The Nicholas Alahverdian Story

[Catfish Jim & spd]

According to a "notorius paedophile", Arthur Knight is treated poorly in prison. I'm not sure what that has to with extraditing him to another country.

The Independent: Rossi ‘treated abysmally’ in prison, fellow inmate tells extradition hearing

On Friday, William King, 59, gave evidence by video-link on Rossi’s treatment in prison.

He told the court: “He’s been treated abysmally. He was left on the floor and told, ‘Get up, you can f****** walk.’

“He pleaded for help, he has been refused.

“Nurses say there is nothing wrong with him.”

According to the testimony of the prison's doctor, there is nothing wrong with him and he doesn't need a wheelchair, so it shouldn't be surprising that nurses might say this.

The hearing has been adjourned until July 12 when the closing submission of the crown will be heard.

Tom Mooney of The Providence Journal has a nice write-up of the week's events. I enjoyed this bit:

On Wednesday, a prison psychiatrist and a hospital doctor who each assessed Alahverdian (who is being held under a surname he once used, Rossi) testified that his behavior, particularly his adversarial interactions with medical and prison staff, suggested he has a personality disorder.

But, the doctors said, he did not have any diagnosed mental illness that would be a barrier to him returning to the United States.

The doctors used various adjectives to describe Alahverdian's behavior, including deceitful, obstructive, abusive, manipulative, aggressive, confrontational, evasive, disruptive, controlling and agitated.

Just pop him in general... should work out fine.

[The Garbage Scow]

Those are some great adjectives.

[Giraffe Stapler]

What other media outlets called "a black legal gown" or "legal robe" is in fact "a black robe and skullcap traditionally worn by Orthodox Jewish men", according to the Daily Mail.

Daily Mail: Rape suspect Nicholas Rossi who 'faked his own death before fleeing the US' is being treated 'abysmally' in prison, fellow inmate claims - after he's seen leaving court in shackles, skullcap and robe having converted to Orthodox Judaism behind bars

That's not a quote. The headline really is that long.

Fugitive Nicholas Alahverdian - aka Nicholas Rossi, 35 - attended the final day of his extradition hearing at Edinburgh's Sheriff Court wearing a black robe and skullcap traditionally worn by Orthodox Jewish men.

Rhode Island resident Rossi, who previously described himself as 'Anglo-Catholic', converted to Judaism behind bars at HMP Edinburgh Saughton Prison.

Compare that to this:

Rossi, who arrived at court wearing a black legal gown and skullcap, claims he is an Irish orphan named Arthur Knight. But a sheriff ruled last November he is Nicholas Rossi.

That was how it was phrased last week in the... uh, the Daily Mail. Never mind.

[eppur si muove]

The BBC also claims he converted to Judaism and it's just as crap there. I've checked with friends and conversions take two years or more. Non-orthodox sects have less lengthy processes but they would even if Alahverdian had bene accepted by one of those, they wouldn't encourage dressing in fancy dress. But given that the wheelchair and oxygen cylinders have equally bene used as fancy dress props, only a fool would regard his clothing as indicative of anything other than his playing a new game.

[Giraffe Stapler]

The BBC also claims he converted to Judaism and it's just as crap there. I've checked with friends and conversions take two years or more. Non-orthodox sects have less lengthy processes but they would even if Alahverdian had bene accepted by one of those, they wouldn't encourage dressing in fancy dress. But given that the wheelchair and oxygen cylinders have equally bene used as fancy dress props, only a fool would regard his clothing as indicative of anything other than his playing a new game.

It's very clearly a judicial robe (sometimes also used as a graduation gown).

[Vigilant]

I'm sure that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has heaved a collective sigh of relief.

[The Garbage Scow]

[eppur si muove]

Getting the media to correct errors in their reports is like getting Italian stewards to admit their mistakes. I did finally get the BBC to change something.

