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 Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2014 7:59 am
BBW.com Exclusive:
After his arrest on 6/3/14 during the first live televised episode of Monday Massacre, Blackjack was taken into police custody and held at Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility. The following morning he was taken to the Pulaski County Courthouse for his arraignment. While cameras were not permitted in the court room, BBW.com was able to acquire the transcripts from his arraignment.
Bailiff: All rise, the Pulaski county court is now in session. The Honorable Stanley Burgess presiding.
Burgess: Be seated.
Bailiff: This is case number 21003, Malcolm Alexander.
Malcolm Alexander: Blackjack.
Burgess: Excuse me?
Blackjack: My name is Blackjack.
Burgess: I am not concerned with your stage name MR. Alexander. Where is your attorney.
Blackjack: It's my name, and I don't know. They appear to be late, Judge.
Burgess: Mr. Alexander, I am aware that you portray a character; but you are not on your show... what is it?
Bailiff: Bad Blood Wrestling.
Burgess: Bad Blood Wrestling. You are in Pulaski county courthouse, facing criminal charges of attempted murder. You have the right to have an attorney present. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you. Do you understand this right.
Blackjack: I'm sure they're on they're way. Be patient Judge.
Burgess: Mr. Alexander, this court is not here to play at the whim of a celebrity. I will be addressed according to the honor afforded my station, and it will not be held up because you lack an attorney.
Isabella Corri: My apologies your honor.
Burgess: Who are you, and wh...
Lilian Adair: We are Mr. Alexander's attorneys. We apologize for our tardiness. Our flight was delayed by inclement weather.
Burgess: Ahem, very well. However you will refrain from interrupting me agai...Isabella: Terribly sorry your honor, we simply wish to proceed with our clients arraignment so that we may be briefed on the full case.
Burgess: ... ... Very well. Present in this courtroom for purposes of this arraignment is, the defendant Malcolm Alexander. And his counsel...
Isabella: Isabella Corri, your honor.
Lilian: Dr. Lilian Adair, PhD.
Burgess: Doctor?
Lilian: I hold a PhD in Criminal Psychology, your honor.
Burgess: Very well. Representing the state of Arkansas is county prosecutor, Carl D. Brodsky, as well as assistant county prosecutors Micheal Bates, and Paul Farrell. Mr. Alexander!
Blackjack: Blackjack.
Burgess: Counsel, you will inform your client the proper educate of this courtroom or he will be held in contempt.
Ineligible whispering
Lilian: Our client has had his name legally changed. Here is the documentation your honor.
Burgess: ... ... ... ... Very well... ... Blackjack. The constitution of the United States, and the state of Arkansas guarantee to you, charged with the commission of an offence, certain basic rights which are as follows; you have the right to know, and understand the charge placed against you, you have the right to a speedy trial, you have the right to a trial by jury, or you may waive that right and have your case tried by a judge without a jury. At trial, the state of Arkansas has the burden of proving you guilty by evidence beyond a reasonable doubt. You have the right to meet your accusers face to face, and the right to cross examine witness for the prosecution through your attorneys. You have the right to summon, or subpoena witnesses on your behalf. And you may not be compelled to testify against yourself. You have the right to counsel, if you are unable to afford an attorney yourself and there is no one willing or able to assist you, the court will appoint lawyers to defend you. You will be assessed a $25 fee for an appointed attorney, you will not be denied representation by an attorney if you are unable to pay it. However, you may be ordered to repay court appointed attorney fees at a later date.
This morning you are not here for the trial of your case. You are here for arraignment, which includes the setting of a bond. The law provides that after you are served with an indictment, you have twenty-four hours before you must answer that indictment. If it is less than twenty-four hours since you received a copy of your indictment, but you wish to be arraigned this morning anyway, you may waive the twenty-four hours notice; and we will conclude your arraignment this morning. Finally you will be asked how you plead, if you want to plead guilty and you do not have a lawyer, the court will assign counsel for you so that you may have a full understanding of your constitutional rights before entering a plea of guilty. Your case will be assigned to a judge whether you plead guilty or not guilty. Do you understand that sir?
Blackjack: Eehyep.
Burgess: Excuse me?
Lilian: Our client answered in the affirmative, your honor.
Burgess: Very well. Ms Corri, Dr. Adair...
Isabella: We understand, and we have received the indictment. Our client wishes to waive the full twenty-four hours and proceed to arraignment.
Burgess: Very well. I will now read the charges in this indictment, one count Aggravated assault, in violation of 5-13-204.a1, and one count Battery in the first degree in violation of 5-13-201.a1.2. Do you understand that sir?
Blackjack: Eeh...
Lilian: Our client understands and answers in the affirmative.
Burgess: How do you plea?
Isabella: Our client pleads not-guilty.
Burgess: Very well. A bond of $250,000 cash or property will be set. The case is assigned to Judge Anthony Sharp. A preliminary hearing will be held on 6/13/14. Anything further?
Lilian: No, thank you, your honor.
Burgess: Very well.
Bailiff: All rise.
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Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2014 8:05 am
Blackjack's lawyers posted bail, and he was released within an hour of his arraignment.
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Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2014 6:26 pm
Judge Anthony Sharp refused to allow cameras into the preliminary hearing concerning Blackjack's charges. Likewise the transcripts will not be made public record due to the publicized nature of the charges. The announcement that follows was released by Blackjack's attorneys after the hearing.
Isabella Corri: The preliminary hearing was just held in the Pulaski county courthouse. Judge Sharp has ruled that the prosecution has enough evidence to proceed to trial. The trial date has been set for August 1st, 2014. While Judge Sharp refused to allow this preliminary hearing to be recorded, he has agreed to allow BBW.com to join the press pen during the trial.
Dr. Lilian Adair: We have already spoken with BBW executives and have arranged for BBW to stream the trial live on BBW.com. We are pleased to say that, while out motions to dismiss were rejected; we are confident that we can prove our client, Blackjack, is not guilty of the charges levied against him. Unfortunately we are unable to reveal our strategy at this point and time; but to all of Blackjack's loyal fans, rest assured; he will retain his freedom and be able to compete at this summer's PPV event. Thank you very much. That is all.
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