A Breathing Nightmare
(This is not my story to tell, but I’ll do my best, people need to know)
I never bring my phone to bed, for any call in the middle of the night just plain sucks. No one has ever called me at 2:00 AM to tell me I’ve won the Publishers Clearinghouse Sweepstakes, nah, bringing the phone to bed is begging for trouble.
Going on seven years ago I got one of those calls from my little brother Matt, my eyes were foggy and until I heard his voice I wasn’t sure who was calling. I could hear the sadness in his voice before he spoke, eerily I listened as he softly cried.
“Mallory was hit by a drunk driver he began”, I was now wide awake. (This is the hardest story I’ve ever written, so please bare with me, writing through tears is a bitch) “She’s not doing well”, and with that he started bawling.
I was in shock, petrified, but I had to speak, “where are you, I’m on my way”.
“Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, I need you”, and with that I hung up and hurried to dress. I called my sister and woke her as well, we would both go up.
The drive was quiet as we faced our fears, Mallory was Matt’s only daughter, the female version of him. Smart, sassy, and was the core of an eclectic group of friends. We feared the worst and prayed quietly the entire ride. When we finally got there it was close to 4:00 AM and a few friends of hers were parked in the lobby, heads down , tears flowing.
I was met by hugs, holding up young men and women who needed a miracle, a thread of hope to hold on to. After several minutes I headed up the staircase to find Matt, his boys were there, as well as his wife Raeona, and only family was allowed up here.
He grabbed onto me like I was a life raft in a sea full of sharks, and his tears wet the shoulder of my sweatshirt. Officially the day was now December 7th but the drunk driver had hit her in the late hours of the sixth.
I pried him away from the rest of the group and my sister Kittie held Raeona on her lap, stroking her hair, calming her with word and prayer. I took Matt out front to smoke and gently waved away the crowd of friends that was growing exponentially by the minute. Mallory had been a bartender on Front Street in Santa Barbara for many years and as workers from throughout Santa Barbara had heard of the tragedy, young people flocked to the hospital.
I set Matt down on a small wall outside the hospital and he gained his composure a bit and explained what happened, until this time I hadn’t heard any details. As the story started to unfurl newspaper reporters and television crews popped up like weeds on a front lawn. I perp walked Matt back to the inner confines of The Cottage Hospital and gave these vultures nothing to print but a picture of my middle finger.
The perpetrator of this crime was the Top Aide to Congresswoman Lois Capps and he was drunk, then tried to drive away from the scene. This was front page news, top of the front page news. Raymond Morua was a self medicating vet who was attending a Christmas Party representing Lois Capps, and although it was later discovered this man already had two drunk driving arrests and a pay for play arrest on his record, Lois Capps didn’t seem to care.
He would ride next to her in parades dressed as Captain America , shield and all. (This is not a political piece, but I’d be remiss to not tell you Capps was a Democrat and as the story goes on I came to loathe her and her party)
The morning broke cold and drizzling and a few hundred friends and coworkers were packed inside the hospital waiting room. It fell on Matt and I to deliver any and all news to the ever growing throng of friends and well wishers, and the walk down the stairs stopped on the landing so all could hear.
We were upbeat on occasion and reported the inevitable at other times. Mallory was a fighter like her dad, but when I saw her I was gravy. Her brain was swollen and wrapped in gauze, she had broken bones and external bleeding, but she was breathing on her own. We were all grasping at straws hoping beyond hope she could beat all odds, but the chances were slimming with every tick of the clock.
The hospital staff was amazing as we rode waves of emotion and they set aside a room for the family and her closest friends found their way up. This was a harder ticket to get than The Beatles last concert. We waited and shared stories, staying away from the press.
December 7th is a date that will live in infamy, again, but this being a Friday a miracle did happen. Most bars on Front Street would remain closed this night, for the first time in history, for two reasons. Mallory and the fact every worker from Front Street was at the hospital and no one was leaving.
Because FB will never print the entirety of this in one sitting we will call this Chapter One, and I’ll pick up from here.
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About the Creator
Gregory Dolan Dies
I’ve been around the block a time or two but due to a bad left hip I never get far, I just keep walking in circles. I’m an old rusty merry-go-round that will leave you cut and in stitches.
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Breathing Nightmare
Breathing Nightmare The Final Chapter As I struggled to find the right words the doctors had explained to Matt that Mallory was not going to recover, but the sum of her parts could heal many. Instead of walking her down the aisle, Matt and Raeona walked Mallory down the hallway of the hospital. She donated valuable organs so others could live. It was the 11th of December and both weary and teary my little brother made the announcement on the doorsteps of Cottage Hospital. The crowd was numbering in the hundreds as he gave them the worst news possible.
