This past Sunday morning gun shots could be heard shattering the comfortable silence of upper town. Anyone out for brunch could have seen the owner of the Aristocrat, Kaidn Zero, pulling a gun and firing several shots at a masked man who had just defaced the street outside of the club. There was a curious resemblance between the mask he was wearing and the mark on the ground, both looking like some form of crazily smiling skull with large white teeth. An eerie sign indeed and from what the masked man said, it was intended as a warning to one of the Aristocrat’s guest. Who? He didn’t say, but present in the club that morning, among others, were town judge Martinho Larson, gym owner Vladimir Ribolovlef and private attorney Aquilah Rau. Was one of them the intended recipient of this warning? Or was it meant for someone more low profile? Perhaps the victim wasn’t even there at the time. 

     The AP Times has information from a reliable source that this mark is typical gang-related graffiti. Lately there has really only been one gang making noise in town. Is this their mark? 

​     Later the same day the mark had been washed away. By the town or by the Aristocrat owner not wanting people to associate his club with gang violence? Who can tell?

Reported By - Min Bradford

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      It's no surprise that the APPD has a new Captain and it seems like the board selected someone with more experience than the last. Officer Eli Vincente is one of the longest standing officers on the island and finally received a seemingly well deserved promotion, already started making some changes for the better. Captain Vincente says "We are instituting some common sense protocols, and we'll be reinforcing our training. Our officers are our only resources, and the leadership, myself included can't afford to be distant any longer. Right now, we've a department of lone wolves. Pound for pound a lone wolf is the toughest thing in the forest, but a pack preforms better. We are partnering experienced officers with rookies, and encouraging partnering up in general. We are going to go over some protocols, and see what makes sense. I am going to work with my officers, and listen to them. They are bringing a lot of ideas." He also stated that he will be establishing a media coordinator as well as an officer in charge community outreach.

     During my time in Asphyxiation Point I've seen and heard about several officers getting over looked or disregarded because the captains simply ignored them or they had no clue who was actually on staff. I know of a few rookies that actually left the force due to such circumstances and I couldn't help but ask the new Captain his thoughts. "A lot of our officers weren't heard, simply because the Captains were unaware of them. One thing you are going to find is I am more present than any previous Captain. And I know the officers, their strengths and their weaknesses. I've got a top flight staff. Jennie, Kerri, Dora, Lewis, Novak, Angelique... great cops, the kind that can turn this thing around. We have excellent probationary members in Carly and Boomer, and I am looking forward to getting to know them better." It seems Captain Vincente has a solid plan to make a difference and went on to say "I know the people hold us to a higher standard, and it shows in the media. We are going to exceed their unreasonable expectations, because the raw talent we have showing is going to start getting used. I am giving up the whole supercop thing, in order to look good in my job, I am going to help the cops we have make me look good. It is hard at times, we don't always get the best recruits, and a lot of them are coming from dubious sources. We aren't like the enemy, we can't really afford to turn many away, but with work on our protocols, we are going to run a cleaner department."

    There is no sense in denying that the department has had several issues lately and shunning the press did not help their reputation at all. Rumors ranging from negligence to flat out public corruption have made the local wary of dealing with any officers. I've been told 911 calls went unanswered, officers were instructed not to patrol certain areas despite requests, cases were dropped, and that there has been a general lack of communication amongst the ranks. These stories and issues were laid out in front of the new Captain and he assured me that if something wasn't handled it was left that way for a reason or that it was being investigated. While it was clear the tough questions aggravated the new Captain, he was patient and addressed everything handed to him in a polite and respectful manner, a much welcome change compared to the last three persons in charge. 

      Perhaps this is a much needed change for the boys and girls in blue? Even some of the officers have nothing but praise and support for the changes being made. We at the Times wish Captain Eli the best of luck and hope this transformation extends into the future.

    

     With recent events that include the kidnapping of district attorney Martinho Larsson, the District Court has negotiated a contract with Sylver Securities. Mr Larsson did state "Naturally I can't provide the terms of the deal but lets just say with so many people getting snatched off the streets recently all employees of the District Court now have added security watching there backs, so attempted snatchings will not be so easy in future on Court employees at least."

     I reached out to the owner of Sylver Securities, Mr Malicki Sylver, and he confirmed "we were asked by Mr Larsson as he has requested that our firm provide the courthouse with added security since after his last experience he has felt that the employees there require a greater level of safety and Sylver Securities is making that happen."

​District Attorney Martinho Larsson has been missing since Monday morning, the 7th of August. If anyone has any details on the whereabouts of Mr Larsson or any known Immortals, you are encouraged to contact the police department. 

District Attorney Eva Perry has been missing for about a week. If anyone has any details on the whereabouts of Ms Perry you are encouraged to contact the police department. 

​ On Saturday The 5th of August, Asmus Zero's trial took place to answer for the charges of attempted murder in the first degree, assault with a deadly weapon, resisting arrest, and assaulting a police officer. Mr Zero was represented by Omidon Zeller and had several family members present in support.

