Hollister -- Richard James Thomas -- Press Clips

[quade 4]

http://www.whittierdailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,207%257E12026%257E1067190,00.html

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Skydiving teacher arrested in connection with rape


A Hollister skydiving instructor has been arrested in connection with the rape of a 22-year-old prostitute, police say.

Richard James Thomas was arrested early Friday and was being held on suspicion of attempted murder, kidnapping with intent to commit rape and other charges, police said. He was being held without bail at the Oakland City Jail.

Thomas was caught when an off-duty police officer encountered his car. The partially clothed woman escaped from his car and jumped into the police car.

Police said the San Francisco woman, who said she was earning money to pay for college, was attacked during her second night working on Oakland's streets.

She was jolted several times with a stun gun and raped repeatedly, police said.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[jfields 0]

Paul,

I don't even know what to say about this one. Definitely nothing good.

Sad situation, all the way around.

[jtval 0]

Crazy people arent supposed to skydive!
if in fact this guy is guilty they need to do more then take his wings away!

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[quade 4]

Well, it -should- be pointed out that it's pretty much a he-said-she-said thing at this point.

Don't pass judgement too quickly.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[jfields 0]

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it's pretty much a he-said-she-said thing at this point

Well, without passing judgement, it is still sad. If it isn't true, then it is sad that someone would resort to making such harsh false allegations. If it is true, than it is sad that someone would do such things.

All I'm saying is that, either way, it isn't good. As to which way it turns out, that is for the courts to decide....

[jtval 0]

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it's pretty much a he-said-she-said thing at this point

Well, without passing judgement, it is still sad. If it isn't true, then it is sad that someone would resort to making such harsh false allegations. If it is true, than it is sad that someone would do such things.

All I'm saying is that, either way, it isn't good. As to which way it turns out, that is for the courts to decide....

well believe it! my boss(retired friday) called sexism twice in her career. and although I wasnt there. I know the kinda of person she is! Even if the guys were innocent their careers were ruined just by the allegation! sometimes its not about being discriminated against or abused; its about trying to steal power! I wish it was legal to shoot ppl like this.

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[jfields 0]

JT,

I never said it couldn't happen. I do believe it does. Like Quade said, in this particular case, we don't know what happened yet.

The workplace has been historically sexist against women. In many ways, it still is. However, that is now interspersed with occasions where false accusations carry more weight than the truth, making life a living hell for innocent people. I look forward to the day when the oscillations damp down and we have a truly harassment-free workplace. I don't know that it will happen in my lifetime. Too many differing opinions on what constitutes "harassment".

[jtval 0]

Jus,
I wasnt wanting that to sound as if you didnt believe it
IO was just pionting out that the assholeI had to work for was one of the False Cases. I know that her "ASSAILANTS" were investigated and the cases were dropped!

the way I see it there are 2 scenarios here.
The one stated by the Girl or:
she saw this guy coming thought about making some money and decided against it at the last moment.
I dont know why the Stun gun was used IF AT ALL.
but the news isnt always the truth.
I am not aiming that comment at you Justin, just to the masses who may be confused/or sheep

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[Deuce 1]

Just add this to the long list of reasons not to have sex with prostitutes.

Oh, and "no" means "no". Even with prostitutes.

Sordid and stupid. All the way around.

[diverdriver 7]

Now what the hell does his being a skydiving instructor have anything to do with this case? Did he meet her at the DZ? Did he get her into the car with the promise of free jumps? I find it frustrating that the press is using this to show the public how "deviant" skydivers must be to be involved in jumping from perfectly good aircraft. Seen this before in Missouri.

And I'll bet that if it ends up on the TV news it'll get more air time than the 300-way did. F'n BS.

[/rant]

Chris

[wmw999 2,589]

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Now what the hell does his being a skydiving instructor have anything to do with this case

Absolutely nothing. But it grabs attention, and it's at least accurate apparently. The headline would say "local businessman" if it were someone semi-prominent, "city councilman" or "teacher" if that were the case, etc. etc.

Depending on how much space they have for the headline, where the story is, and the like. If there were someone involved with skydiving in the newsroom, it would seem less noteworthy, and a little less likely to be headlined that way. But only a little.

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[jfields 0]

I tend to agree with Wendy.

In this case, "skydiver" could simply be cited at the person's occupation, without anything further being meant by it. It can just be a descriptive detail about an individual. Just like saying "a truck driver", " a shoe salesman" or whatever else, doesn't imply a link between the profession and the activity.

Not everything is a media conspiracy, just some of it.

[diablopilot 2]

http://www.oaklandtribune.com/Stories/0,1413,82%257E1726%257E1066617,00.html

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You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

[quade 4]

Should be interesting to see who's guilty here.

Her story is very compelling, but his hasn't really been told yet.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[Shark 0]

Not trying to be funny, but, did he pay her prior to the alledged act?

[happythoughts 0]

"Police said the San Francisco woman, who said she was earning money to pay for college,..."

Oh yeah... college girl...

The Made-For-Tv special "Weirdos on Parade"

"Hi there, I'm a freak... I'll give you an extra $20 if I can shock you with this stunner..."

"I'm really an actress... Me and Wynona are just researching our movie parts... could I sell you this bridge..."

[Deuce 1]

Such a sad trial:

"Isn't it true, Shyqueetah, that you agreed to have intercourse with my client for the sum of one hundred dollars"

"Yeah. But I didn't say nothin about him f*cking me up the *ss while he put that cattle-prod upside my head!"

"Objection!"

[Sebazz1 2]

Let's be careful to not be too insensitive here folks.

Let me tell you why... ok?

I have no idea what just happened here. But the Rick I know and the Rick many people posting here on this very site know is one hell of a guy. And not to say the above articles look way way bad, I ask everyone to be a little more sensitive. The Rick I know has always been an immaculate professional at the DZ. Selflessly(yes in bold!) helping people in many many ways. From coaching, to packing, and to personal issues. The articles above depict some completely different person. So I ask everyone to leave this thread alone till we find out more. It's very distrubing to me as it is to many other people reading this information. Wierd shit is all I can say. But please just leave it for now. I am not saying he is innocent or what ever. Just leave it for now.

Let it go and wait...