Photos folks might not have seen

Always wondered what she looked like!

 

http://www.apbt.online-pedigrees.co...dD7oH4DLHm2M6iwAakLvcaLpwOucQrKi9CWlzpXTPn0Lc

 

http://www.apbt.online-pedigrees.co...dD7oH4DLHm2M6iwAakLvcaLpwOucQrKi9CWlzpXTPn0Lc

 

Four white feet w/white neck marking, IMO just screams Kingfish!.. Fitch's CH.Diamond Jim and Ratliff's CH.Trap what we aimed for when we bred this male...
http://www.apbt.online-pedigrees.com/modules.php?name=Public&file=printPedigree&dog_id=331673
over this female.
http://www.apbt.online-pedigrees.com/modules.php?name=Public&file=printPedigree&dog_id=6817
I was high on it at the time, can't deny it!

 

http://www.apbt.online-pedigrees.com/modules.php?name=Public&file=printPedigree&dog_id=350022

 

I was at this show location the next yr after Airplane was there. Met his last owner, real nice guy and dogs he had

 

How did this dog work out?

 

CH BANCROFT'S BLUE EYES (4XW)



http://www.apbt.online-pedigrees.com/modules.php?name=Public&file=printPedigree&dog_id=48743

Many breeders always try to breed better dogs than both parents, after all, if you don't try to improve with each generation, your dogs and your success will fall by the wayside. BLUE has quite a pedigree and to elaborate on it seems appropriate.
BLUE's father, Busdrivers' CH TY, was a good dog with average bite and good wrestling ability. His gameness was proved in his last match against Carter's STARE, I believe a product of Mason's CH HOG, in 1:57. His other two fights were not very tough, especially his second when he was conditioned and handled by the late Bert Clouse. TY's sire was Jackson's AMOS MOSES, a littermate to Carver's DIAMOND, and I believe a two time winner. TY's dam was Henneke's COWGIRL, who also produced a two time winner called STOMPASON.
BLUE's dam, my RED DARLING bitch, was never matched due to the fact she lost all her teeth in a game test. RED DARLING's sire was the two time winner Jackson's TOAD, a littermate to Bancroft's CH SPADE, double bred off Walling's BULLYSON. RED DARLING had three littermates make it to the pit, the best of which was Petrie's BUDDHA. RED DARLING's dam was my KNUCKLES bitch, she was by Carver's DIAMOND out of Tonn's CH MISS J. MISS J was out of AMOS MOSES.
BLUE being out of the first litter I ever bred and raised, is special to me. He was named BLUE because he had blue eyes as a pup, they later turned gold. He is definitely a product of selective breeding. He has more talent and bite than either parent and is as game as either. Imagine a Champion in the first try at breeding!
His first match was into a dog from the east called DARTH VADAR at 49 pounds. It was the first time out for each and VADAR stood the line for his third at 0:50.
The second was into a dog from the Wilder bloodline, named 3-TOOTH, and he was also a one time winner. This time it was at 50 pounds. BLUE was getting the old ride the head treatment at the start and was having trouble getting in. By 0:20 BLUE finally drove him into a corner and went into the chest which let the air out of 3-TOOTH's balloon. 3-TOOTH stood the line his second time up.
BLUE's third was against a dog named APOLLO, who had previously beat a good dog from the Midwest. Again at 50 pounds. From the start it was easy to see that APOLLO had the skill and finesse to ride the head and he had the bite to go along. When BLUE could not get in for the first hour, I knew we were in for a long one. The pace was very fast for big dogs, BLUE would hurt APOLLO in flurries, but it was clear that APOLLO was in great shape and was such an athlete that he would dominate the action. By 1:30 BLUE was the down dog and was being drug around. I knew I was in trouble now and just prayed to get a handle to get BLUE up. With every handle and scratch BLUE went hard and straight, even though he got the worst of it when he got there. At 1:45 APOLLO's handler fouled but the referee only warned him. After a couple more APOLLO seemed to be losing interest and got busted in the corner on BLUE's scratch. Finally at 2:11 APOLLO came half way across and then went to a neutral corner. BLUE ran a courtesy scratch and then went home a Champion!

CH. BLUE...The Dog Behind Schoolteacher's GR. CH. SHEP

 

IMPERIOS KENNEL’S CH LA DENTISTA





I took a first peek at her when she was about 14 months old. she started out as a little better than average in most areas, but i was always impressed with how smart she was and how great she moved around the pit. As schooling progressed she continued to improve very rapidly, her mouth went from average to some serious 9 or 10 and she began to develop crazy finishing traits. it got to a point where she would disable you pretty quick and then finish you on the throat. she did this every time and every time it was better and better and deadlier and deadlier. What made her so good weren’t only the traits I have already mentioned, but the fact that she was so smart. She never wasted energy, she would study you for the first few minutes, control you, punish you and then finish you. When I say control you, I don’t mean the ear, she loved the face to do the punishment. She would grab you in the nose, around the eyes or right in your mouth and would take every teeth in your face (hence the name Dentista). Once the punishment was done and she felt ready, she would move to her spot, the throat, and it was game over. She ended four this way and several more during schooling. She was about 20 months old when I was done with schooling, I knew I had one special bulldog and wanted to accomplish an almost impossible feat. I wanted to do what very few dogmen have done. Campaign her into 5 different countries and only into winners.
I made the phone call that started everything. I called my good friend and partner, A from the A-Team. I told him I had a 42lbs female ready and to get her hooked for me. It just so happened that at the time of the phone call an International Convention was being put together. Several of the top dogmen from around the world were planning to attend. I told A that this was the perfect scenario for my goals, to get to work and get her hooked but only into a winner. A few days later A. calls me to give me the good news, thatwe were hooked into Lara Kennels and that they had a very good 1XW. Forfeits were placed and we were hooked. I was to travel seven hours to a 14 card International Convention with some of the best dogmen from Europe, USA, The Islands, PR, DR and SA. Both my opponent and I were right on weight at the scale. Sury was the man in the middle. Bitches at 42lbs. Lara released early and got right on my chest. He released as he was stepping inside the pit and caught me off guard. La Dentista working the face from the bottom, this went on for about 5 minutes, La Dentista on the face doing great damage. It was all La Dentista from this point forward, pushing and punishing the face. Opponent with bleeders all over her face and getting weaker. La Dentista moving to the throat for the finish. At 18 it was all over. La Dentista 1XW in 18 minutes.
We were home and ready to continue campaign. I heard through my contacts that there was a great 1XW that had done her first in quick fashion and was being hyped as a killer. I got on the phone and called the OR-Jack Kennels. We agreed to terms and got hooked. After several problems with this camp they finally made it to the show site. At the scales they were 2lbs over the contracted weight, which by this time I wasn’t really surprised. I won’t waste my time talking about this worthless camp, so to make the story short I’ll just say that I accepted to go forward with the 2lb disadvantage. This was La Dentista’s longest match. We had to push 2lbs and the size difference was very noticeable in all areas. David from Revolution was the man in the middle. Things were pretty even through the first 30 min with La Dentista having to do most of the work, she tried hard to stay in the face, slowly she began to get in the mouth and punishhard but OR-Jack’s bitch was too big and the size difference took its toll. By the 40 min mark La Dentista started to get ahead, finding her spot and working the throat hard, but the size difference kept OR-Jack’s bitch alive and going. By the 50 min it was all La Dentista, punishing the face and mouth and trying to get deep in her spot. It was all downhill for OR-Jack by that point. La Dentista on the throat killing and OR-Jack with no chance. At 1:10 min La Dentista with another finish to her record, making her La Dentista 2XW. By this time La Dentista had made some noise around the world and they wanted to stop me short. I made her weight open once again and got the challenge from Elite Gamedogs Kennels, they had just imported a 2XW from the USA for this special occasion. I got together with this crew and agreed to terms, FF’s were place and the match was on. This 2XW was tailored to stop La Dentista from making champion. This was an incentive to me and perfect for my goals. I would like to say that Elite Gamedogs is a very good crew, with honor and character. It was a pleasure going into this camp. Our negotiations went smooth and with much respect throughout. These guys are a true gentlemen’s camp and have my recommendation. At the scales both bitches right on weight at 42lbs. Elite’s bitch in real good shape. A white with brown patches bitch that was built like a male and had won 2 in short order. Revo the man in the middle. La Dentista on the face from the release, punishing hard around the eyes, Elite’s pushing forward but La Dentista with a deep face hold. By 15 min La Dentista had inflicted too much damage in the face and mouth area, Elite fading down. By the 20 min mark La Dentista on the throat killing a down dog, Elite pick up at 24 min to save a game bitch. We were awarded the BIS in this convention and making CH La Dentista 3XW 1XBIS.
By this point we had accomplished what very few dogmen has. CH La Dentista’s campaign was impeccable; all 3 opponents were winners and we did it while traveling to other countries, plus earning a BIS. CH La Dentista had begun to feel the exertion of 3 consecutive matches and being put through five keeps back to back. I was hooked twice before her first match but both times we ran into mutual problems and could not go forward. Fice keeps plus three shows with high caliber animals will take a toll. She had a broken knee cap (right back leg) that would go out of place and would make her limp. We still found ways to put her through a keep regardless of injury. I made some phone calls looking for a winning bitch that came from a good camp. I finally got the call I was waiting for. After some negotiations I got hooked into El Doc of S.I. Kennels and D’Crijal Kennels. I was doing 2 dogs into this combined. Males at 46lbs and females at 42lbs. The Mexican male was a champion and the female a 2XW. I will leave the story of the male for another time, but I will say that I also won into this champion. Both bitches right on weight at 42lbs. The man in the middle was Atila from EGDK. Bitches meet in the middle at release, the Mexican bitch very smart working the ear and keeping CH La Dentista away. It took us only a few minutes to figure her out, La Dentista in the face and jaw, punishing hard inside the mouth. La Dentista controlling and punishing, at around 10 min La Dentista on the throat pushing down, the Mexican bitch attempts to jump the pit but was brought back by La Dentista, by this time La Dentista on a stretched out bitch and working the throat real deep, RIP by 15 min. This International Show made CH La Dentistaa 4XW 1XBIS. This was also her shortest match at only 15 minutes. So far we have done the impossible. All International Conventions, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, USA, Mexico
and all into winners, an impeccable campaign.

LA DENTISTA
LA DENTISTA
This was it, I was eager to finish her campaign, I didn’t want to waste any more time, but at the same token I wanted to only go into the best for number 5. At this point I knew I had to travel again. I didn’t want to cut any corners. I wanted to finish up her campaign like no other. I didn’t want to take the easy route, do her locally and win GR CH. That was never my goal nor would I ever do that. I love the challenge, love the almost impossible. If I win I win big, if I lose I lose with honor. That was the goal from the start and I wasn’t going to change that no matter what. So I waited. After a few weeks I finally got the word I was waiting for. A huge and very important International Convention was brewing in the South. So I said to myself, this is it, this is perfect.
I contacted the organizer and gave him my weights. A few weeks went by with no takers. It was beginning to look like no one would take her weight. Then one day Chico contacted me, negotiations were quick and smooth. Things are simple when you are dealing with men of honor and character. We were hooked, hooked for the biggest and most important convention ever put together, The World Finals. We were the last match of the show and this was the most awaited match of the convention. Both females right on weight at the scales, 42lbs. Chico using CH Siega BIS. Siega, a red bitch in great shape. This bitch was solid, hard as a rock, shorter than CH Dentista but stronger than any dog (male or female) I seen, literally. Mr. Tarraco the man in the middle. Both bitches meet in the middle with a loud thud. CH Siega on Dentista’s chest and pushing forward with unbelievable power, La Dentista trying to weather the storm working the face, several minutes go by until finally La Dentista gets free and begins to work the face harder than she ever has before. She goes deep in the face causing great damage, bleeders popping all over Siega’s face. La Dentista still controlling and punishing hard but Ch Siega was too strong, Siega kept pushing forward with unbelievable power. Siega gets free and pushes La Dentista down and goes deep in her chest, you could hear bones crushing, Siega’s mouth was a 10. She continues to work the chest to a down Dentista. La Dentista trying to get free working the face and mouth, teeth breaking lose and flying out from both animals,La Dentista sporadically was able to control de face but Siega’s power and strength proved to be too much. Siega keeps working the chest and shoulders. La Dentista with no front end. Siega’s damage to the face was extreme, one eye left on her face but continues with relentless power. La Dentista almost dead by 30 minutes. Her chest was totally destroyed and broken, Siega deep in the chest to Dentista’s heart. A handle is made at 32 minutes, La Dentista to scratch. La Dentista in the corner unable to stand, I revived her long enough for her to make eye contact. She comes out tumbling down, chest on the carpet and straight through to make contact and take a bite. You had to be there to appreciate the meaning of gameness!
Siega back in the chest at 35 and I pick up an almost dead La Dentista. I asked for a courtesy scratch which was conceded. La Dentista in the corner with no life left, I again worked on her to bring her back, and she does what no one could believe, completed a dead game scratch. La Dentista lost, but in reality I won so much more. She proved not only to be a beast in the pit but a real dead game bulldog. She was unanimously voted and awarded the GIS trophy (out of 14 matches) and received a standing ovation from the most respected dogmen around the world.
What more can I ask from an animal of such caliber. I don’t regret anything I did. She had an unbelievable campaign, we competed against the best in the world. We went into Dominican Republic, Ecuador, USA, Mexico and Brazil. She started out at 22 months old and was done before she was 4 years old. No dog ever scratched back to her but CH Siega. We accomplished all this in less than 2 years. An animal of this caliber deserved no less. I know in my heart that if she had a choice I’m sure she would chose to go out exactly as she did, proving to the world what an amazing animal she was. I would like to thank Chico. We were opponents for only 35 minutes but we will stay friends always. He outdid himself trying to help me save La Dentista. He proved to be an excellent host and better friend. I would also like to mention and thank my wife Julia. Without her nothing would be possible. She is my everything and the real back bone of Imperios Kennels. Julia is the real deal, a true dog woman in every sense of the word. CH Imperios Kennel’s La Dentista 4XW-1XLDG (1XBIS-1XGIS) I will never forget you baby. You are deeply engraved in
our hearts. You taught me courage and selfishness. I will see you again someday my baby girl.