Thank you for your further correspondence about the BBC News Online story headlined:
“Nicholas Rossi’s mental health ‘should not stop extradition’ – expert” https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-66037139
We have looked again at the article in light of your additional points.
Following a review of the sources we use to write our court cases – including specialist agency reporters which other mainstream news organisations use – we are in a position to attribute the religious reference to Mr Rossi.
The sentence which reads: “Mr Rossi has converted to Judaism while in prison” has been changed to: “Mr Rossi has told how he converted to Judaism while on remand in prison.”
We are satisfied that this attribution gives clarity, but does not change the substance of the story. It is very important our court reports are a true account of what is said before a judge and jury and that they do not contain non-court room judgements about an accused.
We hope you accept our explanation and are happy with the action we have taken.

This is better than it was but of course conversions to Judaism, certainly to sects that dress in the style that Alahverdian is cosplaying, takes much longer than the man has been in prison. Surprisingly the Wikipedia article Conversion to Judaism (T-H-L) tallies with what religious friends of mine have told me.

Life is too long to get all the other reports corrected.

[iii]

Getting the media to correct errors in their reports is like getting Italian stewards to admit their mistakes. I did finally get the BBC to change something.

That's quite the achievement. I once got the writer of an article to write back to me after complaining about incorrect assertions in their article, but that's as far as they were willing to go... acknowledging my existence. Almost every other attempted correspondence I have tried over the years has had a response of crickets.

Corrections? Modifying the sentence? Never in my wildest dreams!

Maybe that's the difference between American and British media? Or maybe you're just much better at writing these outlets than I am.

[eppur si muove]

That's quite the achievement. I once got the writer of an article to write back to me after complaining about incorrect assertions in their article, but that's as far as they were willing to go... acknowledging my existence. Almost every other attempted correspondence I have tried over the years has had a response of crickets.

Corrections? Modifying the sentence? Never in my wildest dreams!

Maybe that's the difference between American and British media? Or maybe you're just much better at writing these outlets than I am.

Thank you. It did require a second iteration after the complaints department's initial response that the article was a true and accurate report of proceedings in court. Now that the claim that Nick the violent sex criminal has converted has been identified as one of his claims, it can be filed along with his other claims that he is dead, that he is an Irish orphan, that he needs a wheelchair, that he was tattooed in his hospital bed etc etc in the "he lies even more than Johnson and Trump" file..

[Hemiauchenia]

Getting the media to correct errors in their reports is like getting Italian stewards to admit their mistakes. I did finally get the BBC to change something.

That's quite the achievement. I once got the writer of an article to write back to me after complaining about incorrect assertions in their article, but that's as far as they were willing to go... acknowledging my existence. Almost every other attempted correspondence I have tried over the years has had a response of crickets.

Corrections? Modifying the sentence? Never in my wildest dreams!

Maybe that's the difference between American and British media? Or maybe you're just much better at writing these outlets than I am.

This is part of why I find the reverence that Wikipedians treat news media with so annoying. Obviously newspaper articles are much better sources than a random guy's blogpost, but also the factchecking newspaper articles receive is probably not as stringent as most Wikipedia editors would like to think. For technical topics like science they are often next to useless.

[eppur si muove]

Absolutely.

[Zoloft]

Getting the media to correct errors in their reports is like getting Italian stewards to admit their mistakes. I did finally get the BBC to change something.

That's quite the achievement. I once got the writer of an article to write back to me after complaining about incorrect assertions in their article, but that's as far as they were willing to go... acknowledging my existence. Almost every other attempted correspondence I have tried over the years has had a response of crickets.

Corrections? Modifying the sentence? Never in my wildest dreams!

Maybe that's the difference between American and British media? Or maybe you're just much better at writing these outlets than I am.

This is part of why I find the reverence that Wikipedians treat news media with so annoying. Obviously newspaper articles are much better sources than a random guy's blogpost, but also the factchecking newspaper articles receive is probably not as stringent as most Wikipedia editors would like to think. For technical topics like science they are often next to useless.

Every time I've had a reporter write an article about me or an organization I represented, the article contained substantial errors. So I started giving them press releases and technical handouts. This only slightly improved the results. When I had a brief stint as a technical reporter for a now-defunct online magazine, I made a practice of sending the final draft to the subject for review. My colleague used to protest, "That's not journalism." I'd reply, "I come from a profession with an appetite for accuracy."

