This next case hits very close to home, literally. I would drive along the highway near where this crime would take place often. Today, we will be looking at the mysterious death of Thelma Todd. Todd was a world-famous actress in the 1920s and 1930s, starring in silent films such as “Monkey Business” among other […]
Author: Amaya Lopez
The Untimely Drowning Of Natalie Wood
Hollywood is known for the glitz and glamor of its residents and the lifestyle people live. However, it is full of more darkness than most would think. One of the cases that have plagued Hollywood is the drowning of Natalie Wood. Natalie Wood, formerly known as Natalia Nikolaevna Zakharenko, was a Hollywood actress […]
The Keddie Cabin Murder
It’s been over four decades since the Keddie Cabin Murders (or the murders of the Sharp family) took place in Keddie, California. A town in Northern California surrounded by forests and other cabins. Going clockwise are Sue Sharp, John Sharp, Dana Whitegate, and Tina Sharp. On April 12th, 1981, 14-year-old Sheila Sharp returned to her […]
Rough Draft of Issue Brief: The Downfall of Private Prisons
Introduction In 2019, the infamous College Admission Scandal took place with Lori Loughlin at its front. Loughlin was charged and convicted of the crime related to paying her daughters’ way into college. Loughin was sentenced to two months in federal private prison, called Victorville Federal Correctional Institution. There, Loughlin participated in “….recreational activities include pilates, […]
The Alcatraz Escape
One of my favorite cases to take place in California is the Alcatraz Escape. No one was hurt (except for the Alcatraz guards’ pride), which is the most important factor. If the three inmates, John Anglin, Clarence Anglin, and Frank Morris truly escaped- they did not commit any more crimes (that we know of). Before […]
Civic Issue #3: Racial Disparity in the Criminal Justice System: Legislation and Law-Enforcers
The founding Fathers of our nation created the judicial system that is still implemented today – and with it came their biases and expectation of races. All of our country’s leaders owned slaves – and this is prominent in their lawmaking. For example, African American slaves were considered three-fifths of a person until 1868 (nearly […]
The Mysterious Surfer: The Death of Michelle Von Emster
One of the most prevalent comments I receive when I say I am from Santa Monica (a beach town) is asking if I am a surfer. I am not, and I have never been able to surf a day in my life. However, most people in these beach towns do surf, and every so often […]
Civic Issue #2: Racial Disparities in the Justice System- The Prison System
It would be ignorant to say that racial disparity in the justice system, especially the process of incarceration, is not an issue in our country. There are countless people, more specifically, Black individuals who are wrongfully convicted and/or mistreated by our system. We have a sufficient, or even ample amount of statistical evidence to prove […]
Living in PA: Why Certain Aspects Are Still Weird
When I’m asked where I am from, I’m often met with gasps and questions of why I chose Pennsylvania and Penn State. As I’ve mentioned in previous blogs, life in California versus living in PA is almost two completely opposite ways of life. There are still some aspects of living in PA that are shocking […]
Civic Issue #1: Racial Disparities in the Justice System- The Police
The United States has historically been the underdog that rose to the challenge. Dating back to our roots, we fought relentlessly against the British for our freedoms. Eventually, receiving complete freedom and obtained control over our designated land- however inside America’s territories this theme does not persist. In contemporary society, freedom has been an issue […]