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GR CH BUCK



As a pup Buck was sold by Pat Patrick to a physician. He proved to be an unsatisfactory pet and was sold to the late Alan Waldman who matched and won two with Buck in the low 50’s. One over Aldo’s Zeke, who later became a Champion, and the other over Winchester’s Conan. STP purchased Buck from Alan Waldman when Buck just turned 2 years old and campaigned him at his correct weight, 46 lbs. As soon as STP started to work Buck they saw he had incredible stamina. In STP’s hands, Buck demolished all of his competition, which included some highly regarded match dogs. Buck did not dazzle fanciers with ten-minute wins, but he had virtually no weakness as a match dog and always dominated his opponent, no matter what style. Buck’s first match, with STP, was into Tito’s Tonka, which was no match for Buck as Tonka stopped in less than :30 minutes. His next was against Captain America’s Jumbo Jim. Jumbo Jim was a double bred Gr. Ch. Hank dog, and was hand picked to defeat Buck. Jumbo made an incredible scratch at 1:30, but by 1:57 he collapsed in his corner unable to go. In Buck’s 5th he went into Rodney’s two time winner JR, littermate to Gr. Ch. Yellow ROM. JR was handled at :52 minutes and could not go any further. Jr. later went on to win three more. For Buck’s 6th match was against P. & H.’s Rocky, a rough son of Ch. Jeep and Gr. Ch. Miss Rage. Rocky was picked up in a little over an hour. Rocky went on to win his championship after another loss to Super Gnat’s Gr. Ch. Ace. At this point Buck was retired as a 6 time winner and not yet 4 years old. I was conditioning Super Gnat’s Gr.Ch. Ace for his 4th match, into P. & H.’s Rocky, when I received a call from STP. He explained that after 2 years of retirement, his Gr.Ch. Buck was contracted into Ricky Jones and Gr.Ch. Sandman, at 48 lbs. Both dogs were exceptionally seasoned match dogs with similar styles and STP predicted that the match would be a long one. This was the first time in history that two registered Grand Champions were to meet. Rebel Kennels Gr.Ch. Sandman was bred and raised by Ricky Jones from a Rascal / Jeep and Boomerang cross. Word had it that Ricky was able to take some of the unwanted dogs from some very good dogmen, and by sheer determination and good sense Ricky had bred bulldogs that could compete and win over the best in the country. Some of the best match dogs, at any weight, were either owned by Rebel Kennels, or were matched into Rebel Kennels.
GrCh Buck at 1 Year
There were about 25 fanciers waiting for the match to start. My friend Peter from Holland was betting on Sandman, while I was betting on Buck. This was the first time we were not on the same side of the betting. The dogs were released and Sandman shot over like a rocket and got a good hold. When Sandman got to the stifle, Buck slowly and deliberately got him out. Ricky got all excited and said that Bucks stifle was broken. For the first 20 minutes Sandman was all over Buck, but then Buck started to dominate the action. Buck was a little stronger and had a little heavier mouth. He was taking the match to Sandman, but neither could get much of a lead over the other. Both dogs could hardly be held in their corner as they rocketed across on their scratches. About an hour and a half into the match Sandman got a good hold on Buck’s neck. As Buck tried to twist out of this hold, Sandman held on and a stalemate ensued. Sandman would not release his hold and Buck could not get free, so the two Grand Champions were locked motionless and time dragged on. It seemed that both dogs were asleep. Buck started to vocalize his frustration at being unable to move. Ricky became even more excited, interpreting the noise as a sign of Buck wanting to quit. Nothing could be further from the truth as Buck finally extricated from the hold and resumed his dominance over Sandman. Ricky not only began to denigrate Buck but also STP. At one point he said that he was going to kick Buck’s ribs in because he was such a cur. I encouraged him to go ahead and do it since the foul would leave Buck the winner. I think that Ricky began to realize that Buck was going to beat his Sandman dog and this was his way of dealing with that possibility. No matter how many times and how many ways Ricky verbally abused Buck and STP he never let it bother him. STP stayed with his dog and ignored all the outside shenanigans. STP gave fanciers a good demonstration of coolness and decisiveness in a tough situation. This was an even match until at the end when Sandman began to falter and it was clear that Buck was going to win. At three hours and 17 minutes, after 3 more scratches Sandman took the count. Buck’s courtesy scratch, was a running one and he slammed into Sandman. We hustled Buck into a nearby shed and I started an intravenous line. Buck received 10 cc’s of Azium in about 800 mls of Ringers before he ripped the line out of his leg. In an adjacent shed, Ricky worked in an effort to save Sandman. I was told that he gave Sandman an injection of Epinephrine, which is often used by human rescue personnel. The shot of “Epi” as it is known to the members of the rescue squad, killed Sandman immediately. Buck would not be still so I stopped the IV, which had leaked into the surrounding tissue. Buck stayed at my house for two weeks after the match, recovering from his ordeal. At 5:00 AM every morning, Buck would start his scream / howl, which echoed throughout the house. When I walked him outside, Buck would try to lunge at the other dogs in my yard, even though he could hardly stand up. It was obvious that his spirit had not been broken in spite of the lengthy battle with Sandman. Once recovered Buck went back to STP’s and the old warrior lived the good life, breeding bitches and eating good food until he died.

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BABUSHERA KNL'S BLACK DUMBO

https://pedigree.gamedogs.cz/details.php?id=264424

HANDLER AND TRAINING DAGGERS KNL'S

1xW for 40 Min. VS D.D'S TETE 1xW O.T.C

HANDLER AND TRAINING BABUSERA KNL’S

2xW 1hr. VS ALTYN KENNEL’S ANTONIO MONTANA R.I.P.

3xW form chain 1hr 06 min. VS VALHALLA'S GR CH MAD MAX 5xW D.O.Y

D.O.Y B.I.S in GEO Version Game Fight 2018!!

handler and training babushera knl
ch dumbo 3xw in 26 min vs avlokhashvili's benny(gocha)

 

CAROLINA KENNELS CH TERMITE ROM





Carolina Kennels Ch Termite ROM
In the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, Fletcher Chavis bred some dogs that and Dogman would be proud to own. Much of his original stock was from that grand old dog, CH Yellow John ROM. For years Mr. Chavis campaigned with that inbred Red Boy dog that he had gotten from R.T. Bass, he was rated one of the best. During the mid 1970’s and outstanding discovery was made. Vernon Jackson had a dog that he had gotten from Don Mayfield that he called Hank, inbred from Mayfield’s Lightning II blood. Hank never started until he was three years old, but when he did, he not only turned out to be a phenomenal performer, but an excellent producer as well. He was bred to a bitch of Bob
Rast’s called Queenie and from that litter came Jocko, Argo, Pearl, Apple and a few others good ones. Mr. Chavis ended up with Jocko and that was the beginning of the famous Red Boy/Jocko bloodline. Mr. Chavis campaigned with Jocko and he looked to be unbeatable due to the inherited trait of Hank’s back end style. Jocko became a Champion and was retired to stud. Jocko was bred to his sister Apple and several inbred bitches that he sired. These bitches were bred to Yellow John, a triple inbred son of Tramp’s Red Boy, and that was the beginning of Jocko’s fame as a producer. Out of these breeding came Tant’s GR CH Yellow ROM, Gainey’s GR CH JR, Chavis’ Roho, STP’s GR CH John Boy and his littermate brother CH Toro, along with Super Gnat’s dead game Boots and a host of others. However, there is another side of this story that few people know about. Mr. Chavis had bred a bitch by the name of Lady Sassy Mead. She was half Red Boy and half Lonzo’s breeding. He bred Lady Sassy Mead to CH Jocko and created a whole new strain of dogs. In that litter came Dangerous Dan, Thor, Margaret T and Rose. Rose was the Great Dam of those Grand Champions Yellow and JR. However, these dogs were black in color and were thought to not be up to the standards of the original stock and were sold as pets.
During my travels through the south I purchased a son of Dangerous Dan and a friend of mine purchased a male and a female. The male I purchased was called Termite. My first show with Termite was in 1983 with Hargroves. I came in over weight and had to pay the forfeit. Later on in that year I signed up to go into Tant. I was declared the winner at: 38. Next, Termite won over Jacky S. at :20 and I was ready for Termite’s Championship match. Crenshaw and Tugboat had won several matches and both had outstanding reputations. I couldn’t resist the opportunity of going into the best. Tugboat lived up to his reputation for the first thirty minutes, then those Jocko traits started kicking in and Termite was the winner at :58. Well, by this time I was satisfied with his performance and was considering his retirement, but again I couldn’t resist another challenge. This time it was the grand old man himself, Fletcher Chavis. We couldn’t agree on the terms of a contract so Mr. Chavis sold the dog to Rastaman and said that Big Joe had the perfect style to beat Termite. Rastaman’s Big Joe put on a great show, but at 1:17 Termite won his fourth. Termite was retired after that and was put out to stud. He has produced some very good dogs; among the best is GR CH Cirus. Cirus had won five, including beating Solo’s CH Thunder and there will be more to come. Termite died in November of 1995. Carolina Kennels

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GR CH STROTHER'S LUTHER (7XW)
VOTED DOG OF THE YEAR IN 1985 APBA







7xwinner Luther all kills the longest 43 minutes. Believe what I say Zebo would have been a dead if he we into Luther not saying Zebo wasn’t a great dog Luther kill your dog on defense you couldn’t get around his mouth Nonnie had one of the best head dogs alive Luther caught up to him at 35 minutes 43 minutes he was Dead the dog was a freak with mouth flat out could Shut it sports fans and critics, i present to you for your inspection, super grand champion luther.he was born august 27, 1980. sired by thornton's old george and out of leroux black girl.there was another noteworthy dog born in that same litter--burrough's champion dolomite. dolomite won his championship papers befor the age of two. luther however, started a little slower, but by the age of four,he laid his claim to be one of the best. no dog has ever stayed with him longer then 44 minutes. his first fight was april 16, 1983 against j.d.'s cyclone a double bred kingfish dog). he fought the head well for twenty two minutes luther was fanged for 31 minutes . the fight was over in 37 minutes no scratches at al. july 11 1983 against nonnie and d.c.'s brutus. brutus is out of hank and sunday .brutus was a 1x winner . he rides the ear holding luther out for 30 minutes. luther gets to his chest. the fight is over in 43 minutes. brutus gave all until the end .he made 4 scratches .luther made 5. the next fight was c.j's brindle, september 10 1983. no contest at all luther kills him in six minutes. the second death in a row. january 28 1984 , luther is now a champion . international flavor was added from canada with ziggy,s e.z. e.z. is from hersh of alabama for 31 minutes , e.z. looks like luther in the way he works the chest. luther removes e.z. from his chest by putting a hole, finger length deep, through his head. e.z. made one scratch and luther made two. e.z. becomes the third killed in a row. this fight was important because with it came the beginning of the a-team. luther was now open to the world. we then headed south to+++++. on july 2, 1984 luther went up against b. holland's charlie. charlie is a 1x winner and a reported ace. he is out of crenshaw breeding. 31 minutes was all luther. charlie made one scratch. charlie becomes the fourth killed in a row, and luther is now a grand champion . luther goes south to take on hall's mushson. it was an honor for me to in the presence of such a great man as mr. hall i shook the entire fight but thank goodness, luther didn't. in 28 minutes, luther stood alone. mushson made one scratch, luther made two mushson becomes number five killed. luther has won six , but the rumors prevail that melvin is the best 36 pounder. melvin is a 2x winner. he has beaten anderson,s shawn, a 4x winner. on may 11, 1985, luther and melvin get together. in 8 minutes, most knowledgeable people at pitside said the fight was over but in 38 minutes luther made two scratches, melvin one melvin to date, is still alive, breaking luther,
's string of five in a row . luther is now a super grand champion . i would like to take this time to announce his retirement. he is now open to stud service i would also like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the a-team, the captain and all the people who hosted the matches, and for their hospitality. i would not have been able to achieve what i have in in four year without the help of others mr. b.

 

BLACKROCKS KENNELS GR CH SAM JR (6xW)...





