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Author
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Topic: Trial opens in sale of stolen artifacts
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Spacepsycho
Member Posts: 482
From: Huntington Beach, Calif.
Registered: Aug 2004
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posted December 22, 2005 07:23 PM
   
Cindy,I'm not a cold hearted person, I feel very bad for your family and what your sister has put them through. I'm sure it's especially difficult on your family at this time of year. I never wish bad things for your sister or your family, but why aren't you as angry at her for what she did, as you are at everyone else? I'm actually a nice guy who's dealt with many scumbags and criminals over the years. I've heard every excuse in the world about why people behave badly, so your sister's tears or falling on her sword, doesn't really mean much at this juncture. I believe in accepting responsibility for your actions and not blaming everyone in society for the choices you make in life. I sleep very well thank you and I can only hope your family gives each other strength & love to get through this horrible episode in your lives. Regardless, instead of ripping into people like me, who mean nothing in your life, why aren't you placing blame where it belongs. I'd like to hear why your sister felt the need to steal rare historical artifacts that belong to all of us, then sell them, so she could pocket the money? Is she on drugs, does she need the money for medical issues or was the money used so she could have a spa weekend? I'm sure everyone here would love to hear your side of the "truth" and if there are underlying issues that you feel haven't been addressed on your sisters behalf, I'm sure Robert would be more than gracious in allowing you plenty of space to explain your sister's situation. I wish your family nothing but peace & happiness and I'm sure you'll get through this together. But don't blame others for the criminal actions of your sister. Ray IP: Logged |
zee_aladdin
Member Posts: 726
From: California
Registered: Oct 2004
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posted December 22, 2005 11:01 PM
Cindy is just trying to defend her sister, just because it is HER SISTER. And that is very understandable.HOWEVER, when someone does something wrong, they must be held accountable, and yes sometimes even Punished.... It is Mind over Matter, Reason over Emotions, and Justice over Unlawfulness ...  IP: Logged |
warstuff
New Member Posts: 1
From: Pensacola, Florida, US
Registered: Dec 2005
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posted December 23, 2005 11:26 AM
Hello All,
I have been monitoring the posts of this website regarding the Shaw trial for some time now and feel it is time for me to address it. I am a historian in the Pensacola area and was at the entire Shaw trial, something none of you can say no matter what side of the argument you are on. The evidence against her was absolutely overwhelming. The rest of the people in the courtroom, the judge, the jury as well as myself were all obviously astounded by the amount of overwhelmingly solid evidence against her. There was nothing but hard, cold, heavily documented facts that without a doubt proved Shaw was stealing from the museum. The space boot was not all that she stole and shipped out of state to be sold. Remember she was not on trial for just theft; she had a total of three felonies she was on trial for. She also stole a Navy Cross and citation that were presented to William A. Smith, the man who is credited with single handedly saving the USS Enterprise and the lives of the thousands of men aboard her during the battle of the eastern solomons during WWII. She also stole a purple heart and its citation also related to Enterprise. Both the cross and the Purple Heart were on display at one time in the museum and this was documented with photographs. Also, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement found what ended up to be box after box of research materials, books, documents and US Navy manuals in her home. They were not neatly packaged to be returned or to be sold, but on her bookshelf in her home and on her nightstand next to her bed where she could see them everyday! These items were stamped as being property of the National Museum of Naval Aviation right on the inside covers. One can only assume that she was using these to write her eBay descriptions. Her excused that the things got mixed in with personal items or that she forgot about them and she didn't know where they came from is bogus, only a fool would buy that. I don't know about you all, but as a collector, I think I would remember if I owned a Mercury Space Boot (one of only about ten in existence), A documented Purple Heart and Black Widow Navy Cross from the USS Enterprise, which was also the most decorated ship of WWII I might add. The "they got mixed in" defense is not a defense at all; the museum's items shouldn't have been at her house to begin with, that is still stealing, hello! When she discovered them she could have shipped them back to the museum, but that wouldn't have made her any money. She had no problem shipping them to New York to be sold so that she could make a few bucks off them. Pay attention here - In open court, for the record, SHE ADMITTED that she was creating false documents and forging the names and signatures on them so that she could send them along with the items she was selling in order to bolster their provenance. She was not only stealing, but RIPPING OFF the buyers TOO! I am not making any of this up folks, it is all public record and the transcripts of the trial are available for all of us to view. If you don't believe me, please get the transcripts and have a read. The statement that the museum was out to get her is about the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard, are you suggesting that the museum made her steal the items and ship them to be sold? Or made her falsify documents? I guess the National Museum of Naval Aviation also killed Kennedy and Elvis. The NCIS, the Navy's investigative body won't even investigate a case unless you can prove more that 10k in property was stolen and the newspaper said the stuff was valued at only $3200. So I guess the big bad evil museum created a government conspiracy that went through Washington to Tallahassee and baked up a giant conspiracy that involved the US Government and the state of Florida as well as every local law enforcement agency, the FDLE, the eBay investigators from California and a string of witnesses from all over the country. Some of the evidence dated back to the 1960s when the items were first received; did the museum fake that forty years ago??? Remember folks; it was the State of Florida that took her to trial, not the museum, not the US Government. Anyway, please don't take my word for it, do a google search on "Sherrie Shaw" and see what the newspapers and TV stations say. Also, obtain a transcript of the trial from the Escambia county clerk of court and find out for yourself. You will find what I'm saying it true. Anyone who would say that she is innocent is fooling only himself or herself. Also, I heard from a very reliable source that she was never offered a plea so she couldn't "cop" one if she wanted to. She didn’t go down like some hero, she went out like a snivling coward that cost all of us a lot of money and who will continue to cost us all by abusing the justice system with a ridiculous, unwarranted appeal. Remember, Pensacola and the Florida panhandle is a military stronghold for active, reservist and retired military personnel from every branch of service. The National Museum of Naval Aviation is a centerpiece for our pride and heritage. The people of our area take stealing our heritage very seriously. I am very happy to see that some on this website do too. Please understand, I do feel very sorry for her family, especially her sons. However, criminals must pay and she is a criminal without a doubt. She has six years of probation after she gets out of prison, which I believe means she can’t leave the state during those six years. Hopefully during that time she can get the help she obviously needs and do something to lift the shame she has brought to her friends and family. All of you, keep up the good work and let us remain vigilant to other theifs who seek to rob us of our space and military heritage.
Respectfully,
Jeff
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zee_aladdin
Member Posts: 726
From: California
Registered: Oct 2004
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posted December 23, 2005 12:11 PM
Hello Jeff:Welcome to Collect Space. Your Testimony and Insight is AWESOME. I respect your SOLID opinion on this matter (it is more like a FACT). I hope everybody on this post, INCLUDING CINDY, can read and Learn from this. Keep up the good work, buddy
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wickball
Member Posts: 19
From: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted December 23, 2005 06:16 PM
Well stated, Jeff, hopefully this case and the media coverage it received is enough to deter others who may be in similar positions from the temptation to steal for personal gain. As the poster above my computer says, this was "Man's Greatest Adventure" and the artifacts left over from it must be safeguarded for all the generations to follow.
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