Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Jurors in 'Curious George' murder case hear about spank...
Article from PalmBeachPost.com available at this link:
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/local_news/epaper/2008/06/17/0617curiousgeorge.html
By LARRY KELLER
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
WEST PALM BEACH — Jurors in the first-degree murder trial of Vincent Puglisi heard Tuesday about viscous violence, a transsexual, gay sex and spanking parties.
And that was before a single witness testified.
Puglisi, 56, is also charged with robbery with a deadly weapon in the February 2006 stabbing and slashing of Alan Shalleck, 76, who co-edited books and film shorts about Curious George, the much-loved children's cartoon character, at his Boynton Beach mobile home.
If Puglisi is convicted of the murder, prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty. The Broward County man accepted, then rejected a plea to a reduced charge last week that would have given him a 30-year prison sentence.
Vrod - one of three public defenders representing Puglisi - called him "pathetic" and in "la-la land" during opening statements. But she said he was a passive observer as his lover, Rex Ditto, murdered Shalleck. "He did absolutely nothing," she said.
Ditto pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in October and was sentenced to life in prison.
Shalleck had two sons, but underwent a "late in life change in sexual orientation," said prosecutor Bryan Poulton in his opening statement. And he had a spanking fetish. That's how he came to know Puglisi.
About a year before his murder, Shalleck advertised in a gay publication for spanking partners. Puglisi was his occasional sex partner, but not keen on spanking, Vrod said. But Ditto was, and Puglisi couldn't satisfy him sexually, so they paid a visit to Shalleck on Super Bowl Sunday for what was to be a spanking party, Vrod said.
First the men watched, not football, but a Liza Minnelli special, Poulton said. Ditto and Shalleck then went to a bedroom, where the spanking commenced. Ditto would later tell police that Shalleck wouldn't stop paddling him when he asked him to, so he grabbed the paddle and walloped him in the face with it. He said when Shalleck grabbed his neck, Puglisi joined in and started stabbing the older man.
Ditto admitted to stabbing Shalleck, but said Pugisi was responsible for most of the mayhem.
Shalleck suffered 83 blunt force injuries, including chipped and broken teeth and lacerations and contusions to his head, face, torso, arms and legs, an autopsy found. He had 37 stab wounds and 49 defensive wounds incurred from trying to defend himself.
The latter shows "he was suffering, he was fighting, he knew what was going on," Poulton said. Shalleck died from "unspeakable violence," he added.
Not at the hands of Puglisi, Vrod told jurors. She said her client spent his life going from "companion to companion" and "attaching himself to people." When Puglisi's boyfriend of 28 years dumped him prior to his having met Shalleck or Ditto, Puglisi pierced his nipples, dyed his hair and eyebrows and began "re-entering the dating scene."
"Here we have this lonely guy, can't quite get it together," Vrod said. When he met Ditto, he went along with his desires in order to please him, she added.
Poulton never said in his opening statement that Puglisi stabbed Shaleck. He did say, however, that he threw a glass candlestick holder at him and held a seat cushion over his face while Ditto stabbed him. And Puglisi helped Ditto plan the robbery and murder of Shalleck, he contended.
Puglisi also admitted to a transsexual friend that he killed Shalleck, Poulton said. And a handwriting expert will testify that a $450 check allegedly from Shalleck to Ditto was actually written by Puglisi, he said.
The trial is expected to continue into next week.
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/local_news/epaper/2008/06/17/0617curiousgeorge.html
By LARRY KELLER
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
WEST PALM BEACH — Jurors in the first-degree murder trial of Vincent Puglisi heard Tuesday about viscous violence, a transsexual, gay sex and spanking parties.
And that was before a single witness testified.
The case has "every possible bad fact you could get in a homicide trial," Assistant Public Defender Shari Vrod said in her opening statement.
Puglisi, 56, is also charged with robbery with a deadly weapon in the February 2006 stabbing and slashing of Alan Shalleck, 76, who co-edited books and film shorts about Curious George, the much-loved children's cartoon character, at his Boynton Beach mobile home.
If Puglisi is convicted of the murder, prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty. The Broward County man accepted, then rejected a plea to a reduced charge last week that would have given him a 30-year prison sentence.
Vrod - one of three public defenders representing Puglisi - called him "pathetic" and in "la-la land" during opening statements. But she said he was a passive observer as his lover, Rex Ditto, murdered Shalleck. "He did absolutely nothing," she said.
Ditto pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in October and was sentenced to life in prison.