We got a call from our friends Loony tunes and Rumble from chi-town to breed to their Ella bitch from Killian and a bitch out of Ch Diablo Negro and Gr Ch Tina, 6 days out from our championship with our Sam 2xw son off of Machobuck which was going into Lefonze, we were hesitant but said if something happens we need the blood so we bred our Sam dog 3 days out one day before heading to Fl from H-town. As life would have it we won with a broken jaw, with one of the toughest jeep red boy dogs in the world and in first class shape, Sam’s jack hammer mouth saved us and definitively showed way gamer than we imagined. We forgot about the breeding and 15 months later after relocation abroad we spoke to our friends and they said “come get a pair of pups”, we picked Sam jr and Samantha.
Sam a brown and white Andy cap clone and Samantha a black bitch with white chest! We took Sam jr to Mr C’s ranch and tried starting him up and all he would do is bite the muzzle from the bottom but would not pop to the top against a bigger Chinaman dog 2xw so after ten minutes we took him off our dog and Surprisingly he bulleted across yet just took bottom and tortured the muzzle! We rolled some others and Sam raised hell! After the other rolls we went to healing up Sam and saw there was nothing wrong with him but the other dog’s muzzle was in pieces! We sat on him a month then got a call from our friends at DNK apparently they had been paid a forfeit 4 weeks into keep and wanted to do a show at 42 so called up for a dog for four weeks, we knew what time it was but said we cant get a better roll than 1500 to see if our dog is worth a shit plus Sam works like a horse, so we agreed that if Sam did not crank up there would be no match and were set for 4 weeks! They show up and are both on weight , On release Sam stays in corner and gets plummeted and dog goes and immediately breaks our shoulder but Sam pops up after abut 4 minutes and goes to eat the muzzle, We scratch our head when Sam starts dancing on the muzzle like a pro, then real fancy on the ear and never lets the dog touch him all the while taking shots at his throat the second he gives it up, at 20 DNK’s Sancho has no muzzle left and then we go deep, deep in the high kidneys, I said look at this little shit! Sancho made some amazing scratches but does not get picked up early enough and really got aced. Sam is so smart, too fast, and only hits the throat and high kidneys but does not let you touch him from muzzle and ears!! DNK can’t go at 55 Sam Jr. is a 1xw, We hook Sam for Mexico City against Destroyer Kennels but come in less than a 1/4 pound over and use Lil Crazy ass substitute coming off a win in Morelia two weeks prior and win in 25! Sam stays in training for Mexico city 6 weeks later for CH Diablo, We arrive in Queretaro for the 18 dog card on Saturday and take BIS with our now 2xw Zorro dog and then head 3 hours to Mexico City to show Sam into Diablo.
BLACKROCKS KENNELS SAM JR
BLACKROCKS KENNELS SAM JR
We are on weight and although a 35 hematocrit I decide to go for it and Diablo never gets his guns out of his holster and is choked out in his corner in less than 22 minutes and is picked up , I was really lucky he came out like he did , I guess he figured he had no recuperation and had to take care of it quickly as I am sure he would have lost if it went long as I had a bad blood count! Baja convention in TJ is only 6 weeks away so I decide to go into Ch Paqiao! A friend comes over to my ranch from TJ and notices all my dogs have stomachs like they are pregnant and I now realize why I am struggling with weight the mystery remains until 4th keep I realize Mexican water toxicity is just not potable for humans or dogs! Not knowing this I come half pound over and so does Ch Paquiao, Dogs meet in middle and Paqiao get Ace job, Sam stays fancy on ears and when Paquiao gets tired we fight for dear life in throat Sam has a great finish and Paqiao is half dead and half frustrated as he can not get in hold he stands at 1:05! Ch Sam is declared CH in TJ! Mexican convention is only 8 weeks out so I hook him for Mexico City and like Joe Dirt says keep on keeping on. We hook into CH Chato, as I am walking Sam out I see a 50 pound dog and I ask when he’s showing and he says he’s next. I say what do you mean what weight? He says 44 pounds! I look at my partner and tell him its going to be a long day! On release Sam gets slammed in air and into pit walls, he is literally getting man handled by a bigger stronger dog. But the entire time he is chewing on the muzzle, little by little Sam comes to the top on the ears and holds him out. Then Sam takes his shots at the throat at about 39 and then controls the lead picking his spots and staying out of trouble, Chato slows down at about hour mark and Sam goes for dear life in throat at 1:20 it is clearly evident that we are going to win and Chato is going to die so they pick up. Making Ch Sam 4xw, for the first time Sam took some heavy damage from a hard mouth, smart, big ass dog, but he wins on gameness and intelligence and incredible finish! Enrique calls week later and says a 24 dog card in Mexico City and that Chavez club is asking specifically for Ch Sam so I say lets do it! We are 7th show on 16 show card! Sam is two weeks out and feeling great, get blood work and am 44 points htc and all green.
Sunday I rest him up and see his eyes are white and gums are pale. I go Monday to get pac cell and manual test says 28…. SHIT not a chance this will work and now I am screwed, I go to top vet in city and get complete blood work and am at 26 means I need a blood transfusion. I find a donor dog and get 450 litters in 12 hour transfusion the Wednesday before and rest him up and jump in car for 13 hour drive on Friday night! We arrive in the 4000 meter above sea level and with no hemoglobin or red blood cells, I think pay forfeit but here it’s half the bet so I can’t afford it! Chavez club weight Russo 1xw and shit if it isn’t a BIG ass dog again, Weights 43.4 and I am light, Sam is a real 42.5! Only bad water had me heavy now at scales I am hair under 43 with bottled water keep! Sam comes out fancy on the ear and literally does not let Russo get a single bite going from muzzle to ear to throat! Sam has a great style, comes up fancy on the ear, and dances avoiding mouth, then flips them on their back and hits kidneys and throat, a real ace of a dog with a good mouth! At 20 Russo fades and at 22 Sam is finishing deep in throat and Chavez club concedes match making Sam jr. Gr Ch. in 22 minutes at the young age or 2 years and 10 months one month behind grandfather Machobuck! We are proud of our Andy Capp clone he has come along way and his sister has won in 22 and are looking forward to her championship!! Blackrock’s Grand Champion Sam Jr. what happened to Sam Jr. in China Atown sold Sam Jr for 20k to China..he was sick (not sure if babesia) so they couldnt do him it was also a fact that he was sterile so there is really nothing they could have done w him. So guy was rich didnt sweat it..had a convention and served Sam up at a private event night before conv. Gr Ch Sam Jr.. Head on a platter in the center of the table fully cooked and elegantly served with severed head for presentation..classic The owner in China was hosting a dinner night and something went wrong with the food service, at the time Sam Jr was old and was missing many breedings so they culled and ate him smfh it's 10000% true This was told to me by someone who was there and saw it w his own eyes. He has a pic of it and he was gonna send it. I hear that an avg yard in China is close to 500 dogs..the guys w more money up to 1000. They look at dogs the way we look at chickens..and thus eating one is "no big deal"..

 

Blackrock's Ch Zorro 3XW BIS





C’mon Zorro!! C’mon ya bastard!! was heard among the public in the pit during his third battle from which he would come out victorious and would make him a Champion, as well as making a mark by becoming a Ch in only 5 months, yes you heard right 5 months.It all started wen Zorro was bought by Roger Diaz from Tom Garner, never imagining that in his hands was what would later become a locomotive in the pit. At that time, “Roger” decided to get some kennels in the city of Piedras Negras, Coahulia, Mexico where he was under the charge of Javier, better known as “the Mute” among his friends..

One day Jose (Joyero) decided to buy a dog and for that he commented to Javier his desire and Javier commented this fact to Roger who sent instructions to tell him which dogs could be sold since they were the ones that he liked least.
Upon returning to Roger’s yard, Javier shows him 3 males and 2 females. Seeing them the one that caught the attention of Jose was the one with a black neck, known today as Zorro, because it was the first time he had ever worn a collar or been on chain and he felt like a fish out of water. The dog was very shy having never been outside for even a walk.
Arriving at Jose’s house he didn’t doubt in “measuring” le level of Zorro immediately and what better dog for that than Vale 2xw, in spite of the fact that Vale was a smaller dog he was used in the roll since he was a dog that was unforgiving. Upon releasing the dogs Vale due to his experience bit deep into Zorro who did not hesitate to respond in like manner to Vale. Minutes later you could hear Vale’s bones crunching under Zorro’s teeth which stopped the roll, each making their respective scratches like arrows toward their opponent.
Checking Zorro it was noticed that he was missing two fangs, top and bottom, on the same side and at the time Jose feels his hopes of matching Zorro disapear. After that situation they decide to take him to another yard where his opponent “Gitano” had a 2 lbs. advantage over Zorro. Being weighed Gitano looked like a monster while Zorro just sat silently watching. After only 9 minutes into the roll Gitano lost his taste for battle having ended up in pieces in the middle of the pit with both his shoulders broken. Jose upon seeing this was impacted and 3 minutes later the roll ended with Gitano practically in pieces who would die the next day from the wounds inflicted on him by this locomotive.
Seeing how Zorro responded to the rolls, Jose uses him as a stud for some time and is kept on chain. Some months later some friends were looking to test a dog named Kaliman so Jose decides to once again use Zorro and what a surprise, this time all it took was 6 minutes to make pieces of Kaliman who ceased to exist 2 days after that roll.
Zorro was sent to Nueva Rosita, Coahuilia with Vicky, a friend of Jose’s where he spent the next 2 months. Upon his return Jose only thought of rolling him since he thought that because of his lack of 2 cutters he would only be good for rolls without realizing that the dog was screaming at the 4 winds to be in a show.
At that time Isaac, a family member of Jose commented about a dog named Comino who was open at 22 kg. when Zorro weighed 19 kg. so they decide to roll Zorro a third time and that was when Zorro received an almost mortal attack by Comino who concentrated his attacks on the nose of his opponents. This time it was Comino who left his marks on Zorro’s face and chest but that didn’t stop Zorro from also inflicting a lot of damage to Comino’s shoulders who took a number of months to recover from that roll. At the end it was Zorro who was left with the worst part of the roll but even still he ran his scratches even as he was passing out. When he was put into his kennel after the roll Zorro would not stop biting at the metal door or barking due to his frustration of not being able to finish his battle.
Upon seeing Zorro’s face Jose tells Isaac to take him out of his kennel and stitch up his face since it was his idea to roll him. The next day Jose tells his cousin Isaac that he should put Zorro to sleep since he was in very bad shape after that roll, which surprised Isaac a lot and he didn’t pay any attention to what was told to him.
In his yard Jose has a new acquisition named Stu Fowler who came with a letter of presentation as being a “killer” but to satisfy his curiosity of what Zorro could do they decide to roll them and in just 4 minutes Stu Fowler was trying to show his gameness but could not even stand on his legs. That day Jose understood that what he had in his patio was an animal that could write his own history in the shows. In this way everyone always questioned Jose about how he could have a stud dog that had never even been matched, which bothered Jose a lot.
After a lot of insistance Jose decides to hook into Mr. Raul Garza of Saltillo, Coahuila, which would take place in Monterrey with a weight of 19.5 kg. Jose was conscious of the fact that it would only be a match to show that Zorro was worthy of being bred.
20 minutes was all that Zorro with his missing cutters gave to Mr. Garza’s dog, breaking both his shoulders and ending up in his kidneys. The other dog showed deep gameness trying to scratch and dragging himself forward about 3 feet. Around 30 min. after the match that game dog ceased to exist.
The next day back in his yard Jose bred Zorro without any luck. 4 days later he receives a call from Alfred of Evolution Kennels comenting that he had hooked a dog for a match but that the dog had gotten sick and would not be at his best for that show. Jose tells Alfred to get Zorro ready since the weight he had hooked was right on Zorro’s weight. Zorro arrived in great condition for that show in which he would face Zapato 2xw of Cuajimalpa Kennels, who had made a name for himself as a destroyer who concentrated on the face of his opponents.
When the dogs were released, Zapato who had very high ability bit Zorro on the nose and at that moment Jose didn’t know what to do since Zorro was known to go down below a lot. At that moment Zorro changes his style and manages to get a hold of Zapato by the nose also and throws him down taking advantage of his position to go into Zapato’s throat and give him a shaking that started Zapato’s loss. After that hold Zorro was the boss of the pit, in the nose, the chest, the styfles even on the ear, Zorro was mopping the pit with with the dog, which led him to win the trophy for Best in Show out of a 28 card show that took place.
Back in Piedras Negras after 10 days of well deserved rest another match was made for Zorro, this time it would be in Laredo. In that keep Zorro suffered a number of set backs and with only 3 weeks to go before his show he is bitten by a snake which consequently inflamed his chest and shoulder.
Antibiotics and vitamins was the order of the day to try and fight off the snake bite Zorro had received. On the day of the match there were some small scars and after effects which made Jose think about paying forfeit but his dedication to a comitment and his pasion for seeing Zorro match overcame any doubts. As was expected during the match Zorro’s temperature was increasing fast but some good work in the corner between scratches refreshing him and bringing his temperature down was done. The other dog had an incredible temperament as well as being a very hard nose dog, he was also smart because he controled that match and would get in hard into the shoulders every time he found an opening. Something curious about this encounter was that Zorro’s opponent during the match in a moment of carelesness bit Jose. After that bite Jose had received Zorro took charge of destroying that dog in the pit so that after 38 minutes the dog stood the line and 30 minutes later he ceased to exist.
Currently Jose Moreno “Joyero” and Ch Zorro can be found in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico. Zorro is enjoying a well deserved life as a stud dog. He was baptised with the name Zorro because of his mask that looked like the mask that the Zorro used in the movie. The kennel is known as Joyeros Kennels and today has fused with Alfred of Evolution Kennels to form Blackrocks Kennels.
As a side note the nickname of Joyero (Jeweler) was given because of Jose’s fathers profession as a buyer and seller of jewelry.
What will remain a mystery now is what would have happened if Zorro had his 4 cutters and not only 2 with which he made his carreer.
With great pride Jose comments that all the work that was done with Zorro as well as all the other dogs he dedicates to his father and to his sister Maria Fernanda Moreno Hernandez, “la nana” as she was known among the family, may they rest in peace.