By Gregory Dolan Dies5 years ago in Criminal
Minneapolis ICE Shooting Updates
In recent weeks, Minneapolis has found itself at the center of a growing legal and political controversy following a shooting involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. What initially appeared to be a straightforward federal use-of-force investigation has evolved into a broader dispute between state authorities and federal officials, raising serious questions about transparency, jurisdiction, and accountability. The most significant development so far is the state’s claim that it has been denied access to key evidence related to the incident. As public attention intensifies, the case is no longer just about what happened during the shooting. It is increasingly about who controls the facts, who gets to investigate them, and how justice is supposed to function when federal and state systems collide. What We Know About the Minneapolis ICE Shooting The shooting occurred during a federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis. ICE agents were reportedly conducting official duties when gunfire erupted, resulting in injuries and immediate emergency response. Federal authorities confirmed the incident and stated that internal protocols were activated, including an automatic review by federal oversight bodies. From the beginning, details were limited. Officials cited the ongoing nature of the investigation and concerns about officer safety. This lack of information, while not unusual in federal cases, quickly became a point of friction for Minnesota state authorities, who argued that the public deserved clarity and that the state had a legal role to play in examining the incident. State Authorities Push for Transparency Minnesota state officials, including investigators and legal representatives, formally requested access to evidence connected to the shooting. This evidence reportedly includes body camera footage, surveillance recordings, forensic reports, and internal communication logs from the operation. According to state representatives, these requests were either delayed or denied outright. The state has since gone on record stating that it cannot independently assess the legality of the shooting without full access to the materials. This denial has fueled concerns that federal agencies are operating without sufficient external oversight, especially in incidents involving potential civilian harm. State leaders emphasized that their position is not adversarial by default. Rather, they argue that cooperation between federal and state agencies is essential to maintain public trust, particularly in communities already wary of immigration enforcement. Federal Response and Jurisdictional Limits Federal officials, for their part, maintain that the investigation falls squarely under federal jurisdiction. ICE operates as a federal agency, and shootings involving federal officers are typically reviewed internally and, when appropriate, by federal prosecutors or inspectors general. In statements released following the controversy, federal representatives cited legal restrictions that limit the sharing of evidence during an active investigation. They also stressed that premature disclosure could compromise witness testimony or investigative integrity. This explanation, while legally grounded, has done little to ease state frustrations. Critics argue that “ongoing investigation” has too often been used as a blanket justification for withholding information, even in cases where transparency could prevent misinformation and public unrest. Community Reaction and Public Trust The Minneapolis community has responded with a mix of concern, anger, and fatigue. For many residents, particularly in immigrant and marginalized communities, the shooting has reopened long-standing fears about aggressive enforcement tactics and lack of accountability. Community leaders and advocacy groups have called for the immediate release of non-sensitive evidence, arguing that transparency is a prerequisite for trust. Peaceful demonstrations and public forums have highlighted a broader demand: that no law enforcement agency, federal or otherwise, should be beyond scrutiny. Local officials echoed these concerns, noting that Minneapolis has spent years attempting to rebuild trust between residents and law enforcement. The perception that evidence is being withheld threatens to undermine that progress. Legal Implications of Denied Evidence From a legal standpoint, the state’s inability to access evidence raises complex questions. While federal agencies do have authority over their operations, states also have a responsibility to investigate deaths or injuries occurring within their borders. Legal experts suggest that this dispute could set a precedent. If states are routinely blocked from reviewing evidence in federal use-of-force cases, it may limit their ability to pursue independent inquiries or bring charges under state law when applicable. Some analysts believe the issue could ultimately be resolved in court, with judges determining whether the state has a legal right to access certain materials. Such a ruling could have national implications, influencing how future federal-state conflicts are handled. Political Dimensions of the Case The Minneapolis ICE shooting has also taken on a political dimension. Immigration enforcement remains a deeply divisive issue, and incidents like this tend to amplify existing ideological divides. State officials critical of federal immigration policies view the denial of evidence as symptomatic of a larger lack of accountability. Meanwhile, supporters of strict federal enforcement argue that state interference could hinder effective operations and put officers at risk. This political tension complicates the path forward. What might otherwise be a procedural disagreement risks becoming a symbolic battle over immigration, law enforcement authority, and states’ rights. What Happens Next? As of now, the investigation continues under federal oversight, while the state explores its legal options. Negotiations between state and federal officials have reportedly not been ruled out, suggesting that a compromise could still be reached. Potential next steps include limited evidence sharing under confidentiality agreements, congressional inquiries, or judicial review. Each option carries its own risks and consequences, both legally and politically. What remains clear is that public pressure is unlikely to fade. Minneapolis residents, like many Americans, are demanding clarity, fairness, and accountability in cases involving law enforcement use of force. A Broader Conversation About Accountability The Minneapolis ICE shooting is no longer just a single incident under investigation. It has become a lens through which broader issues are being examined: the balance of power between federal and state authorities, the limits of transparency, and the role of public oversight in a democratic society. Whether or not the state ultimately gains access to the evidence, the controversy has already sparked an important conversation. How that conversation translates into policy, practice, or reform remains to be seen, but its impact will likely extend far beyond Minneapolis. In the end, accountability is not only about assigning blame. It is about ensuring that systems function openly and fairly, especially when lives are affected. The outcome of this case may help determine how well those principles are upheld in the future.
By Saboor Brohi 6 days ago in Criminal
Wild Card Weekend Recap: What Happens Now?
I think I figured out why I love Wild Card Weekend so much. It's because it's the first playoff anything of the calendar year. The NFL season starts in the fall, and once upon a time, the champion was crowned either on or slightly before New Year's. The evolution of the NFL schedule has resulted in the playoffs starting just into the New Year, and currently, the final week of the season falls on the first weekend of the New Year, with Wild Card Weekend coming a week after that. So yes, chronologically, the NFL's Wild Card Weekend serves as the first playoff anything of the calendar year.
By Clyde E. Dawkins2 days ago in Unbalanced
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