Fox 59's Russ McQuaid reported on the TV news station's 10:00 p.m. broadcast last night that the leaking of the identity of a confidential police informant in last summer's arson case is what triggered a search warrant being issued against radio talk show host and blogger Abdul Hakim-Shabazz. You may recall Indianapolis had a string of arsons last summer mostly on the city's near southeast side. According to McQuaid's report, the identity of a confidential police informant surfaced on the IndyUndercover blog site last June. That triggered the request for a search warrant being requested by Indianapolis police to search the computer of Shabazz, long-suspected of being behind the IndyUndercover blog. Four hours before police were prepared to act on the search warrant, someone tipped off Shabazz who quickly lawyered up. In the end, the search warrant never got executed.
The public learned of this incident because Shabazz posted about it on his blog, Indiana Barrister, this past month after the election. Shabazz did not, however, reveal the fact that the search warrant pertained to the arson investigation and the leaked identity of a confidential police informant. Instead, he mentioned the fact that he was looking into a reported investigation by police of a prominent local Democrat at the time of the search warrant, and that police suspected he was behind IndyUndercover. Shabazz acknowledged he had a role in encouraging local police to start up the blog, but he denied being involved in its day-to-day operations. It is unclear why the search warrant issue didn't surface until five months after the post first appeared on IndyUndercover.
McQuaid interviewed Indiana University Law School Professor Henry Karlson, a criminal law specialist who is often a critic of police, about the story. Karlson did not believe anyone committed obstruction of justice by tipping off Shabazz in advance about the search warrant. Karlson insisted the search warrant was illegal on its face. McQuaid has a copy of the search warrant, which he shared with Karlson. There is no posted story on Fox 59's website, accompanying the video which ran with the story and can be viewed on the Fox 59 website. Hopefully, Fox 59 will post a copy of the search warrant on its site later.
There is an interesting aspect of this story that deserves a closer look. City-County Councilor Sherron Franklin, who is an IMPD officer, worked on the arson investigation, at least earlier this summer. You may recall police apprehended a suspect, but the arson continued after he was in police custody. She is quoted in at least one news media report defending police handling of the case. IndyUndercover has been a big supporter of Franklin's, openly urging her re-election at the same time the site actively supported the election of Republican Greg Ballard over Mayor Bart Peterson. The site sprung into existence after police dissatisfaction grew over the merger of city police and county sheriff's departments. Franklin voted against the police merger when it came before the council.
It is also interesting that Fox 59 appears to be the only local news media source which followed up on Shabazz' public discussion of the search warrant. Shabazz has an affiliation with WRTV Channel 6 news. Why didn't WRTV look further into the story?
Fellow blogger Ruth Holladay interviewed Shabazz over the weekend about the demise of IndyUndercover. She describes Shabazz as "cagey" as ever concerning his alleged role in the blog. It doesn't look like Shabazz is going to discuss McQuaid's story on his radio talk show this morning either. At least, I haven't heard him mention it yet.
25 comments:
Oh what a tangled web Abdul has weaved for himself.
If this is all going where I think it's going, it's a sad day.
Becasue since Abdul arrived, local news reporting has gotten better. He works a lot of hours, and has sources all over town, which local reporters couod've had prior to his arrival. If they cared to break a sweqat.
McQuaid is one of those who always worked hard. But he's on an alternative network viewed by few citizens.
Unfortunately, some in town, and we all know who, have elevated the anti-Abdul rhetoric to racial levels. As in, "if a black politician does something questionable, you should, as a bruther, turn your head." Which is exactly what Abdul's chief rival does, regularly, on HIS radio talk show.
I'm hoping it all clears up favorably for Abdul. But there's a lot of smoke here...too much for no fire. Pun not intended.
If Sherron is involved, it'll be goofy. Hot political rumor; she'l be Ricketts's new Lawrence police chief.
Which would be appropriate.
Seems a little too coincidental that IndyU would announce "final post" shutdown just before this story broke.
Interesting that Abdul originally stated the search warrant was with regard to a sex crime supposedly committed by a notable Democrat.
Now we know that he lied. He did not just tell a childish fib, he flat out lied.
When Abdul had been nailed for outing an undercover cop the "pucker factor" started to set in real fast and he went into a panic. Then he called a lawyer. Then the warrant was never served? Or was it?
Abdul cooperated with the cops that were after his ass and promised them he would shut down IndyUndercover. Then, just as he shut down IndyU he fancied up his Barrister site.
Not only is Abdul an incompetent coward he his also a liar.
Social climbing in this town does come with a price and I'm afraid Abdul may just be looking for other employment real soon.
But then of course, he can work for Ballard, assuming Ballard wants that baggage.
Abdul will get what he deserves, a free ticket back to Illinois where came from.
Heard the same about Sherron in Lawrence. Also some appointment for Jessup. Both former Democrat's.
The public deserves to know Ike Randolph's role in this blog. If insider reports are true, Ballard is going to name him Deputy Mayor. If the truth is revealed, Ballard wouldn't touch Randolph with a ten-foot pole.
9:43 Abdul is one of the few voices of reason in Indy. Time will tell if he has a direct connection to IndyU and if he did I hope to be the first to pat him on the back and say thanks.
IndyU was and is a site where LEO's can vent, if they post something that is Anti-leadership so what. The leadership of IMPD is second rate at best.
