MySpace Trial Ends

The MySpace suicide trail ended today with three guilty verdicts against Lori Drew, the 49 year old Missouri woman who created a fake MySpace account to torment 13 year old Megan Meier who ended up killing herself. Lori Drew was not convicted on the more serious felony charges of using a computer to intentionally inflict emotional distress on Megan Meier. Megan's mother Tina Meier spoke to the media at a press conference after the trial. She told the media she wished for guilty verdicts on all four felonies against Drew, but called the three convictions "a victory." She also said "this is not about vengeance," "this is about justice for Megan."

Click here for my LA Weekly slideshow.

Photos by Ted Soqui c 2008

Photographer Nick Ut Loves The Rain

World famous AP photographer, Nick Ut, loves the rain. While waiting outside the US Federal Courthouse in the rain for the verdict in the Myspace suicide case to come in, Nick was the only media person to smile and embrace the heavy rain fall. He was truly happy about it.

Photo by Ted Soqui c 2008

Santa Barbara Fire Started By Teen Bonfire

The LA Times is reporting that the Montecito "Tea Fire" was started by ten teen agers, on top of a hill and abandoned Montecito party spot called the "Tea House", trying to keep warm then leaving the bonfire they set to burn out. The fire's embers continued to burn for 12 hours, then were carried by the notorious "sundowner" winds of Santa Barbara. The fire destroyed over 250 luxury homes and injured 25 people. The Santa Barbara D.A.'s office has not charged the teens yet. The teens are local students from an unidentified school. Westmont College, a Christian College, is down the street from where the fire began. The teens have been reported to be cooperative and did not intend to start the fire according to the LA Times and Santa Barbara D.A.'s office.

Photo by Ted Soqui c 2008

Oakridge Residents Return To See Their Homes

Several Oakridge Park Mobile Home residents came back to the mobile home park to retrieve property from their homes. Many sifted through the ashes for hours finding small momentos, jewelry, cups and dishes, and photos. Most of their belonging burned up in the quick moving blaze. Many residents said they would not move back into the park.

Photos by Ted Soqui c 2008

Yorba Linda "Freeway Complex Fire"

Views from the "Freeway Complex Fire" in the city of Yorba Linda, birthplace of Richard M. Nixon.

Photos by Ted Soqui c 2008

Oakridge Mobile Home Park Fire Aftermath

A small community of mobile homes in the Sylmar area of Los Angeles was completely destroyed by wild fire. Over 500 domiciles were leveled by the quick moving "Sayre Fire." The mobile home park was closed off to media later in the day as police officials have labeled the area a possible crime scene. Cadaver dogs and search and rescue team are expected to enter the park on Sunday and search the park for human remains and possible arson.

Photos by Ted Soqui c 2008

Montecito Fire 11-14-2008

Day 2 of the Tea fire in Montecito. My boots and pants caught fire briefly, made for an eventful morning, thank God for duct tape. Most of the wind is gone and the fire is mainly out. LA is expected to have Santa Ana wind conditions over the next couple of days.

Click here to see the a LA Weekly slide show of my photos.

Photos by Ted Soqui c 2008

Montecito Fire 11-13-2008

Photos from the Santa Barbara/Montecito fire.

Click here to see a LA Weekly slide show of my photos.

Photos by Ted Soqui c 2008

Hundreds March To Repeal Prop 8

Hundreds of Gay and strait citizens took to the streets and marched around the Mormon Temple in West LA to repeal prop 8, the California ballot measure that would ban same-sex marriage. The Mormon church, who are against same-sex marriage provided up to 15 million dollars to promote the ballot measure which was passed by California voters yesterday. Protesters are calling for the Mormon church's 501(c)(3) status to be overturned do the political advocating of the ballot measure. This is the second day of protesting.

Here's the slideshow on the LA Weekly site.

Photos by Ted Soqui c 2008

LA Celebrates Obama Presidential Win

Thousands of LA area residents filled the main ballroom of the Century City Hyatt Regency Hotel to watch large TV screens of Barack Obama winning his bid for US president 

LA, yes we did!

Photos by Ted Soqui c 2008

VOTE!

Vote for change.

Photos by Ted Soqui c 2008