[Beeblebrox]

I may have mentioned this before, but Ted Bundy was another person who "converted" several times for their own selfish needs. When he was in Utah, he was a Mormon. When he went to prison he was a Hindu because they get better food. When he was facing execution in Florida he was a repentant Christian and made a video blaming his horrendous crimes on porn on behalf of notorious garbage human James Dobson (T-H-L), which I presume passed a lot of the time as he sat around waiting to die. He even offered to put himself in on more murders if they would just not kill him. They didn't go for it.

Sociopaths only real belief is that they are the most important person alive and anything they have to do to protect themselves is ok, no matter who it hurts.

[Vigilant]

Every time I've had a reporter write an article about me or an organization I represented, the article contained substantial errors. So I started giving them press releases and technical handouts. This only slightly improved the results. When I had a brief stint as a technical reporter for a now-defunct online magazine, I made a practice of sending the final draft to the subject for review. My colleague used to protest, "That's not journalism." I'd reply, "I come from a profession with an appetite for accuracy."

Every time I've given something as mundane as scores from a sporting event, these guys seem to get things wrong.

[Beeblebrox]

A paper here wrote up the company I used to own, including a picture of me standing in front of a vehicle with the company name on it, while wearing a hoodie that also had the company name on it. I had also given her business card with the company name on it. You see where this is going....they got the name of the company wrong. The reporter ... I guess thought what we had on the hoodies, and the vehicles, and the business cards was shorthand for what she imagined the full name of the company to be.

I found out soon after that she was also notorious for having a complete crying meltdown if anyone criticized her work, so I didn't even bother asking for a correction. I don't think she was really cut out for journalism.

[Giraffe Stapler]

Arthur Knight was in court again today for the delivery of his lawyer's closing statement. To no one's surprise, he tried to further delay the proceedings.

Sky News: Nicholas Rossi attempts to dismiss his lawyer during extradition hearing over rape charges

Rossi said twice that he wanted to "dismiss counsel" which drew a warning from sheriff Norman McFadyen.

He told Rossi: "If you are disruptive I will have you removed from court."

The hearing continued following the brief adjournment with no further mention of Rossi's demands.

The Sheriff is expected to deliver a ruling next week, but based on what I have observed about Scottish legal proceedings, I'm not holding out much hope that this won't be yet another pointless status meeting with a decision to be announced at some later date.

[Beeblebrox]

You'd think they would want to be rid of him by now. Just pack him off to Utah already. He should be converting to Mormonism himself if he was really thinking ahead.

[Vigilant]

You'd think they would want to be rid of him by now. Just pack him off to Utah already. He should be converting to Mormonism himself if he was really thinking ahead.

He's already done that once.

[Beeblebrox]

You'd think they would want to be rid of him by now. Just pack him off to Utah already. He should be converting to Mormonism himself if he was really thinking ahead.

He's already done that once.

I priobably should've guessed that.

[Ron Lybonly]

I may have mentioned this before, but Ted Bundy was another person who "converted" several times for their own selfish needs. When he was in Utah, he was a Mormon. When he went to prison he was a Hindu because they get better food. When he was facing execution in Florida he was a repentant Christian and made a video blaming his horrendous crimes on porn on behalf of notorious garbage human James Dobson (T-H-L), which I presume passed a lot of the time as he sat around waiting to die. He even offered to put himself in on more murders if they would just not kill him. They didn't go for it.

Sociopaths only real belief is that they are the most important person alive and anything they have to do to protect themselves is ok, no matter who it hurts.

https://arresteddevelopment.fandom.com/ ... onversions
George Bluth became a prominent Jewish televangelist in prison:

[Anroth]

I'm halal while flying.

It helps I look like a terrorist to US customs anyway so I might as well enjoy the better food.

[Beeblebrox]

I'm halal while flying.

It helps I look like a terrorist to US customs anyway so I might as well enjoy the better food.

we must be flying on different airlines. I haven't eaten a hot meal on a plane in at least fifteen years. I assume the people who actually buy the overpriced sky garbage food are just bored.

On the other hand, the Alaska Lounge at SEATAC has great food and free booze.

