Justin Denney, Ashton Kutcher, Wicked Attraction, David Lohr, etc.

June 18, 2009

I was going to write about Justin Denney today. He’s a student from Bonny Eagle High School in Standish, Maine, who was denied his diploma for blowing a kiss to his mother. However, every time I attempted to start it I got sidetracked on something else. (Blame Ashton Kutcher and his darn Twitter!). Seriously though, I looked at my to-do list and realized it is getting a bit long. For those of you not aware, I am not just a blogger and talent for Investigation Discovery. I am also an Interactive Producer for the network. I work on a variety of projects and most recently finished putting together a Bonnie and Clyde package, which you can check out here.

Earlier today, I began updating our Wicked Attraction fansite. Season 2 is set to begin on Thursday, July 9, at 9:00 p.m. I am actually starring in one of the episodes. In January, M2Pictures flew me to Hampton, Va., where they interviewed me on camera about the Theresa Cross case. I don't yet know the air date of that particular episode, but I should be getting the new episode guide within the next few days. I will be sure to post it here when I do.

As far as what else I am doing ... later this month, on June 28, I will be in Johnstown, N.Y., for the Kellisue Ackernecht search. Regular readers will recall that Kellisue is the missing mom who disappeared without a trace on Oct. 1, 2008. Volunteers are still needed for that search. Anyone interested in participating can get more information at findkellisue.wordpress.com. I hope to see some of you there.

I will be MIA from this blog in August. It has been over two-years since I have had a vacation, so I am pretty burned out and desperate to get out of here for a break. I am thinking Orlando, Fla., but am still undecided.

So what else… Oh yeah, on August 9 at 4:00 p.m., I will be a guest on Talk Forensics, a popular radio talk show about forensic science and crime scene investigation. Recent guests include, Dr. Michael Baden, Dr. Kathy Reichs and international fingerprint expert Pat Wertheim. For more information, visit the station’s official Web site at www.blogtalkradio.com/TalkForensics.

In case you missed my announcement yesterday, I am now on Twitter. You can find my profile here. And for those of you interested, I am also on MySpace, CrimeSpace, YouTube, Facebook and even Xbox live:

Finally, if you missed my commercials on ID, I am excited to let you know that they will soon be available on ID's YouTube page. As soon as they get posted there, I will let you know. In the meantime, be sure to check out the other videos there.

That's all folks!

PS: Be sure to check out the link I posted earlier today to the 2009 human trafficking report that was just put out by the U.S. Department of State. It is definitely worth a read.

Photo Credits: David Lohr: ID; Wicked Attraction: ID; Beach: freeimages.co.uk; Xbox: Xbox Live

Comments

[Sheila]

Great post. Informative, interesting, and exciting. Couldn't put my finger on what was missing in your earlier posts, but I felt that you were being very modest, and good writers probably need to really showcase their talent. I realized your other responsibilities and was sure happy the other way, but this new style is icing on the cake. Thanks!

[Sheila]

Sorry. Incidentally, I have never watched I. D. After visiting numerous websites at the onset of the Anthony case, I was pleased with your presentation and became a big fan (except when studies dictate total abstinence) Would like to see the You Tube videos.

[KimWin]

About the denying of the diploma; I thought I would share with you some info I know from 10 years of teaching highschool.
If a student misbehaves during graduation ceremony, they are pulled from the ceremony and do not recieve their diploma at that time. They usually can pick it up a few weeks later. The school doesn't take it away forever. They also have their transcript that shows they completed high school. :)

[CARL HOFFSES]

THANK YOU.
PLEASE PUSH MY SON JUSTIN DENNEY'S STORY TO NATIONAL HEADLINES.

HE IS A GOOD KID, IF YOU MET HIM YOU WOULD LOVE HIM. AS YOU SEE HE IS VERY SPECIAL.
HE STOOD IN FRONT OF FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND 4000 QUEST....AND TOOK HIS PUBLIC BEATING LIKE A CHAMPION!!!
NO REBELLION, NO ARGUING,HE DID'NT RUN AWAY...
NO HE HUMBLEY WALKED AWAY IN PERFECT SILENCE AND TOOK HIS SEAT, HE DID'NT WANT TO UPSET THE GRADUATION.
JUSTIN'S DAD

[Justin's Mom]

I guess you are not aware, but my son did not act out. She ASSUMED he was. I only hope nothing like that happens to someone else's child who work hard to get to that point in ther life to have it taking away at the last second. He is not known as a trouble maker, and should not have been treated as such. She should appoligize for her assumptions and pre-judgement. He is a good kid who has gone through a lot and came out on top. She shouldn't have taking that moment away from our family. All the kids on stage that night were good kids. How many graduations have you been to? There was only a few beach balls and that was it. I have seen much worse.

Just a little more history on Justin Denney. He has one leg 3/4 shorter than the other and was involved in many sports especially track. He is an amazing runner. I couldn't be more proud!

I hope this make you and others think before judging someone before you know the whole story.

PS. She (superintendent) has had some indiscretion that will come out.