Shalleck had two sons, but underwent a "late in life change in sexual orientation," said prosecutor Bryan Poulton in his opening statement. And he had a spanking fetish. That's how he came to know Puglisi.
About a year before his murder, Shalleck advertised in a gay publication for spanking partners. Puglisi was his occasional sex partner, but not keen on spanking, Vrod said. But Ditto was, and Puglisi couldn't satisfy him sexually, so they paid a visit to Shalleck on Super Bowl Sunday for what was to be a spanking party, Vrod said.
First the men watched, not football, but a Liza Minnelli special, Poulton said. Ditto and Shalleck then went to a bedroom, where the spanking commenced. Ditto would later tell police that Shalleck wouldn't stop paddling him when he asked him to, so he grabbed the paddle and walloped him in the face with it. He said when Shalleck grabbed his neck, Puglisi joined in and started stabbing the older man.
Ditto admitted to stabbing Shalleck, but said Pugisi was responsible for most of the mayhem.
Shalleck suffered 83 blunt force injuries, including chipped and broken teeth and lacerations and contusions to his head, face, torso, arms and legs, an autopsy found. He had 37 stab wounds and 49 defensive wounds incurred from trying to defend himself.
The latter shows "he was suffering, he was fighting, he knew what was going on," Poulton said. Shalleck died from "unspeakable violence," he added.
Not at the hands of Puglisi, Vrod told jurors. She said her client spent his life going from "companion to companion" and "attaching himself to people." When Puglisi's boyfriend of 28 years dumped him prior to his having met Shalleck or Ditto, Puglisi pierced his nipples, dyed his hair and eyebrows and began "re-entering the dating scene."
"Here we have this lonely guy, can't quite get it together," Vrod said. When he met Ditto, he went along with his desires in order to please him, she added.
Poulton never said in his opening statement that Puglisi stabbed Shaleck. He did say, however, that he threw a glass candlestick holder at him and held a seat cushion over his face while Ditto stabbed him. And Puglisi helped Ditto plan the robbery and murder of Shalleck, he contended.
Puglisi also admitted to a transsexual friend that he killed Shalleck, Poulton said. And a handwriting expert will testify that a $450 check allegedly from Shalleck to Ditto was actually written by Puglisi, he said.
The trial is expected to continue into next week.
The "Top Ten" Rules of Spanking
- Never play if you have been drinking alcohol. It dulls the senses and impairs judgment.
- Never play with someone you don't feel completely safe with - trust your instincts. "No" is an acceptable answer. If NO is not respected, neither are you. Stop immediately and leave.
- Agree on safewords before playing. Common words are "yellow, " meaning you're approaching your limit, and "red" means stop. If safewords aren't respected, then you aren't either. Stop immediately and leave.
- The top is responsible for monitoring the bottom's condition. If there are skin ruptures or bruising, it's time to stop no matter what the bottom thinks or wants. Stop play and tend to the condition immediately.
- Never strike above the tailbone. Kidneys and the base of the spine are easily injured.
- Never test a "new toy" on a partner. Test it on a pillow or your hand first until you have command of it. And never be a test subject. Control and proficiency should be demonstrated to prevent injury.
- If there is "wrapping," either change position or the toy. Or take a break - wrapping can come from leaning when the top is growing tired. Some toys tend to wrap more than others - throw those away.
- If you bind wrists or ankles, there should be enough room to slip a finger in. Watch for any evidence of the fingers or toes turning bluish. Unfasten immediately.
- Tops are not automatically Doms, nor are Doms automatically Tops. Bottoms are not automatically subs, nor are subs automatically bottoms. One is more mental and the other more physical. Avoid disappointment by choosing the right kind of partner.
- Use common sense. It's called "play" for a reason.
Spanking Story: The Choirboy
'Very questionable conduct, brother Cedric,' I began reasonably. I groped for an inoffensive word, rejected 'grope', 'I noticed you fondling the innocent brother Jerome.' I observed that the word 'innocent' seemed to provoke a flicker of merriment.
'I know I am frequently sorry, but this time, Holy Father, believe me, I could not be sorrier.' Cedric's role in the order was a clerk, his hand was mediocre and his attention to detail incomplete.
'I shall have to purge you of this errant behaviour and sin.' I stated in a sullen thunderous rumble of anger. My words hung tremulous in the nasty long blot of silence. A look of genuine pain filled Cedric's face.
Cedric knew that I possessed a stout leather strap; perhaps he suspected that I enjoyed employing it to lash the bare buttocks of errant monks and novices, but he would certainly be able to recall how much it scalded and hurt when applied with vigour to his own rump.
You can read about Cedric's punishment by the Abbot at:
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