 

Ricky Jones Snitching Paper Work. U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit - 933 F.2d 362 (6th Cir. 1991)
Argued March 18, 1991. Decided May 9, 1991
John W. Gill, Jr., U.S. Atty., Office of the U.S. Atty. Knoxville, Tenn., Steven H. Cook, Asst. U.S. Atty. (argued), Office of the U.S. Atty., Chattanooga, Tenn., for plaintiff-appellee.
Howard Sohn, Miami, Fla., for defendant-appellant Isidro Moreno.
Tim S. Moore, Newport, Tenn., for defendant-appellant Paul R. Morris.
Before KEITH and MARTIN, Circuit Judges, and CONTIE, Senior Circuit Judge.
KEITH, Circuit Judge.
Isidro Moreno ("Moreno") and Paul Morris ("Morris") (collectively "defendants") appeal from their respective June 4, 1989, and June 12, 1989, judgment and commitment orders. A jury found defendants guilty on multiple drug-trafficking counts. Defendants raise numerous issues on appeal. For the reasons set forth below, we AFFIRM their convictions and sentences.I.
Ricky Joe Jones ("Jones") moved from Ft. Pierce, Florida, to Bledsoe County, Tennessee, in early 1989. In August 1989, Duane Smith ("Smith"), a resident of Ft. Pierce, contacted Jones. Smith informed Jones that he wanted to introduce Jones to a supplier who could regularly provide cocaine. Jones agreed to meet the supplier. Shortly thereafter, Smith and Miguel Moreno met Jones in Bledsoe County. Miguel Moreno indicated that he was a middle man for his brother, Isidro Moreno. Miguel Moreno made arrangements for future cocaine transactions. They agreed that he would provide cocaine for $19,000 per kilogram, including a $1,000 per kilogram commission for Smith. Jones paid for a portion of the cocaine and agreed to pay the remainder of money owed after distributing the cocaine. After the meeting, Miguel Moreno supplied Jones with four kilograms of cocaine that he had transported in his pickup truck between the wall of the truck bed and a bed liner.
In mid-September 1989, approximately two weeks after the initial meeting, Miguel Moreno returned to Jones' farm, collected the proceeds from the distribution of four kilograms of cocaine and delivered five kilograms of cocaine which had been hidden and transported in the same manner as the previous load. The same payment arrangement was made--Miguel Moreno received partial payment for the cocaine delivered and the remaining amount owed would be paid after distribution. At this time, Miguel Moreno agreed to distribute larger quantities of cocaine through Jones.
In late November, Isidro Moreno personally delivered a shipment of twenty-five kilograms of cocaine. While at Jones' farm, Isidro Moreno inquired about the availability of land in the area. Jones informed Isidro Moreno that ninety-five acres adjoining his farm were for sale for $40,000. Isidro Moreno inspected the land and directed Jones to make arrangements for the purchase of the property. He also instructed Jones to set aside $40,000 from the sale of the twenty-five kilograms of cocaine to purchase the property. Isidro Moreno also purchased a pickup truck for Smith from Jones. The truck constituted partial payment for Smith's participation in the drug trafficking scheme. Isidro Moreno instructed Jones to retain approximately $9,000 in proceeds as payment for the truck.
Approximately two weeks later, Isidro Moreno returned to the property to collect a portion of the proceeds from the earlier twenty-five kilogram shipment. Isidro Moreno and Smith returned a few weeks later to collect the remainder of proceeds from the twenty-five kilogram distribution. At this time, Isidro Moreno delivered another eight kilograms of cocaine at $21,000 per kilogram. In early December, Isidro Moreno and his wife traveled to Tennessee and purchased the property with the $40,000 that Jones had set aside.
Jones redistributed the Morenos' cocaine through several dealers. Morris was an active dealer in Newport, Tennessee and in Indiana. Morris obtained and distributed between five and ten kilograms of cocaine.
On December 5, 1989, an undercover agent of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation ("TBI") met Jones and negotiated the purchase of one kilogram of cocaine for $24,000 cash from Jones. Shortly thereafter, Jones was arrested by agents of the TBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration ("DEA"). At the time of his arrest, Jones owed the Morenos approximately $168,000.
After learning of Jones' arrest, Isidro and Miguel Moreno met Smith and insisted that he assist them in collecting the $168,000 Jones owed. At this point, Smith was no longer participating in the drug trafficking scheme or receiving a commission on each kilogram the Morenos supplied Jones. After Miguel Moreno threatened to harm Smith and his family, Smith agreed to cooperate with the Morenos.
Meanwhile, unknown to Smith or the Morenos, Jones, who had remained in federal custody, agreed to cooperate with law enforcement officers. In tape recorded telephone calls, Jones spoke with Isidro Moreno and Smith and arranged a meeting to pay the $168,000 owed for the eight-kilogram shipment. Smith and Isidro Moreno met Jones who was wearing a hidden transmitter which permitted law enforcement agents to listen and record the conversation. Smith, Isidro Moreno and Jones discussed the debt and negotiated for future sales of cocaine. Smith and Isidro Moreno were arrested immediately.
After arresting Isidro Moreno, agents seized and searched his pickup truck. They removed the bed liner from the pickup and discovered velcro straps lining the inside of the bed and four storage compartments which had been cut in the walls of the bed.
Jones was also cooperating with investigators who were trying to develop evidence against his distributors. Beginning on December 18, 1989, Jones placed calls to his distributors, including Morris in Newport, Tennessee. These telephone calls were monitored and tape recorded by agents. Morris negotiated a one-kilogram deal with Jones for $19,500. Jones and Morris arranged a meeting at a hotel in Athens, Tennessee. Also during these conversations, Morris expressed his concern about surveillance by citizens cooperating with law enforcement officers. Morris, who has felony convictions dating back to 1961, stated:
They, they paid some people that lived across the way from me one time, ... paid their rent for trying to watch me, I'd look over there and they'd be looking in field glasses be looking at me. I got me a rifle with a high powered scope and [every] time they'd be looking over at me, I be looking at them.
Government Exhibit 20C, Transcript of Meeting and Conversation Between Paul Morris and Ricky Jones. Morris also discussed his use of his truck for hauling cocaine. At the conclusion of the meeting, Morris gave Jones $19,500 in cash for the cocaine. Law enforcement officers arrested Morris immediately thereafter. In a search of Morris conducted pursuant to his arrest, law enforcement officers discovered a small quantity of cocaine and $3,600 in cash. A search of Morris' truck produced a box of nine millimeter semi-automatic pistol ammunition, a police radio frequency book and a book entitled Gun Traders' Guide. The book explains trading values and wholesale and retail prices for firearms, including handguns, shotguns, high-powered rifles and other weapons.
At the December 27, 1990, bond hearing for Morris, Moreno and Smith, Morris' wife testified that there were firearms and triple beam scales in their Newport, Tennessee, residence. Based on this and other information, agents from the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Bureau obtained and executed a search warrant for Morris' residence. Agents discovered approximately one ounce of cocaine, three sets of scales, two pill crushers, and thirteen firearms, including a nine millimeter semi-automatic pistol, a high-powered rifle with a scope, a shotgun and other rifles. The agents also discovered men's clothes, notepads bearing Morris' name, bills addressed to Morris and photographs of Morris.
Moreno was arrested on December 19, 1989. Morris was arrested on December 20, 1989. On December 27, 1989, bond hearings were held for Moreno, Morris and Smith. Defendants were held without bond. Smith, however, was released on bond. On January 10, 1990, a federal grand jury returned a thirteen-count superseding indictment. On March 13, 1990, a second superseding indictment was returned with certain technical amendments to the prior indictment. The first count of the indictment charged Moreno, Smith, Morris and Jimmy Craighead, a distributor for Jones, with participating in a conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846. Other counts of the indictment charged Moreno, Smith and Morris with the following: distributing cocaine or attempting to possess cocaine with the intent to distribute, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a) (1); use of a telephone to further the drug trafficking activities, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 843(b); and traveling in interstate commerce to further the unlawful drug trafficking activity, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1952(a). The last count of the indictment charged Morris with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g). Joint Appendix at 35-44 (March 13, 1990, Superseding Indictment).
Prior to trial, Jimmy Craighead pled guilty. The trial for Moreno, Smith and Morris began on April 2, 1990. The government rested its case on the third day. Moreno testified on his own behalf and claimed that he was selling marijuana, not cocaine. At the conclusion of the third day, the cross-examination of Moreno had begun. After the third day of trial, Smith decided to plead guilty. On the following day, Smith pled guilty to count one of the indictment, participating in the conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
The government's rebuttal case was presented after the cross-examination of Moreno concluded. Smith testified for the government in its rebuttal case. Later that day, the case went to the jury. The jury returned a guilty verdict for Moreno on all counts with which he was charged. The jury returned a not guilty verdict for Morris on count one, participating in the conspiracy to distribute cocaine. The jury found Morris guilty on all other charged counts.
On June 4, 1990, defendants were sentenced. Moreno was sentenced to a life term of imprisonment pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 841(b) (1) (A). The district court entered this judgment on June 4, 1990. Morris was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 180 months and five years of supervised release. The district court entered this judgment on June 12, 1990. Defendants filed timely notices of appeal.
Defendants argue that their convictions should be set aside and they should receive new trials because, during the course of trial, jurors learned that they had not posted bond and were in custody. They contend that the district court abused its discretion in denying their motions for mistrial on this basis. Our review of the record indicates that the district court's denial of the motions for mistrial was proper.
The jury learned that defendants were in custody during the government's redirect examination of Jones:
[Government]: You were also asked by [Morris' attorney] about whether or not you could be held just anywhere, and this was in connection with the fact that you were being held over across the hall as opposed to in the marshal's cell on this side of the hall. Would you relate for the ladies and gentlemen exactly why it is you aren't being held in the marshal's cell?
[Jones]: Well, I didn't want to be in there with the Defendants.
[Government]: Now, when you say the Defendants, you mean to make reference to Mr.--
[Jones]: Mr. Morris, Mr. Moreno. I think Mr. Smith is out on bond.
Joint Appendix at 529 (Testimony of Ricky Joe Jones).
Defendants objected to this questioning and the following exchange occurred at sidebar:
[Moreno's counsel]: I would at this point on behalf of Isidro Moreno move for a mistrial.
* * * * * *
[Morris' counsel]: I'd like to make the same motion on the same grounds.
[Government]: [Morris' counsel's] questioning, of course, made all this relevant.
The Court: You brought it up, you brought it up with respect to why this witness was being held across the hall.
[Morris' counsel]: Not in any regard to what he brought up.
The Court: Yeah, you knew--I mean, you're not going to tell me you did not know why Jones was being held separately from your clients. Don't tell me that.
[Morris' counsel]: No, sir. My question had nothing to do with that, had no relation to where these other Defendants were....
The Court: I don't want to argue with you about what your question was, but at any rate, the answer you elicited was why he was being held across the hall. I tell you what I'll do, I will give a special instruction to the jury.
Joint Appendix at 529-31.
Immediately following this exchange, the district court gave the following instructions:
The Court: Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, you should disregard the last response that Mr. Jones gave to the question that was asked by Mr. Cook. Do not consider that as evidence in this case.
I will give you further instruction at this time that the custodial status of Defendants Moreno and Morris or of Defendant Smith has nothing to do with their guilt or innocence, and you should not consider that in any way in your deliberations in this case.
Joint Appendix at 532-33. In addition, defendants allege that one or two of the jurors saw them wearing handcuffs and/or shackles as they were being transported by the marshals.
We will not disturb the district court's denial of defendants' motion for mistrial absent a showing of abuse of discretion. United States v. Levy, 904 F.2d 1026, 1030 (6th Cir. 1990), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 111 S. Ct. 974, 112 L. Ed. 2d 1060 (1991). Exposure of the jury to a defendant in shackles requires a mistrial only when the exposure is so "inherently prejudicial" as to deny the defendant's constitutional right to a fair trial. United States v. Pina, 844 F.2d 1, 8 (1st Cir. 1988). We have distinguished the inherent prejudice to a defendant who is shackled while in the courtroom from a defendant who has been observed in shackles for a brief period elsewhere in the courthouse. United States v. Crane, 499 F.2d 1385, 1389 (6th Cir.), cert. denied, 419 U.S. 1002, 95 S. Ct. 322, 42 L. Ed. 2d 278 (1974). Defendants are required to show actual prejudice where " [t]he conditions under which defendants were seen were routine security measures rather than situations of unusual restraint such as shackling of defendants during trial." Payne v. Smith, 667 F.2d 541, 544-45 (6th Cir. 1981) (quoting United States v. Diecidue, 603 F.2d 535, 549 (5th Cir. 1979), cert. denied, 445 U.S. 946, 100 S. Ct. 1345, 63 L. Ed. 2d 781 (1980)), cert. denied, 456 U.S. 932, 102 S. Ct. 1983, 72 L. Ed. 2d 449 (1982). Courts have expressed a "preference for remedial action after an accidental observation of a defendant in custody." United States v. Garcia-Rosa, 876 F.2d 209, 236 n. 22 (1st Cir. 1989), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 110 S. Ct. 742, 107 L. Ed. 2d 760 (1990).
In the instant case, defendants were inadvertently observed in shackles while being transported by the marshals and the jury learned of defendants' custodial status through trial testimony. The record fails, however, to support defendants' claims of inherent prejudice warranting mistrial. Their claims are further undermined by the district court's instruction to the jury that the custodial status of the defendants was not indicative of guilt or innocence and, therefore, should be disregarded. There is the presumption that juries will follow such curative instructions. United States v. Gomez-Pabon, 911 F.2d 847, 858 (1st Cir. 1990) ("This presumption will be defeated only if there is 'an 'overwhelming probability' that the jury will be unable to follow the court's instructions, and a strong likelihood that the effect ... would be 'devastating' to the defendant.' "), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 111 S. Ct. 801, 112 L. Ed. 2d 862 (1991). Because defendants failed to show prejudice, we find defendants' contention that the district court abused its discretion in denying their motions for mistrial meritless.
Moreno maintains that joinder of Morris in Count 1 of the superseding indictment was improper, pursuant to Fed. R. Crim. P. 8. Moreno argues in the alternative that the district court erred in failing to grant his motion to sever, pursuant to Fed. R. Crim. P. 14. Morris contends that Count 13 of the superseding indictment should have been severed from the remaining counts because the spillover effect from the joint trial denied him a fair trial. We conclude that the facts in this case support the finding that Morris and Moreno were properly joined in Count 1. We further conclude that the district court was not required to sever Count 13, charging Morris with a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g).
Rule 8 provides in pertinent part:
Two or more defendants may be charged in the same indictment or information if they are alleged to have participated in the same act or transaction or in the same series of acts or transaction constituting an offense or offenses. Such defendants may be charged in one or more counts together or separately and all of the defendants need not be charged in each count.
Fed. R. Crim. P. 8(b). In United States v. Swift, 809 F.2d 320 (6th Cir. 1987), we determined that " n the decision of whether to join 'the predominant consideration is whether joinder would serve the goals of trial economy and convenience; the primary purpose of this kind of joinder is to insure that a given transaction need only be proved once.' " Id. at 322 (quoting United States v. Franks, 511 F.2d 25, 29 (6th Cir.), cert. denied, 422 U.S. 1042, 95 S. Ct. 2654, 45 L. Ed. 2d 693 (1975)). Reversal for misjoinder is proper "only if the misjoinder results in actual prejudice because it 'had substantial and injurious effect or influence in determining the jury's verdict.' " United States v. Lane, 474 U.S. 438, 449, 106 S. Ct. 725, 732, 88 L. Ed. 2d 814 (1986).
Count 1 of the superseding indictment states:
The Grand Jury charges that beginning in approximately the month of August 1989, and continuing until and including December 20, 1989, in the Eastern District of Tennessee and elsewhere, the defendants, ISIDRO MORENO, also known as MICHAEL KENNEDY, DUANE SMITH, JAMES R. CRAIGHEAD, and PAUL R. MORRIS, along with Ricky Joe Jones, an unindicted coconspirator herein, and other persons and coconspirators known and unknown to the Grand Jury did willfully, knowingly, intentionally, and without authority combine, conspire, confederate, and agree with each other to commit violations of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a) (1), that is to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute five (5) kilograms or more of cocaine hydrochloride, a Schedule II narcotic controlled substance.
Joint Appendix at 35. Count 1 charged defendants with involvement in a chain conspiracy. " n a chain conspiracy prosecution, the requisite element--knowledge of the existence of remote links--may be inferred solely from the nature of the enterprise." United States v. Elliott, 571 F.2d 880, 901 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 953, 99 S. Ct. 349, 58 L. Ed. 2d 344 (1978). Although Morris was acquitted of participating in the conspiracy, the district court properly joined defendants in Count 1 of the superseding indictment based on the government's belief that it could prove that Moreno supplied cocaine to Jones who then provided cocaine to Morris for distribution as part of the chain conspiracy.
We also find unpersuasive Moreno's claim that severance of the parties in Count 1 was required. The decision to grant or deny a motion for severance is entrusted to the sound discretion of the district court. Swift, 809 F.2d at 322. As a general rule, persons jointly indicted should be tried together. United States v. Kelly, 569 F.2d 928, 938 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 829, 99 S. Ct. 105, 58 L. Ed. 2d 123 (1978). Without a showing of compelling prejudice, a motion for severance should not be granted. Id. From our review, we must conclude that defendants failed to establish any prejudice resulting from their joinder in Count 1. The district court did not abuse its discretion in denying the motion for severance.
We reach the same conclusion with respect to Count 13 of the indictment. First, the district court properly determined that joinder was proper under Rule 8(b). In United States v. Dye, 508 F.2d 1226 (6th Cir. 1974), cert. denied, 420 U.S. 974, 95 S. Ct. 1395, 43 L. Ed. 2d 653 (1975), we stated that "the general rule in conspiracy cases is that persons jointly indicted should be tried together and that this is particularly true where the offenses charged may be established against all of the defendants by the same evidence and which result from the same series of acts." Id. at 1236; United States v. Hessling, 845 F.2d 617, 619 (6th Cir. 1988).
In the instant case, the indictment charged Morris along with Moreno in the conspiracy count, Count 1. In substance, the conspiracy count alleged that Moreno obtained cocaine and supplied it to Jones for redistribution and that Jones in turn supplied Craighead and Morris. Moreover, the indictment charged that, as part of the conspiracy, Morris stored and maintained at his residence in Cooke County, Tennessee, items used in the sale and distribution of cocaine including quantities of cocaine, scales, and firearms. Count 13 of the indictment charges that Morris, a convicted felon, possessed these firearms in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g).