The left leaning lib's hate IndyU because it played a role in Peterson's defeat... get over it.
Peterson turned this town into something out of the Wild West. Now with a little work we can have a safe place to live once more.
If Abdul had a hand in Peterson’s downfall then I say thanks Abdul. Would Abdul obstruct justice? Never!
What reeks is the timing. Just before Peterson is put to pasture this becomes a story. Abdul needs to disclose who in IMPD is behind this investigation. That would be interesting.
I have noticed "coincidences" that imply IndyErnie knows a lot more about IndyU than he too is letting on...
Indy Undercover appears to have been deleted entirely. Something's up. Somebody's feeling some heat, otherwise why not just leave it there for people to comment on?
Sure will be interesting to see who has their name on that search warrant. Of course, wouldn't that search warrant have to pass through the deputy chief of investigations hands?
Wow, I bet their will be alot of people washing their hands of all that.
"who me, I didn't know anything about that search warrant."
Someone signed their name to it. Would not want to be that person.
If Abdul was involved in the Indy Undercover Blog, he should get a medal for helping the community!
Concur with 1:36.
Send barristers, guns, and money...
Nothing on the Internet is ever truly gone, if one knows where to look. Certainly the IndyU blog has been saved on Internet archiving sites. Oh, and on some citizens' PCs as well! :)
Why is it that 59 is the only station with the b*lls to coverthis? 6,8,& 13 had nothing about it!
Is that becuase 59 is NOT owned my the current mayor.
Seems a little too coincidental that IndyU would announce "final post" shutdown just before this story broke.
The media was an AVID reader of IndyU! Where do you think they got the story about it shutting down?
Abdul is just another member of the MSM. Won't do a real story unless it gets approved by Bart.
I have noticed "coincidences" that imply IndyErnie knows a lot more about IndyU than he too is letting on...
Maybe he does know more that he admits to knowing. A few people know more than they should. It's called "keeping a secret". Indyernie isn't the only one who is good at keeping secrets.
Capt. Chris "I WAS in uniform, I was on duty, and the guy security guard DID point a gun at me" Boomershine signed the warrant. Someone knows the rest of that story, but Boomershine covered that up.
People lighten up! Who cares if it was Ike or Abdul? IndyU was interesting to say the least.
Wilson46201 said...
"I have noticed "coincidences" that imply IndyErnie knows a lot more about IndyU than he too is letting on..."
Wilson if I do it’s none of your DAMM business...and that goes for your connected cronies too.
How’s that for a response?
Those who care at IMPD know where to find me. I’ll tell them the same.
Anybody wanting to carry on an IndyU type blog contact GaryJ. Gary knows how to contact me. I'll set the blog up in my name and you LEO's can run it.
We can do it via the phone so I won't know who you are.
Contact GaryJ.
anon 513, I'm with you.
All the people who hated IndyU are just mad that some one took away one of their punching bags.
Poor babies.
If Abdul goes to jail, he can be a true jailhouse lawyer.
Anybody wanting to carry on an IndyU type blog contact GaryJ. Gary knows how to contact me. I'll set the blog up in my name and you LEO's can run it.
We can do it via the phone so I won't know who you are.
Contact GaryJ.
Yeah! What he said.
chuckwhitman@hotmail.com
Just like Shultz.
Besides, they can check my home PC all they want. I check the above acct. from the library. Thats why it sometimes takes a few days to getthe messages.
GaryJ--police officers dn't sign warrants. Pro tem, regular or interim judges sign warrants.
Police officers sign probable cause affadavits.
That damned Constitution....
If Abdul goes to jail, he can be a true jailhouse lawyer.
You should have said "WHEN"
It is a shame that people are afraid of having the police or other government agency checking out what they are doing or writing in the privacy of their own home.
When Hamilton, Madison and Jay wrote the Federalist Papers they signed them Publius and the authorship was unknown for sometime. Fear of government encroachment and control over the thoughts and actions of the people can and will lead, not to a free society, but rather a society that is cowering in the corners. Terrified of being found out and unable to stand and oppose the wrongs being perpetrated against it by those in power.
It is a sad commentary that one has to check their blog or e-mail at a neutral location for fear of leaving an electronic footprint at home.
The Fourth Amendment of the US Constitution reads:
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers[electronic or pulp], and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
We have for years been sliding down a slope that has greatly reduced our abilities to be secure in our own homes. It is time that the voters stand and say to our elected officials "ENOUGH". This is OUR city, state, and country and we will not have you taking away the rights of the people.
I hope someone picks up the mantle of IndyU and carries the torch. Not so much to rake the muck, but rather to continue to hold the fire to the feet of those seeking to dilute and destroy our society from within.
If someone does pick up that mantle, it perhaps should be a civilian. A former or retired LEO. Then they can publish and the establishment be damned!
Oops, my mistake. Sure will be interesting to see who has their name on that search warrant.
I saw Boomershine on the warrant and answered the question.
What judge authorization to serve the warrant?
Capt. Chris "I WAS in uniform, I was on duty, and the guy security guard DID point a gun at me" Boomershine signed the affidavit!
Wilson, did you notice that the Indy Chicken website disappeared about the same time IndyU did?
Hmmmm?
Post a Comment