[Anroth]

I'm halal while flying.

It helps I look like a terrorist to US customs anyway so I might as well enjoy the better food.

we must be flying on different airlines. I haven't eaten a hot meal on a plane in at least fifteen years. I assume the people who actually buy the overpriced sky garbage food are just bored.

On the other hand, the Alaska Lounge at SEATAC has great food and free booze.

I'm UK based, so most of my flights tend to be long distance - I train to most of Europe.

If it's over 5 hours I want a meal and snacks.

[Vigilant]

I travel internationally a fair amount and there's always at least one hot meal.

[The Blue Newt]

“Tom Mooney of The Providence Journal has a nice write-up of the week's events. I enjoyed this bit:
On Wednesday, a prison psychiatrist and a hospital doctor who each assessed Alahverdian (who is being held under a surname he once used, Rossi) testified that his behavior, particularly his adversarial interactions with medical and prison staff, suggested he has a personality disorder.

But, the doctors said, he did not have any diagnosed mental illness that would be a barrier to him returning to the United States.

The doctors used various adjectives to describe Alahverdian's behavior, including deceitful, obstructive, abusive, manipulative, aggressive, confrontational, evasive, disruptive, controlling and agitated.”

Those are some great adjectives.

Presidential timber.

[Zoloft]

“Tom Mooney of The Providence Journal has a nice write-up of the week's events. I enjoyed this bit:
On Wednesday, a prison psychiatrist and a hospital doctor who each assessed Alahverdian (who is being held under a surname he once used, Rossi) testified that his behavior, particularly his adversarial interactions with medical and prison staff, suggested he has a personality disorder.

But, the doctors said, he did not have any diagnosed mental illness that would be a barrier to him returning to the United States.

The doctors used various adjectives to describe Alahverdian's behavior, including deceitful, obstructive, abusive, manipulative, aggressive, confrontational, evasive, disruptive, controlling and agitated.”

Those are some great adjectives.

Presidential timber.

Prospective clumsy serial killer.

[Giraffe Stapler]

Edinburgh Live: Edinburgh prisoner who faked death handed £40k of taxpayers' cash to fight US extradition

The Scottish Legal Aid Board said the total cost of his extradition so far - £39,780 - did not include six recent days of court time earlier this month and last month meaning the final bill will be much higher.

Rossi - who’s Bristol born wife Miranda Knight has stood by him - was only awarded legal aid last August after submitting bank statements to show he’d spent £30,000 of his own funds on fees.

I wonder how glad Scotland will be to get rid of this guy?

[Giraffe Stapler]

Nicholas Alahverdian's stepfather David Rossi was interviewed by the Daily Mail.

Daily Mail: EXCLUSIVE: Fugitive rape suspect Nicholas Rossi - who faked his own death before being caught in Scotland - was an 'evil, devil's spawn child' who 'always played the victim', says his Engelbert Humperdinck impersonator stepfather

Describing his estranged stepson as 'the devil's spawn' was an 'evil' child who punched his mother and grandmother.

Despite a traumatic childhood - Alahverdian's biological father was a violent heroin addict - Rossi says he has no time for his stepson's sob stories.

'He will get extradited,' he says. 'He's not going to get away with this.'

[eppur si muove]

I notice that the article says:

His court appearances have grown increasingly comical, most recently when he replaced his trademark pinstripe suit with a black robe and skullcap and claimed to have converted to Judaism while in prison.

That makes the supposedly unreliable Mail more accurate than the supposedly reliable BBC.

[The Garbage Scow]

Jack Hagop Alahverdian seems to have moved to Maine at some point, where he is often reported in various police blotters for activities ranging from domestic assault, simple assault and threatening, to driving with plates meant for another vehicle and no driver's license. The seed didn't fall too far from the tree.

[Giraffe Stapler]

Jack Hagop Alahverdian seems to have moved to Maine at some point, where he is often reported in various police blotters for activities ranging from domestic assault, simple assault and threatening, to driving with plates meant for another vehicle and no driver's license. The seed didn't fall too far from the tree.