Our decision in Swift directs us that Rule 8(b) "can and should be 'broadly construed in favor of initial joinder,' because of the protection Rule 14 affords against unnecessarily prejudicial joinder." Swift, 809 F.2d at 322. In the instant case, the conspiracy charge and the felony in possession of firearms charge involved overlapping proof. Joinder served the dual goals of trial economy and convenience by insuring that the transaction needed to be proved only once. Id. We, therefore, conclude that Count 13 was properly joined because it served the goals of trial economy and convenience.
We next inquire whether Morris has shown specific and compelling prejudice requiring severance under Rule 14. Morris submits that he was prejudiced by the spillover effect. In order to prevail on this theory, Morris must show an inability by the jury to separate and to treat distinctively the evidence that is relevant to each particular defendant on trial. United States v. Gallo, 763 F.2d 1504, 1525-26 (6th Cir. 1985), cert. denied, 474 U.S. 1068, 106 S. Ct. 826, 88 L. Ed. 2d 798 (1986). " [T]here is a presumption that the jury will be able to sort out the evidence applicable to each defendant and render its verdict accordingly." United States v. Horton, 847 F.2d 313, 317 (6th Cir. 1988).
The jury's acquittal of Morris on Count 1 is a strong indication of its ability to separately evaluate each defendant's guilt with respect to each count of the indictment. See United States v. Garcia, 848 F.2d 1324, 1334 (2d Cir. 1988), cert. denied, 489 U.S. 1070, 109 S. Ct. 1352, 103 L. Ed. 2d 820 (1989); see also Gallo, 763 F.2d at 1526. Morris fails to satisfy the burden of showing prejudice. We, therefore, conclude that the district court's denial of the motion to sever was proper.
Moreno contends that he is entitled to a new trial because the district court declined his motion for continuance. The following course of events is the basis for Moreno's contention. On the third day of trial, after the close of the government's case-in-chief, Moreno took the stand. At the end of the third day of trial, Moreno was in the midst of cross-examination. After the trial adjourned for that day, Smith, who was a codefendant, entered into a plea agreement. On the following morning, Thursday, April 5, 1990, Moreno requested a postponement of trial until the following Monday. Moreno explained that he wished to conduct an investigation of Smith on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. In response to the district judge's questions, Moreno's counsel stated that he was prepared to cross-examine Smith regarding the facts of the case. However, he wished to be able to examine Smith regarding his prior criminal record and the terms of the plea agreement. Moreno's counsel was provided with a copy of Smith's plea agreement which was subsequently placed into evidence. He also received a copy of Smith's criminal record. The district court denied Moreno's motion for a continuance until the following Monday. After the cross-examination of Moreno was completed, the government called Smith in its rebuttal case.
In Bennett v. Scroggy, 793 F.2d 772 (6th Cir. 1986), we stated "the constitutionality of a trial judge's refusal to grant a continuance depends on the circumstances of each particular case, evaluated in the light of the judge's traditional discretion to grant or deny such motions." Id. at 774. We will not reverse a denial of a motion for continuance in the absence of a clear abuse of discretion. Gallo, 763 F.2d at 1523. " 'Denial amounts to a constitutional violation only if there is an unreasoning and arbitrary 'insistence upon expeditiousness in the face of a justifiable request for delay.' To demonstrate reversible error, the defendant must show that the denial resulted in actual prejudice to his defense.' " Id. (quoting United States v. Mitchell, 744 F.2d 701, 704 (9th Cir. 1984)).
Moreno fails to satisfy his burden of showing actual prejudice. His counsel conceded that he was prepared to cross-examine Smith on the facts. The additional reasons offered to support his motion for continuance--the need to understand the terms of the plea agreement and Smith's criminal background--were eliminated when the government provided him with the requested information. Moreno's counsel vigorously cross-examined Smith, providing additional evidence of counsel's preparation. Based on this record, the district court did not commit reversible error in denying Moreno's motion for a continuance.
Moreno contends that his right to remain silent was violated by the government during cross-examination regarding a statement he made to Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Agent Tom Evans ("Agent Evans") subsequent to his arrest. Prior to being subjected to questioning, Moreno was advised of his Miranda rights. Agent Evans asked Moreno to identify his supplier. Moreno declined to identify his supplier and, according to Agent Evans, Moreno stated, in substance, "that at some point you have to stand up and be a man [and] ... that he was no snitch and at some point you have to stand up and be counted for what you are doing." At trial, Moreno testified on cross-examination that he sold only marijuana and his supplier was a man named Jorge. Moreno did not know Jorge's last name, address, phone number or any other identifying information. Moreno gave the following relevant testimony during the course of cross-examination:
[Government]: All right. Now, the agents asked you at the time of your arrest, they asked you to cooperate with the state and Federal law enforcement officials and identify your supplier.
[Moreno]: Yes, they did.
[Government]: You remember telling them you didn't want to be a snitch?
[Moreno]: I never said that.
[Government]: You didn't say that?
[Moreno]: I didn't say that in those words, no, sir.
* * * * * *
[Government]: Well, what words did you say?
[Moreno]: I was referring to Ricky Jones, what would you call a person like Ricky Jones, and what he was doing, and he referred to him as a snitch, and I said I didn't want to be called that.
[Government]: Mr. Moreno, did you agree or decline to cooperate with law enforcement officials?
[Moreno]: I said that I didn't know anybody.
Joint Appendix 653-54.
Based on his testimony, Moreno did not invoke his right to remain silent regarding the identity of his supplier. He stated, during the post-arrest interrogation, that he did not know the identity of his supplier. After Moreno testified at trial that his supplier was Jorge, the government properly cross-examined him on his prior inconsistent statement.
Moreno relies on Doyle v. Ohio, 426 U.S. 610, 96 S. Ct. 2240, 49 L. Ed. 2d 91 (1976), to support his claim of a fifth amendment violation. Doyle involved two defendants who were arrested and charged with selling marijuana. After their arrests, both defendants were advised of their Miranda rights. The defendants then invoked their right to remain silent and declined to make any statement about their involvement in the crime. At trial, the defendants claimed that they had not sold marijuana. Rather, they had been framed by the informant. On cross-examination, "the prosecutor asked [both defendants] why [they] had not told the frameup to [the investigating agent] when he arrested [them]." Doyle, 426 U.S. at 613, 96 S. Ct. at 2242. The Supreme Court held that Miranda carried with it an implicit assurance that silence would carry no penalty. Thus, " n such circumstances, it would be fundamentally unfair and a deprivation of due process to allow the arrested person's silence to be used to impeach an explanation subsequently offered at trial." Doyle, 426 U.S. at 618, 96 S. Ct. at 2245. In Anderson v. Charles, 447 U.S. 404, 100 S. Ct. 2180, 65 L. Ed. 2d 222 (1980) (per curiam), the Supreme Court revisited Doyle and limited its holding:
Doyle bars the use against a criminal defendant of silence maintained after receipt of governmental assurances. But Doyle does not apply to cross-examination that merely inquires into prior inconsistent statements. Such questioning makes no unfair use of silence, because a defendant who voluntarily speaks after receiving Miranda warnings has not been induced to remain silent. As to the subject matter of his statements, the defendant has not remained silent at all.
Id. at 408, 100 S. Ct. at 2182.
We conclude that in cross-examining Moreno, the government was not making unfair use of Moreno's silence. Moreno, in fact, did not remain silent when questioned about the identity of his supplier. Moreno, instead, stated in the interrogation that he did not know his supplier. Thus when Moreno offered trial testimony that his supplier was named Jorge, the government impeached Moreno's credibility by inquiring into his prior inconsistent statement. We therefore reject as meritless Moreno's due process claim.
Morris argues that there was insufficient evidence to convict him of being a felon in possession of a firearm in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g).1 Count 13 of the indictment charged Morris with possessing the firearm "on or about December 20, 1989 through and including December 27, 1989." Morris was arrested at 10:30 p.m. on December 20, 1989. He was still being held in custody on December 27, 1989, the date the firearms were discovered in his residence. Morris contends that he could not be found guilty of possession of these firearms because he was in custody during the relevant period. After careful review of the record, we hold that there was sufficient evidence to convict Morris of violating Sec. 922(g).
Based on allegations of insufficient evidence, Morris moved for judgments of acquittal at the close of the government's case-in-chief and at the close of the evidence. Both motions were denied. When reviewing this claim, we must consider all of the evidence in the light most favorable to the government to determine whether a reasonable jury could find guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. United States v. Walton, 908 F.2d 1289, 1294 (6th Cir.), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 111 S. Ct. 273, 112 L. Ed. 2d 229 (1990). "This standard of review is the same whether the evidence reviewed is direct or circumstantial." United States v. Seltzer, 794 F.2d 1114, 1119 (6th Cir. 1986), cert. denied, 479 U.S. 1054, 107 S. Ct. 927, 93 L. Ed. 2d 979 (1987).
Evidence that Morris had actual or constructive possession of the firearm is sufficient to sustain the verdict. "Constructive possession exists when a person does not have actual possession but instead knowingly has the power and the intention at a given time to exercise dominion and control over an object, either directly or through others." United States v. Craven, 478 F.2d 1329, 1333 (6th Cir.), cert. denied, 414 U.S. 866, 94 S. Ct. 54, 38 L. Ed. 2d 85 (1973). The jury could find Morris guilty of actual possession on December 20, 1989, before his arrest. The jury also could find him guilty of constructive possession either before his arrest on December 20, 1989, or after his arrest. Morris' incarceration did not affect his power to exercise control over the firearms through other persons.
Given the ability to establish actual or constructive possession as a basis for a Sec. 922(g) violation, we must now direct our inquiry to whether, when viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the government, a reasonable jury could have found Morris guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Morris argues that the evidence was insufficient to link him to the residence where the firearms were discovered. We do not agree.
Investigating agents found numerous bills, notebooks and other personal items bearing Morris' name. Photographs of Morris were found in the residence. The deed to the residence was in the name of Morris and his wife. In addition to evidence linking Morris to the residence where the firearms were discovered, there was evidence which corroborated his tape recorded statement that he owned a rifle with a powerful scope which he pointed at neighbors he believed to be cooperating with the police. Among the thirteen firearms discovered at his residence, agents found a rifle fitting the tape recorded description. Moreover, when Morris was searched at the time of his arrest, agents discovered a box of live nine millimeter handgun ammunition in his briefcase. At Morris' residence, agents discovered a handgun which used this type of ammunition. In addition, a book entitled Gun Trader's Manual was discovered. Based on these facts, we conclude that a reasonable jury could have found Morris guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of violating Sec. 922(g).
Morris contends that the district court erred in imposing the fifteen-year minimum term of imprisonment, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 924(e),2 for violating 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) (1). Morris relies on U.S.S.G. Sec. 4A1.2 to argue that in applying Sec. 924(e), felony convictions not within fifteen years of the instant conviction should not be considered. This argument is without merit.
Section 4A1.2 addresses the computation of a defendant's criminal history category for use in application of the Sentencing Guidelines. This section does not affect the statutory range set pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 924(e). When the statutory criteria of Sec. 924(e) are met, the section provides for a statutory minimum penalty of fifteen years. United States v. Carey, 898 F.2d 642, 644 (8th Cir. 1990). Although the Sentencing Guidelines may restrict the sentencing court's consideration of certain past offenses, Sec. 924(e) does not. Granted, Morris' sentence under the Guidelines would have been less than fifteen years if Sec. 924(e) (1) were not applicable. However, the Guidelines direct that:
Where a statutorily required minimum sentence is greater than the maximum of the applicable guideline range, the statutorily required minimum sentence shall be the guideline sentence.
U.S.S.G. Sec. 5G1.1(b). See Carey, 898 F.2d at 645. Therefore, the district court's imposition of the fifteen-year statutory minimum under Sec. 924(e) was proper.
Morris also claims that the district court erred when, in determining the base offense level pursuant to U.S.S.G. Sec. 2D1.1, it considered Morris' earlier involvement in drug trafficking activities. Although Morris was acquitted of the conspiracy charge, he was convicted, among other charges, of Count 12--attempting to possess 500 or more grams of cocaine. Based on this conviction, the district court determined that the applicable statutory sentencing range was five to forty years under 21 U.S.C. § 841(b) (1) (B). The district court then determined Morris' base offense level under U.S.S.G. Sec. 2D1.1 and adjusted the offense level in accordance with the provision's commentary. The commentary accompanying U.S.S.G. Sec. 2D1.1 provides that " [t]ypes and quantities of drugs not specified in the count of conviction may be considered in determining the offense level...." U.S.S.G. Sec. 2D1.1, comment (n. 12).
Morris contends that his acquittal of Count 1 bars the district court from considering this conduct in determining the base offense level. Other circuits have rejected this reasoning. See, e.g., United States v. Funt, 896 F.2d 1288, 1300 (11th Cir. 1990) (" [A]n acquittal does not bar a sentencing court from considering the acquitted conduct in imposing sentence."); United States v. Rodriguez-Gonzalez, 899 F.2d 177, 180 (2d Cir.) (defendant acquitted for carrying gun during drug offense received an increase for firearm possession during drug offense), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 111 S. Ct. 127, 112 L. Ed. 2d 95 (1990). The rationale supporting these decisions is that in order to convict at trial, the government bears the burden of proving the elements of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt. However, the burden of proof at sentencing is the lesser preponderance of evidence standard. See United States v. Castro, 908 F.2d 85, 90 (6th Cir. 1990); United States v. Silverman, 889 F.2d 1531, 1535 (6th Cir. 1989). Morris' acquittal does not, therefore, require his relevant conduct to be ignored. See U.S.S.G. Sec. 1B1.3(a) (2) ("Unless otherwise specified, (1) the base offense level where the guideline specifies more than one base offense level ... shall be determined ... solely with respect to offenses of a character for which Sec. 3D1.2(d) would require grouping of multiple counts, all such acts and omissions that were part of the same course of conduct or common scheme or plan as the offense of conviction....").
We review the district court's factual findings under the Guidelines using a clearly erroneous standard. United States v. Robison, 904 F.2d 365, 370 (6th Cir.), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 111 S. Ct. 360, 112 L. Ed. 2d 323 (1990). "A finding is 'clearly erroneous' when although there is evidence to support it, the reviewing court on the entire evidence is left with the definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been committed." United States v. Perez, 871 F.2d 45, 48 (6th Cir.), cert. denied, 492 U.S. 910, 109 S. Ct. 3227, 106 L. Ed. 2d 576 (1989).
We conclude that the district court's factual findings are not clearly erroneous because they are supported by sufficient evidence. Morris' supplier, Ricky Joe Jones, provided extensive testimony regarding Morris' involvement in drug trafficking and the amount of cocaine he supplied to Morris. Jones testified that between August and December, he supplied Morris at least once a month. He usually supplied Morris with one kilogram of cocaine per month but occasionally he supplied Morris with two kilograms at a time. We, therefore, reject Morris' assignment of error in sentencing.
Morris argues that the district court erred in allowing tape recordings of telephone conversations and meetings to be played to the jury twice and by permitting the jury to use transcripts while listening to the recordings. We find Morris' assignments of error meritless.
The decision to admit the tapes and the decision to use transcripts are matters which rest within the district court's sound discretion. United States v. Hughes, 895 F.2d 1135, 1147 n. 22 (6th Cir. 1990). We, therefore, apply an abuse of discretion standard to these claims. United States v. Robinson, 707 F.2d 872, 875-76 (6th Cir. 1983).
Based on our review of the record, we conclude that the district court did not abuse its discretion in admitting tapes and permitting the use of transcripts. Morris did not challenge the admissibility of the tapes or the foundation laid for the transcripts. The district court instructed the jury that any difference in the tapes and the transcripts was to be governed by the tapes. This instruction further supports our conclusion that the district court exercised sound discretion in admitting the tapes and allowing the jury to use a transcript of the tapes as an aid.
Morris also contends that the district court committed reversible error when it allowed the jury to see the actual firearms that were seized from his residence rather than photographs of the firearms. This decision also rested in the district court's sound discretion. We will not reverse a district court's evidentiary ruling absent a clear showing of abuse of discretion. United States v. Phillips, 888 F.2d 38, 40 (6th Cir. 1989).
The probative value of the firearms is clear, since they are the basis for Count 13 of the indictment. We conclude that presentation of the actual firearms, rather than photographs of the firearms, did not provide the government with an unfair advantage gained from "the capacity of the evidence to persuade by illegitimate means." C. Wright and K. Graham, FEDERAL PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE Sec. 5215 at 275 (1978). Because we find that the probative value of the presence of the actual firearms in the courtroom was not "substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice," Fed.R.Evid. 403, we reject Morris' contention and find that the district court did not abuse its discretion.
Morris, in his final argument, contends that the district court erred in admitting into evidence the firearms, cocaine and scales seized at his residence. Morris claims that the evidence was not relevant because it was not sufficiently linked to him. We disagree.
Count 13 of the indictment charged Morris with possession of firearms up to the date of seizure. The firearms, therefore, were relevant. The scales and cocaine were relevant to Count 1 charging him with participating in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine, storing items used in the sale and distribution of cocaine, including scales and firearms. Although the evidence was not seized from his residence until seven days after Morris' arrest, this fact did not render the evidence irrelevant or otherwise inadmissible. The evidence was proffered to establish that Morris had constructive or actual possession of the contraband. See Section II. F. In sum, Morris has failed to meet his burden of showing that the district court abused its discretion.
Finding no errors which warrant reversal, we AFFIRM defendants' respective convictions and sentences entered by the Honorable R. Allan Edgar, United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Tennessee.