     The courtroom seemed to be a mix of tension, anger, and quiet yet friendly chatter. Several reported members of the Immortals seemed to be in the gallery along with other members of the community. Police Captain Ming Yheng was also present and seemed to be giving anyone that neared Asmus a jealous look. Perhaps this is proof of the rumored relationship between the two?
    
   It should be noted that no jury was present during the trial which means the outcome was determined by Judge Martinho Larsson and prosecution will be determined at a later date. Captain Yheng was the first to point this out and stated " Yo Owner, I think you need to eliminate this case because in every movie there is a judge, this is not a gen..geni..ehm..genuine trial, lah" There were several shocked faces that this sort of statement came from the Captain of the police force. 

     As the trial began, attorney Zeller made his opening statement saying "I motion that the charges be dismissed on lack of discovery to the defense team, promoting as well, lack of evidence. It is known and documented that my client has an extensive issue with Anger and Rage management, to which he is being treated for professionally. However since there are no prior convictions on my client, as well as the basis that discovery of evidence was not shared by the ADA's office, I feel that continuation of this situation is a waste of time and tax payers money to move forward." Of course anyone would expect the defense attorney to protest the case on behalf of their client, but lack of evidence and no prior convictions definitely seems to lead one to think that maybe Mr Zero isn't the criminal everyone seems to think he is?

     Of course, the police were continued to be represented in a rather embarrassing way as Captain Ming Yheng proceeded to kick against the panel behind attorney Zeller as if to get his attention. This seemed to go unnoticed by the attorney at first but others, including Mr Zero, took notice and did not give her the nicest of looks. The judged ordered her silent for a second time and she dismissed herself from the room. Later in the trial Captain Yheng returned to the courtroom unchallenged and seemed to confirm suspicions that she is involved with Asmus by yelling out "Injection!! The article in the paper is true, Yo Honor! I've read it myself!" when my previous article "In bed with the enemy" was mentioned. 

     It should also be noted that the sergeant mentioned in the article, Teddy 'Dora' Phokos, was not only the victim involved in this case but the officer in charge of working it. Sergeant Phoko's also arrived at the trial late and seemed to deem herself prosecutor, which went unquestioned by anyone in the court room. 

     Through the course of the trial, attorney Zeller and Mr Zero maintained his innocence and pointed out that the ADA had not provided required information to them. It was also mentioned that while Mr Zero has anger management issues, he does seek out professional counseling to work on the problem. In the end, he was determined guilty of attempted murder of a police officer. This verdict came swiftly and without little consideration given the conflicting stories and lack of properly filed or shared evidence. There was an outcry from the gallery and all seemed shocked at the verdict. Even Sergeant Phokos was shocked at the verdict and that should tell you something was sketchy. 

      Just about a month ago, the court was featured in the paper as lacking the proper staff to handle and process the growing backlog of cases. Judge Larsson stated "The Police Department put there lives on the line every day in the front line and law and order simply must be respected, therefore I am going to be making an example out of you Mr Zero." Given the goings on in court on Saturday, it is clear that no matter what verdict was right or wrong, Asmus Zero is serving a sentence just so the court can say they are handling cases. It has become ever obvious that we can only rely on a rare few of the local officers to do their job correctly, but with this seemingly predetermined verdict, it is clear we cannot rely on our sixth amendment right to fair trial. 


Reported by Kara Dumitru

On Tuesday, July 11th, 2017, an explosion was heard throughout Asphyxiation Point. It rattled windows, shook the ground and sent a black plume into the air that could be seen for miles. But what's more, it shook the foundation of friendship and family for a lot of Asphyxiation Point residents as several people were severely injured.

The explosion was a bomb. One that targeted the van belonging to Zero brothers Pest Control at the corner of 2nd and Beacon. Garrett and Kaiden Zero were in the vehicle at the time of the explosion. Both men are in critical condition at Asphyxiation Point Hospital. One of them still having yet to undergo surgery to repair a break in his spine that might leave him paralyzed if not successful, according to my sources in the hospital.

Public Health Warning to APPD Officers and Fellow Citizens: 

Two APPD officers in the last week have tested positive for a sexually transmitted disease known as Chlamydia. We are not able to release the name of these individuals because of HIPPA. There fore we stress to any member of the community who has has sexual relations with anyone with a badge from APPD to please report to APH for testing. Both officers have admitted to having relations with several partners in the last few months. They will not release names with has lead to the release of this public health warning to the public. 

 Chlamydia can be treated with antibiotics. You should begin taking them if tests show you have chlamydia or if you have been exposed to them, even though you may not have symptoms. Your sex partners will also have to be treated regardless of whether they have symptoms. Make sure your partner also seeks treatment. You should get retested after three months to make sure the infection has cleared, even if your partner has been treated.

On behalf of the Asphyxiation Point Hospital