It has been reported that Jack Alahverdian died in 2021. A quick Google search did nothing to confirm that, but perhaps no one placed an obituary in a local paper.

[The Garbage Scow]

Jack Hagop Alahverdian seems to have moved to Maine at some point, where he is often reported in various police blotters for activities ranging from domestic assault, simple assault and threatening, to driving with plates meant for another vehicle and no driver's license. The seed didn't fall too far from the tree.

It has been reported that Jack Alahverdian died in 2021. A quick Google search did nothing to confirm that, but perhaps no one placed an obituary in a local paper.

He doesn't strike me as the type who is mourned.

[Giraffe Stapler]

Today's the day! Sheriff McFadyen will deliver his decision about extradition! Warm up the jet!

Wait...what?

Daily Record; US fugitive Nicholas Rossi has extradition hearing postponed as no new date set

A court hearing for a rape suspect fighting extradition to the US has been postponed on medical grounds.

[Vigilant]

I knew they shouldn’t have let him have that home trepanning kit in his cell.

[Sophie]

Adjourned until 2 August due to him being hospitalised following positive Covid test.
link

[eppur si muove]

Adjourned until 2 August due to him being hospitalised following positive Covid test.
link

If it wasn't for his previous history of hospitalisation with covid, I would expect malingering. I would still expect him to attempt to get hold of more oxygen cylinders etc as part of his cosplaying a seriously ill Jew.

[Giraffe Stapler]

The Scottish Sun is reporting that Arthur Knight tested positive for COVID and went to hospital this week but is already back recovering in the comfort of prison.

Scottish Sun: 'FACE THE MUSIC' US fugitive Nicholas Rossi blasted by family for dodging extradition hearing after catching Covid

The rape suspect’s recent diagnosis saw him dodge his make-or-break extradition hearing.

After a short hospital visit earlier in the week Rossi was hauled back to Edinburgh’s Saughton nick to recuperate in “isolation”.

An insider said: “Rossi took unwell which initially raised a few eyebrows given he has a history for complaining of mystery illnesses.

“However he later was tested which showed he did in fact have Covid.

“He spent some time in hospital but his condition was not as bad as when he first caught it in 2021.

“So any hopes he had of enjoying some time in more comfortable surroundings went out the window.

“He was taken back to prison where arrangements had been made to isolate him while he recovered.”

A new hearing has been scheduled for 2 August.

[Catfish Jim & spd]

link

An American fugitive who faked his own death can be extradited from Scotland to his homeland, a sheriff has ruled.

[Anroth]

Prepare to be huckled onto a plane Nicky...

[The Garbage Scow]

Prepare to be huckled onto a plane Nicky...

I predict an increase in the rate of religious conversions and mysterious illnesses.

[Hereandthere]

He can’t appeal con he? If he can’t… how soon can he be on the plane?

[Boing! said Zebedee]

He can’t appeal con he? If he can’t… how soon can he be on the plane?

They haven't actually decided to extradite him. The court has just ruled that there isn't a legal barrier, and it's now up to Scottish ministers to decide.

It might be time to put the celebratory beer in the fridge, but not open it just yet.

[eppur si muove]

In theory there's a long way to go after that. Here's an example of an extradition decision being quashed three and a half years after the minister agreed to it. link However, I suspect That James Craig had more popular support than our Nick and didn't go through lawyers at the same pace.

[Hereandthere]

Oh boy! Beer in fridge. Popcorn on order

[Hereandthere]

So there’s gonna be another hearing soon then?

[eppur si muove]

So there’s gonna be another hearing soon then?

There are at least two higher levels of court that can be appealed to. Sometimes leave to appeal has to be granted. SO potentially there is a decision by a court whether to hear a case. Once the path to appeal on whether the court has made the tight decision on whether N can legally be extradited has been exhausted, a minister can then approve or deny the extradition. There is then a potential for judicial review of the minister's decision. There is potential for a human rights overview as well. I'm sure N will try all he can but whether the legal system will play ball is another matter

[Vigilant]

Marker down: The court will decline to hear his case.

[Hereandthere]

Thanks for clarifying:)

[Zoloft]

Found this short:


link

It's amusing.