1
18 U.S.C. § 922(g) provides in pertinent part:
It shall be unlawful for any person--who has been convicted in any court of, a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year; ... to ship or transport in interstate or foreign commerce, or possess in or affecting commerce, any firearm or ammunition; or to receive any firearm or ammunition which has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce.
18 U.S.C. § 922(g) (1). The elements of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) (1) are "(1) that the defendant had a previous felony conviction, (2) that the defendant possessed a firearm, and (3) that the firearm had traveled in or affected interstate commerce." United States v. Petitjean, 883 F.2d 1341, 1347 (7th Cir. 1989). Only the second element is at issue in the instant case.

2
18 U.S.C. § 924(e) (1) provides:
In the case of a person who violates section 922(g) of this title and has three previous convictions by any court referred to in section 922(g) (1) of this title for a violent felony or a serious drug offense, or both, committed on occasions different from one another, such person shall be fined not more than $25,000 and imprisoned not less than fifteen years, and, notwithstanding any other provision of law, the court shall not suspend the sentence of, or grant a probationary sentence to, such person with respect to the conviction under section 922(g), and such person shall not be eligible for parole with respect to the sentence imposed under this subsection.
18 U.S.C. § 924(e) (1).

 

This thread has become a treasure trove of history. Thank you all who contribute to keep it going!

