Titus and Ryan In Court Together
February 1, 2006 | 1:36
pm
A longtime follower of bodybuilding, Joshua Longbardy (who is my colleague at Las Vegas Weekly) went to court this morning to cover the Titus and Ryan hearing for a feature on the case. He was kind enough to dash off these observations for readers of The Movable Buffet on what transpired:
"It wasn't until Craig snuck her a few furtive glances, along with a few clandestine words, that Kelly cracked. Throughout the entire morning Kelly had remained silent and impassible. (Even when the prosecutor leading the case against her had announced to Judge Bonaventure's courtroom, packed with journalists of all types: cameramen from local news stations, photographers from bodybuilding publications, AP reporters, etc. that she was no longer being charged with accessory to murder in the death of Melissa James, but rather, with one count of murder, as well as one count of kidnapping; and that Craig too now had a kidnapping charge added to his plate.) She just sat reclined in the back of the courtroom, handcuffed, two rows behind the biggest man in the room, Craig, saying no more than what her attorney, the venerable defense lawyer Tom Pitaro, advised her.
In fact, it was Craig who appeared uneasy. He shook his head at the new charges, tried on several occasions to capture the attention of Kelly, or a bailiff, or his lawyers: Richard Schonfeld, from Goodman & Chesnoff here in Las Vegas, and Steven Boozang, from Massechussets, and leaned forward in his seat all morning like a student waiting for the right time to ask for a bathroom pass. But he in all certainty stood very still when Judge Bonaventure announced the date of the couple's preliminary hearing, March 29, and that of their bail hearing: Feb. 10.
Kelly and Craig were arraigned together today, at about 8 a.m., because Kelly's lawyer made that request yesterday, during Kelly's original arraignment (via video teleconference). Since Jan. 22, the day the two embarked on a long and awkward extradition from Massachusetts
to Las Vegas in separate caravans, the married couple had been detached. Kelly arrived in Southern Nevada, and was booked into the Clark County Detention Center, on Jan. 26; Craig, on the 28th.
to Las Vegas in separate caravans, the married couple had been detached. Kelly arrived in Southern Nevada, and was booked into the Clark County Detention Center, on Jan. 26; Craig, on the 28th.
And so it wasn't surprising that Kelly's eyes became red with an incipient tear flow after Craig slipped her a few intimate glances, a few words that were inaudible to me in my seat ten feet away. Court had just been adjourned, and they were rising in synchrony with the 19
other detainees who were arraigned this morning in front of Judge Bonaventure when Craig made this contact. As the prisoners marched out of the courtroom in a single file line, Kelly, in her baggy prisoner's jumpsuit, looked like a distraught little girl."
other detainees who were arraigned this morning in front of Judge Bonaventure when Craig made this contact. As the prisoners marched out of the courtroom in a single file line, Kelly, in her baggy prisoner's jumpsuit, looked like a distraught little girl."
(photo by Jae C. Hong/AP)
Thanks for the inside update - check out the court documents and other stories related to the case at http://www.titusandryan.com
Posted by: titusandryan | February 01, 2006 at 05:54 PM
Craig and Kelly are presumed innocent until proven otherwise. They are part of our community and we stand behind our own until charges are proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
If a fair and open minded jury gets the case and makes a decision-then that is the time to take sides.
Ron Avidan
Getbig.com
Posted by: Ron Avidan | February 01, 2006 at 11:30 PM
another senceless murder, drugs, and booze can twist any mind, its not the body that controls our deeds.
Posted by: steve | February 02, 2006 at 07:01 AM
The only ones who are obligated to presume the two are innocent is the trier of fact, usually a jury. No one else is obligated to so presume. If I want to state an opinion on whether or not they committed the murder, that is my right , with the understanding that I could not qualify to sit as a trier of fact.
Posted by: john hernandez | February 03, 2006 at 10:07 AM
No one right now knows but the few involved. We should not pass judgement. I personally met Titus three years ago at one of my husband's competitions and in no way could I see that man doing those things, but the truth of the matter is only he knows what happened, IF he did this horendous crime he should pay, if not this man's name will never be the same.
Posted by: Monica | February 04, 2006 at 02:47 PM
Of course they could be innocent, I mean who among us hasn't taken a sudden "vacation" a few days after a charred body is found in one of our cars, we trade one of our vehicles in, drive cross country with $8300 cash in the fake bottom of an aerosol can. We've all done it, come on.
Posted by: jbellamar | February 06, 2006 at 06:35 AM
jbellamar is right. In fact I just did it myself last week. signed Jacob Robida
Posted by: charlie cline | February 07, 2006 at 12:16 PM
KNEW CT SINCE 1994, THIS IS VERY SAD. A VERY SAD STORY ALL THE WAY AROUND FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED. I BET THEY WISH THEY HAD THAT DAY BACK TO RELIVE OVER AGAIN. THE BODYBUILDING COMMUNITY CAN SAY GOODBYE TO CT AND KR FOREVER.
Posted by: old friend | October 18, 2006 at 06:30 PM
I knew CT in Houston in 1987. He was an impressive and nice young man (fit and strong at 176lbs) with a nice wife at the time. I never knew him once he became famous, but periodlically looked in to his success. Since we all wanted to be fitness stars back in the late 80's, I often thought I missed the ship (I would not want the roids in me to be on that ship) while he sky rocketted to the top.
That being said, It is a great tragedy and a waste of three lives which all were special people. The whole truth will never be known to the public, but the tragedy sure is!! What a waste!!
Posted by: Craig | July 25, 2007 at 01:25 PM
off to PRISION for these two KNUCKLEHEADS............
Posted by: anonymous | July 29, 2007 at 06:55 AM