is at it again.
In an earlier online blog I asked what is next in Spartan Stores, Inc. agenda. Are they going after the “dangerously elderly next?” Well like a prophecy fulfilled, it happened Tuesday March 26, 2008 before 12 noon at the same Family Fare on Breton and 44th .
An Elderly gentleman had place a bag of dog food in the bottom of his cart. A concerned Citizen who has been following this very incident, noticed a Security Cowboy (one of Jason Knight’s cohorts and Spartan Store’s Finest) following this elderly man. This Concerned Shopper watched at a distance to see if anything was going to develop, knowing the history of this very store.
At check-out, both the Cashier and the person bagging the groceries allowed the man to pass through the Checkout, even though the “bagger” later stated she had seen the dog food and did not help the elderly man retrieve it.
Then, right on time, the Security Cowboy stepped forward laid his hands on the man and asked him what he thought he was doing. The nearby Shopper immediately stopped the Security Cowboy and told him to take his hands off his fellow shopper. The Shopper was told to mind his own business. The Shopper said this was his business because he could just as easily been the victim and not the Elderly Man. The Security Guard tried to Bully him and the Shopper called the Police.
To the best of his recollection, An Officer White (Female Officer) responded to the call. The Store assumed she would want to hear their side of the incident first. Wrong, the Officer asked to speak to the person who called in the complaint. She then spoke with the Shopper, George Taylor of Kentwood. He explained all of the above and more to her. She then spoke with Dave Freeman and the Security Cowboy. At this point Freeman said that he did not wish to press charges after having wrongfully detained the man. And the man was free to leave. The Elderly Man was so distraught by the incident that he started to leave with his groceries (the Dog Food still in tow) George Taylor stopped the man and told him to push to dog food out from underneath the cart. While doing so the bag ripped, spilling part of the contents on to the floor. The Attack Dog Security Guard started to go after the Elderly Man again, when Freeman the Store Manager pulled his choke chain and told him to stay out of it.
Freeman, then in front of the crowd told the Security Guard to get his things and leave the store by the way of the front door. And then Freeman asked the Shopper George Taylor if he could give Taylor a $100 shopping spree. George told him no but maybe he could do something about his Security Guards and Spartan Policies that allow things like this to go unchecked.
George Taylor the Shopper then told Freeman that while he and his security guard were troubling this Elderly Man, a real shop lifter grabbed a bag of Reeses peanut butter and chocolate candy, put it under his coat and walked out the door. George told Freeman to check out his Video Camera’s and he would see a real shop lifting.
Not being sure of what would happen next, Mr. Taylor went out to watch from his car. George noticed the Security Guard coming out to a white Nissen, parked in a Handicap Parking Space. Then the Police Officer wrote the Security Guard a Ticket for parking there.
Can anyone even guess what is going to happen next??? This one surprised even me!!!


The version of the story I report above was given to me by George Taylor of Kentwood.
If you have any contradictions to the above story PLEASE submit them and they will be corrected.

Jack C Crofoot, Jr.

Hi Folks
Thanks again for all of your support. And a special thanks to the Tingleys for keeping this posting listed.

A lot of very important things are about to come together at the National Level. I am very excited regarding all of the phone calls I have received from Broadcasters etc. around the U.S.
I have even had contact from those abroad. Thanks one and all for your mass mailings, and contacts made on my behalf. Please keep it going.

The only thing that keeps injustice from prevailing is keeping everything open and not behind closed doors.

Keeping you updated, Jack

The Executive Director

That's great news, Jack. We're glad to hear that your story is starting to get the attention it deserves.

Regards, Bill

The comments to this entry are closed.

L.A.W. Highlights

  • Yeah, and Summer is Hotter Than Winter
    The Grand Rapids Press ignores science to promote feel-good politics on the environment and becomes the watchdog that doesn't bark.
  • When Will It Stop?
    Enough of the repulsive tactic of accusing everyone of bigotry who doesn't kowtow to the racemongers.
  • Thirty-Six Bucks
    Balancing the City budget: Maybe it's time for those making a living on the taxpayer's dime to give up a little instead of sticking it to the taxpayer one more time.
  • The Problem With Teachers
    Why teachers are the professionals least suited to run a school district -- or even a school.
  • The Pig in the Python
    The dirty little secret behind the success and failure of every school reform that the education establishment, the public school bureaucrats, and the teachers unions will never reveal.
  • The Fool's Gold of a College Education
    Most kids who get a college degree today have nothing but an expensive credential that lands them a job that any high school graduate could have gotten a generation ago -- WITHOUT the heavy burden of paying back a student loan.
  • The Fixer
    A four-part series about the local attorney behind the demise of Autodie, Butterworth Hospital, Amway, and Old Kent. Warning: Strong accusations of corruption, greed, and skullduggery. Not for the feint of heart.
  • Poison
    The nasty nature of the 26,000 tons of poison that The Boardwalk's developers dug up and then dumped upon the rest of us.
  • No Honor Among Thieves: The Demise of Quixtar
    The re-branding of Amway as Quixtar put lipstick on the pig, but none of the crappy way of doing business changed. Now comes public scrutiny around the world to control its kingpins and clean up the dirty "tools" business.
  • Lost Cause
    A story of how River City lost its way to a secure economic future.
  • Living Wage Kills Jobs
    City pols support a Marxist policy that, like all Marxist policies, hurt the very people they say it will help.
  • El Dorado, Big Rock Candy Mountain, and the Grand Rapids Public School District
    Those of us not in straitjackets are fairly certain that lands of fabulous wealth free for the taking do not exist. No El Dorado, no Big Rock Candy Mountain, no Shangri-la, and no GRPS with money growing on trees.
  • Defenders Who Do Not Defend
    Excessive plea-bargaining, lack of preparation, shoddy to non-existent representation, conflicts of interests are rife among lawyers taking public defender cases on the taxpayer dime.