 

MAD & Dead Serious Kennel's (aka Coy's) Gr Ch Banjo(Rom) To MAD's Georgia(Por)



Which Produced Dead Serious Kennel's & Emile's Lockdown Rudy(2xw-1xl), Falcon's Lil J(1xdgl), Dirty South Kennel's Atlanta(Por) & St. Benedict Kennel's Sunshine. The Most Famous In The Litter Was Lockdown Rudy Who Defeated 2) SDJ 4xw'er Champions: Hardcore Kennel's Ch Smiley(4xw-1xl), Havana Boy's Ch Rex(4xw-1xl) Then Losing To Super Cracker's Gr Ch Retard(5xw) In 1:31 Trying To Defeat The Best 4xw'er Champions In His Era. Rudy Was Sterile And Never Produced A Pup, His Sister Atlanta Was A Great Producer, She Produced: Dirty South Kennel's Ch Lockdown Rudy Jr Who Went To The Philippines And Defeated (PD) The Philippines Doy Of The Year Ch Magneto(3xw-2xl) In 38 min.

http://www.apbt.online-pedigrees.com/modules.php?name=Public&file=siblings&dog_id=22352

 

Burton's (Mayfield's)PIT GENERAL
In my time, climbing this mountain and gathering the harvest, I have matched 103 American Gamedogs. Each match was with a forfeit up and seasons of schooling and conditioning of each dog. Many times I have been asked, “what dog was the “ace” that you seen in your time?” In my time, which goes on even now, the one dog that was the killingest dog I ever seen was the dog called, “Pit General”. His name was “General” when I bought him, near the age of 16 months old. That day, I bought seven or eight dogs from a young man by the name of Danny Burton. “General” was the cheapest dog I bought that day. All the dogs I bought that day was then called Tudor bred dogs, all but one, and that one was called “Vick”. “Vick” was a one time winner and the one Danny liked the most, so Vick came that day as the highest dollar dog in the package deal.
These dogs were a small number of a larger number of dogs that I bought in the late 1960s and the early 1970’s. At this time, I was trying to buy the dogs bred closest to the ones in Earl Tudors yard. Before this, Danny had spent a few years being friends with Earl Tudor. Earl had given him one of his purest bred bitch pups, her name was “Spookie” then later, Earl gave Danny “Spookies” dam, a bitch called “Snip”. She was almost fawn color. Near that time, Danny lost a finger and took “‘Snip” back to Earl, then Danny and Earl had a fall out and were never friends again. I later bought “Spookie” and some of her offsprings bred from a dog called, “Bear”. I pitted the offsprings and bred “Spookie” to her sire, a dog called “Nigger”.
In those days, the early 1970’s, I was matching a large number of dogs. I was using dogs from most every family of dogs bred in those times. And the ones I was winning the most with was the ones bred the closest to Earl Tudors purest family. It was the same with the others in the game at that time. Everyone in the game at that time, who was at the core of the game, was trying to get dogs bred as close to Earl Tudors yard and purest families as they could. At this time I was going to Earl Tudors shade tree two times a year. We would talk each time from sunup to sundown one day, then I would go home and think for weeks and weeks about what all he told me. A number of times, I had a tape recorder and taped hours and hours of he and I talking to each other. In those days. few people gave Earl Tudor any respect. They all were trying to push him from the mountain he had proven in the game. Many times, when Earl and I talked, he would break down and cry and rub tears and talk about how the game never gave him his due. He told me more than one time about the many dogs that were bred off his yard, then the new owners would change their breeding and try and make A name in this game, they will come after you for themselves. He said, from all over the mountain trying to prove you wrong. “General”, in his few rolls in my yard, lasted near 10 minutes. I matched him into a painter friend from East Dallas; his name was Billy Purdue. ‘
Billy was a red headed, 30 year old, who was making lots of money in those days. Billy had become friends with an old timer in the Dallas area called, Frank Fitzwater. Billy and Frank had a red rednose family bred dog, bred by Frank. The dogs name “Duke”. He had been schooled and worked since he was a small pup. “Duke” was a dog bred from two yards in the U.S.A. He was bred from the purest families from Earl Tudors yard. the large percent Lightner breeding and small percent Tudor breeding. Frank Fitzwater had been a friend of both Bill Lightner and Earl Tudor and over the years, became a breeder of their family of gamedogs. Frank and Earl had climbed into the pit with one another more than once. Frank had won over Earl and Earl had won over Frank. Frank, at this time, when the match was made between “‘General” and “Duke”, was deep in a whiskey bottle every chance he had. He at this time, was into his 90’s and said he was a bastard son of Jesse James. Frank began matching dogs in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Frank Fitzwater was matching dogs a number of years before Earl Tudor matched his first dog. Frank was friends with the generations of the late 1800’s and friends with the generations to 1977 when he died. In the early 1970’s,
Billy Purdue and Frank spent many hours together talking after Billy bought “Duke” as a pup from Frank. When we met at pitside, after going near a season without seeing one another, I could see Billy had lost weight and Frank was drinking some good whiskey. Frank came to me and said, “Donnie, how’s your black dog bred?”‘ I said, “‘Frank, he’s crossed from near an 1/8 of your yard of Lightner Tudor dogs with the rest from Tudors purest family”. Frank said, “I bet he can bite through a dog can’t he?” I said, “he sure can, Frank!” Then Frank said, “‘what kind of shape have you got him in?” I said, “Frank, this black dog is a wild kind of dog and most of the work I put on him was a little bit of everything and everything I put on him, he was wild to work. I then said to Frank, what kind of shape ya’ll got that “Duke”‘ dog in?”‘ Frank looked at me with one eye looking east and the other eye looking high north and said, “he’s going to be hard to get to and if you get to him, your dogs going to have to kill him to stop him.” I said, “Frank, is there anyone on ya’lls side who wants to bet some money?” and about this time, Billy walked up. Billy said as he walked up, “I’ll bet $300.00 the match goes longer then 30 minutes.” I said, “I’ll bet you $300.00 it don’t last 45 minutes”. And Billy said, “You got a bet!” We washed the dogs and pitted them into each other on “Duke’s” side of the pit. “Pit General”, that is, he was called “General” at that time; “General”, he began pushing “Duke” from side to side and trying to put him in a corner. The only holds “‘General” was getting was skin holds. “Duke” was a good holding, head fighting dog. “‘General” would drive in under “‘Duke” and “Duke” would walk backwards and hold “General” out with ear and neck holds. This was the way of the match till near 40 minutes. Then, “General”‘ landed one of “Duke’s” front feet in his mouth., He then began to bite up “Duke’s” leg, breaking it with every bite. When he got to the first joint, he shook “Duke” off his feet for the first time of the match. Both dogs had been off their feet but, only for one or two seconds at a time.Frank was in his 90’s and walking strong with a cane. Frank was a tall man of over 6 ft. He was slim and never a man to show any fat. Frank was known as a long dog walker. He learned his conditioning from Lou Bowser when he was near 20 yrs. old. Frank was friends with all the core in his time, that was from the 1880’s to the 1970’s. His stories were very interesting and he would match a dog into anyone who would match a dog. Frank was known over the U.S.A. as a hard man to win over.
As “General” began biting higher on “Duke’s”‘ leg, breaking it with every bite, he reached his shoulder. He then gave “Duke” a hard shake in the air, then put him on his back and bit deep into his shoulder and broke it. “General” then took “Duke’s”‘ other front foot and shook it till it raised “Duke” in the air. As “General” began biting up “Duke’s” other leg, he broke it also with every bite; then, broke his shoulder the same way. At this time, “General” had “Duke” on his back in our corner of the pit. Frank was on pit side over the dogs as he looked at me with, his good eye and said, “he’s going to have to kill him to win”. “General let up as he laid on “‘Duke” breathing hot. He caught his wind and went into the rear end of “Duke” and broke a high leg as “‘Duke” made a whine. Then, “General” again laid on the side of “Duke”, out of hold, as I-asked the ref. for an out of hold count. Billy and Frank were both ready to give up the Match as we got a handle. “Duke” looked at “General” as “General” was going wild to get to “Duke”. When the ref. called out to face our dogs with the bottom dog to scratch, Billy called out to the crowd, “I’ll bet a $100.00 he’ll scratch!”, and before I could open my my mouth, he Pitted “Duke” and “Duke” fell fast to the floor, never taking his eyes off “General”. “Duke” was dead within minutes. After that match was over, I named “General”, “Pit General” and began right away working him for his next match.
His next match came one weekend when there was a big show in the area. There were a number of people who were coming from every area in the U.S.A. and a few from Mexico and Canada., -It was-the beginning of the 1970’s. the crowds were reaching near five hundred people at pit side.. The pits were out in the open or under a grove of trees., There were bleacher seats around the 24 by 24 foot pit. Over the pit and seats were a light cover for shade. Most all of these big Texas shows had near 10 matches each show. The number one dogs and dogmen of that time were meeting each-other at every show. Half brothers bred from Earl Tudor’s families were being matched into one another at every show. In some of the shows, all the dogs matched were all close kin to one another and all bred from the families in Earl Tudor’s yard. It was known throughout the game, the closer you dogs were bred to the dogs in Earl Tudor’s yard, the better chance you had to win. And in those days, winning was a big part of the game. Earl was making a number of the shows in those days but, most he missed as his health was a wreck and his nerves were near out of control. Earl, in his late years, became a man many found very hard to be around.
He was like an animal that would go wild within two seconds. When he talked he went into his stories to tell you the different looks on the different peoples faces at the time of the stories. And when some stories reached a point, he would begin crying, taking his eye glasses off and wiping tears from his eyes. His stories I listened to for hours each visit. He would always tell me, “just you and your wife come and I’ll tell you some stories you ain’t ever heard before”. Many of the stories Earl told me were stories I had heard but, told to me in a different way. Then after Earl would tell me a story, he would wink one eye, and give me a touch with one hand and say, “now that’s the truth of that story!” At this time, in the late.1960’s and early 1970’s, at the core of the game, One could be in a ‘large motel room with 15 or so of the number one players in the game talking to one another. And, in a room like that at a show, there would be many stories told about the different areas and gamedogs and the people who play the game. in those days, there would be a large number of In a room like that thir them who would be cutting down Earl Tudor in a number of different kind of ways in their stories. It was as if most were trying to push Earl from his true area on the mountain.
The different players were fast to talk of one from Earl’s’yard that lost and slow to talk about the ones that won and even slower to talk about the ones that proved that dead-gameness. It was plan to see the way the game matched itself into Earl Tudor in many ways as he proved himself. We all prove ourselves over a matter of years, and years, and years of playing the game. then, another generation will come along and prove the truth of the past. But now we’re here playing the game as the world is only a stage. And talking of Playing the game; at the time when one of the big Texas shows came off in this area, there were a number from California who had come to my shade tree for a visit. One was an Indian Chief called Indian Sonny. Another was a large land owner in California, his name Larry McCaw. Another was a good gamedog man called Freddy Jones. Freddy was hot to match a two-time winner he had called “Black Bart”. “Black Bart” in Freddy’s hands had won two matches, and killed a dog in the pit in 20 minutes in one. Freddy and his friends from California were walking over my dog yard when Freddy said, “‘Your dogs look different than any dogs I ever seen.” Larry McCaw had the day before, lost a match with his dog called “‘Barney”. He was fast to try and get Freddy and I together for a match while the Indian was trying to get into my pedigree and Picture collection. Larry said to Freddy, “These Texas dogs are sure thin aren’t they Freddy?” About this time, “‘Pit General” crawled out of a hole he had dug under his dog house. “Pit General” was near his pit weight, as was most all the dogs in my yard at that time, which was near the dog days of summer. In my dog yard in those days, there were no shade trees. The dogs and their houses were in an open area with the grass kept cut. Each dog house had a lean-to shade on one side of their house. Each dog had a water hole beside or under their house. As “Pit General” crawled out from under his house, he had mud on him and looked a site.
I turned to Freddy and said, “You see that 42 Pounder there that I just a while back won one with? I’ll match him into that “Black Bart” dog of yours that you won with at 43 and will match at your weight if you’ll come and match in this safe area of Texas.” After quite a bit of pro and con, and the Indian still trying to look at more of my pictures, we made the match to come off November 4, 1972. At that time, a field investigator for the Humane Society called Jerry Owens was starting to make headlines and TV news about how he was investigating dog fighting in this Texas area. The next show that came off in the spring of 1972, was a show where it rained all the day long and pit side was near 450 people who watched the matches all day till the last match ended under the light of a lantern. When this show came off, Jerry Owens got into a line leaving the motel to get to the pit side, then left to go buy him and his friends some rain coats. The pit was set up on the father of the Asst. District Attorneys ranch. Jerry Owens made it to the phone and called a number of different laws but, could not get a hold of any who would make the bust. For the next few weeks, Jerry Owens wag on headlines and TV shows talking about the size of the pit and the washing and weighing of the dogs.
The story was on the headlines of all the papers in the Texas area. About this time, the number one Texas Ranger in Texas came to the shade tree on the mountain, his name was Boss Hogg. He got right to the point and made himself real clear as he said, “No-more dog fights in Texas, Ya’ll hear!” At that time, we already had another show put together for the fall, then was when “Pit General” and “Black Bart”‘ was matched. I then made a call to a friend from the early 1960’s who lived just over the Texas line in Louisiana. His name was Jimmy Wimmberly. He had learned from Earl Tudor and had matched a number of Earl’s dogs. After we made a deal to hold the show at his race horse track, I asked him, “would you want to finish working a good dog for the show?” He asked about the dog and I told him; he took a 1/3 of the bet in on the over all deal we made. George Gilmen, who was at that time, a close friend who he and I had matched near 20 dogs together; he was backing me with money. He and I took “Pit General” to Jimmy’s place and talked deal for the show then made it back to the mountain top. One week later Jimmy called and asked if he could turn the dog over to another old friend called Roland Fontenot.
It was near 2 weeks till match time. I told him to let Roland have him to work. I can’t work anymore than I was working for that show, which I was working five for that show; and I knew Roland had also come up under Earl Tudor and had used dogs from Earl’s yard in his near seven or eight matches he had had. The deal was made and the fourth day in front of the matches, I drove into Louisiana with a large truck and the pit sticking out the rear of the truck. There was three of us from this area that made the trip with the pit and bleacher seats and five dogs that was matched at the show. We set up camp at pit side beside a river in a grove of tall pine trees on a sandy road behind an old half vacant house that was lived in by a horse jockey. Two nights before the matches were to come off, we all ate duck at Roland’s house and seen the looks of “Pit General” as he ate his next to the last feeding. Roland said to me, “I know you said he could bite hard but, you know me, cajun and all, I had to see for myself before I wanted to put any money down”.
When I got the dog from Jimmy, I put him on a 70 lb. bird dog. “Pit General” killed the bird dog in six minutes. He’s the hardest biting killingest dog I ever seen. We talked on a few hours, as we ate duck and drank wine. We were all looking forward for-the matches; we all had our pockets full of money to bet on the ones we liked. The next day before the last feeding, we drove the truck and dogs to the motel where everyone was staying. We got a large room for all the dog people to meet, talk, drink and smoke in. The dog talk was stories from every area in the U.S.A. A while after sunset, in drove two station wagons with five people in each car. It was the dog men from the West Coast. Freddy walked to the back of the station wagon and took out “Black Bart” on the end of a short lead. “Black Bart” was a tall dog with lots of muscle all over his body. Later, Freddy came to me in the talking room and said, “come see “Black Bart”. As we walked into their room, “Black Bart” was laying in the middle of the bed. There was four California people in the room with “Black Bart”; they were drinking and smoking. I knew, as soon as we open the door and walked in, that ” Black Bart” had himself in a bad spot. Freddy began talking to “Black Bart” to get him to stand so I could see him. As “Black Bart” stood, he began stretching his body in a way where he showed me so many strong muscles. It was as if he was putting on a show of his body as he stood and then licked Freddy in the face. After I left “Black Bart’s” room, I went to My room where my wife was with two dogs I had in crates. I told my wife, “Phyllis, this match with “Pit General” ant going to last an hour.” I said , that Black Bart is a strong made dog thats going to put out lots of fight, but, “Pit General” will have him eaten down in less than 45 minutes”.
One of the other dogs I had matched was an offspring of the pure Tudor bred “Nigger” dog. His name was Gormor his dam was the “Red Bill” family from Earl Tudor’s yard. I had another male called “‘Bobby”, that his sire was a dog called “Bogger Red” and his dam was a bitch called “‘Spring”, who she was “Pit General’s” belly mate sister. “Gormor” was matched into Gary Bull Plug Hammonds and his dog “Bruno” at 53 lbs. “Gormor” was a true 48 lb. Pit weight dog and had won one match at 48 lbs., a champion dog in the hands of Don Maloney called, “Bullet”. “Gormor” was a good fighting dog but, had little bad teeth. Bull Plug had won an off the chain match at 52 lbs. with “Bruno”. The dog “‘Bruno” and Gary had won over, had lost a at 42 lbs. and was weighing 52 lbs. chain fat. Gary had “Bruno” worked in good shape and killed the little 42lb.er near one hour. This was a big money match, it was the match we had more money on than any of the matches. In this area, the talk about these two dogs was being bet on in many areas. “Bruno”, the big hard biting 53 pounder, was the betting favorite when the match was made. Four weeks before the match,, the betting became even. Then, at pit side, “Gormor”, the 48lb. dog -became a 100 to 20 favorite over the 53 lb. ” Bruno” – The next night at Pitside, after the sun began to set, the people began to gather. The first match was “Pit General” and “Black Bart”; it was the West Coast dogmen matched into the Southwest dogmen.
The betting, at the weigh in and wash tubs, was being made one after another as the California people were calling all bets. I had bet all I had, then I turned to Freddy one more time and said, “You want to bet $500.00 more?” Freddy shook his head and said, “I think I am bet out”. When the dogs met in the center of the pit, “Black Bart”‘ became 100 to 75 favorite for the first 5 or 10 minutes. Then, “Pit General” evened up the bet as the dogs were biting it out, with one biting while the other was biting him. Near the 20 minute mark, “Pit General” became 100 to 50 favorite, as he got a deep hold in “Black Bart’s” shoulder. “Pit General” shook “Black Bart” off his feet and rooted in deeper and deeper till he broke “Black Bart’s” shoulder. “Pit General” then fast went into the rear end and broke “Black Bart’s” rear end. Then he was fast back into the broken shoulder. He took a deep hold between the chest and shoulder and rooted in deep. “Pit General” began biting, and shaking and chewing; then near 35 minutes, he began putting his front feet on “Black Bart”, pulling his hold. He was also getting hotter and hotter.
About this time, “Black Bart” took a hold and came up shaking. “Pit General” was fast to put “Black Bart” back on his back and again began working the same chest, shoulder hold. Near 40 minutes, “Pit General” shook “Black Bart” till he himself came off his feet. Then he put his front feet on “Bart’s” chest and pulled a piece of meat out of between “Bart’s” shoulder and chest as big as a mans fist. As he pulled the hunk of meat off of “Bart’s” body, he then turned his head up to, the light and swallowed the meat in front of over 200 people. Then “Pit General”‘ took another hold and began to shake as Freddy said, “that’s enough, we give it up”. When the match was over, Roland brought “Pit General” to his corner and handed him over the pit wall and said, “He’s the best dog I ever seen”. Jimmy Wimberly spoke up and said, “he’s much more dog than Tudor’s “Spike” was.” As we took “‘Pit General” and washed him up and cared for him under a light, a number of glory seeking came around to try and get as much of “Pit General’s” and Earl Tudor’s credit as they could get. “Black Bart” died in Freddy’s arms as he stepped out of the pit. The next match was “Gormor” and “‘Bruno” at 53 lbs.;
“Gormor weighed in at 50lb.s and “Bruno” at 511/2. The clean cut, college young man who owned, conditioned and was handling “Bruno” called himself Bull Plug. “Bruno” was washed first and taken to the pit. While “Gormor” was being washed, Bull Plug put “Bruno” to work in the pit doing tricks for the crowd. “Bruno” would roll over, sit up, bark on que and jump rope with Bull Plug. These two big dogs fought one another hard for near two hours; they scratched 10 or 15 times each. “Gormor”, throughout the match, was doing all the pushing and fast scratching with “Bruno” fighting defense and scratching very slow each scratch. At the end of the match, on “Bruno’s” last scratch, it took Bull Plug to the count of eight before he could get “Bruno”‘ to leave his line. Then, as soon as “Gormor” met “Bruno” a few feet from “Bruno’s” line, Bull Plug gave up the match. Soon after the match was over, Bull Plug left the pit with “Bruno” laying in the front seat, with his head laying in Bull Plug’s lap. On his way home to Ft. Worth, Texas, “Bruno” died with his head laying in his best friends lap.
Bull Plug took “Bruno’s” body home and buried him in his dog yard. This was in the fall of 1972. Then, a few years later, Bull Plug moved; he dug up the remains of “‘Bruno” and took him to their new place. Bull Plug buried “‘Bruno” and this time, he planted a tree on the grave and put a large red rock on the head of the grave. On the red rock in white letters, Bull Plug wrote these words; “Every man needs one good bulldog and this one was mine, “Bruno”; and he wrote his life time dates. This stone and tree can still be seen in Ft. Worth, Texas in Bull Plugs dog yard. The next match was males at 43 lbs. In this match, we North Texas dog men were matched into the “King of Bulldog Hill” in South Texas and his friends. We had a red rednose dog called “Bobby”. “Bobby” was bred out of Earl Tudor’s yard and was one of the dogs I bought from Danny Burton’s yard when I bought “General”. Maurice was using an outcrossed bred dog that was bred from some good bred dogs he had at one time. Maurices dog was a brindle dog called, Sambo”. Maurice came to me before the match, he said, “‘things ain’t been going to well in South Texas. Me and my friends ain’t got the match money and I ain’t got enough to pay forfeit. How about us matching for the gate money?”
Maurice and I had become good friends over the years and knew each other to the point where we knew who we in truth were. I told Maurice, “that’s fine; we’ll-fight for the gate”. The dog we had, “Bobby”, was a tall, long legged dog. He was young and had little time being schooled. “Sambo”, Maurice’s dog was a little low built, short legged, very strong dog. Within 5 minutes into the fight, Tommy Bryant , who was handling “Bobby”, got a bet on “Bobby”. Even though “Sambo” was the pushing dog and had already bit “Bobby” hard a few times; Tommy had to lay $300.00 to a $100.00 to get a bet. “Sambo”, within 10 minutes, had an artery cut high and low on ‘Bobbys” legs and at 16 minutes into the match, we gave it up as Bobby was going down fast from the amount of blood he had lost. “Bobby”‘ was to much of a dog to get killed for $300.00. The next match was a big money match with females at 27 pounds into a 29 pounder. We, the North Texas dog men, were matched into number of dog men from Tennessee. Billy Collins from Tennessee and had made this match a few months before in Mississippi at Leo Kinard’s place. Billy was a top rated boxer in Pro Boxing. He conditioned and handled his 29 lb. bitch and I conditioned and handled the 27 lb. bitch.
Billy’s bitch was called “Spot”; she was bred from Leo Kinard’s yard of Corvino breeding. I was using a female called “Sugar” that I had got as a pup from an X-FBI man called John cotton. John bred “Sugar”; she was sired by “Eli”, her dam was a corvino bred bitch. “Eli” was a dog that was bred different then his Pedigree showed him as bred. “Eli” was in truth a Corivino and Tudor bred dog of close family breeding. “Eli” had won one hard fought match in Mississippi, in the hands of Floyd Boudreaux, a tile setter deep in the cajun country of South Louisiana. “Eli’s” second match was in the hands of a sack – maker called, Jr. Bush, from Alabama. That match was Picked up when the show was busted by the Mississippi law. It was easy to see “Eli” was not the same dog as he was in his first match but, he was a lot of dog and still in the match real strong. After that match, “Eli” was deal to John Cotton in Tennessee. John was a man with lots of money and a few were trying to get in with him. Within a year or so after John had “Eli”, a number of young dogs sired by “Eli” began showing as good pit dogs.John had bred “Eli” to a number of his females with a number of pups on the ground; when “Eli” was stolen out of his kennel. John had sent me this female called “Sugar” because I tried to help him get “Eli” back. “Sugar” was near two years old and had been schooled good; Sugar” was as fast as any dog I had ever seen and she bit real hard. When we Pitted the little bitches, Billy Collin’s “Spot” was a I lb. heavy.
He lost his forfeit but, had two lbs. of weight with very small dogs. When we Pitted the bitches, “Sugar” met “Spot” in “Spot’s” corner and began biting her hard in the front end, then in the rear end. At 3 minutes, ” Spot” made a turn, at 7 minutes, we got a handle and “Spot” jumped the pit when it was her turn to scratch. The next match was between the North Texas dog men match into Floyd Boudreaux and his cajun friends from Louisiana. The match was males at 33 lbs. Floyd was using a dog bred off his yard called, “Elisha” a spotted buckskin dog that showed Floyd’s breeding. Tommy Bryant handled a dog of unknown breeding called “Fawnzie“. For 45 minutes it was “Elisha” top dog all the way with “Fawnzie” holding skin holds from the bottom. Near 50 minutes, “Fawnzie” made the first scratch hard into “Elishas”‘ mouth. At 55 minutes, it was “Elisha’s” turn to scratch and he stood for the count. When we made it home near two in the early morning, we went straight to bed.
Then, up at seven in the morning to take the dogs out of their crates. When I climbed into the back of the truck, “Pit General’s” crate door was standing about open and inside “Pit General’s” crate was no dog. Within the next 24 hours, I talked to a number of very interesting people about “Pit General”. they said they knew where “Pit General” was. Some said he was in Mexico, some said California, some said New York, some said Louisiana, some Mississippi, some Chicago, and some said Ohio. At that time, my friend on “Bulldog Hill”, in South Texas, was buying every black pup he could find. Maurice was selling black Pups for a hundred dollars more than the other Pups he sold. Each time he sold one, he would tell the buyer, “this pup is sired by “Pit General”, so keep the breeding to yourself”. The Indian Chief in California began telling everyone he knew where “Pit General was. A short time later, the Con of Bulldog Hill called the Indian. Then the Indian called me, then the Indian got out of the game for a few years. I don’t know what all Maurice, the king of “Bulldog Hill”, had told the Chief but the Chief was very upset when I last talked with him. “Pit General,” was talked about from then till now. someday it will be proven, as the truth of the past always becomes proven; just as it did with “Eli”.
When we’re playing the game, we Play it the way we know how to play; then years later, the truth of many things of the past is proven. Today, we’re playing the game, than years later we look back and say we should have done it like one way or another and maybe we would have learned more. Many times when we play the game, we stray from the truth. Not just a few of us but, the very large percent of us do sometime stray from the truth. Then, in later years, the truth becomes proven and it has a way of making one a bit sick if they were one of the ones who strayed to far from that truth. it’s a sickening feeling but, the most of us get over it within time. Then there’s also a percent who never want to admit to the truth and spent their last days in fear. Today, truth is being proven by many of each generation of our past. Books are being written about the many ones who have climbed high on the mountain called “Lookout”.’ John F. Kennedy is having a number of books and movies of the man he was. Frank S. is a man that has climbed so near the top, already while he’s still alive, books are being written of him. The higher we climb the mountain, the more we prove ourselves. If one never does any climbing, they never get the chance to prove their true gameness. The truth of all of us will be proven as we climb the mountain in all games, no matter what game; a movie star, a dogfighter, a dog lover or a president. All games of life. The ones who climb the mountain are proven truth. We all, at a time, live in the pits of hell and high on the mountain as more will be proven true about that person. Mountain climbing and proving truth is a-way of life that comes after a climber has played in one game for a number of years and reached a peak in that game. How high anyone climbs in any game of life is up to the gameness within that climber. It’s like in the game of “American Gamedogs”, are many owners who own a game bred dog and they-would never reach a point where they would pit one of thir dogs in a real match. Then, there’s others who climb of different levels of the mountain within the game.
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