Biden on Trump indictment: ‘No Comment’

By CASEY HARPER THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) –President Joe Biden responded to reporters Friday when asked about former President Donald Trump’s historic indictment.

“I have no comment on Trump,” he told reporters as he was leaving Washington, D.C. for Mississippi. When asked a follow up about whether he is worried about potential protests over the indictment, President Biden said, “No. I’m not going to talk about the Trump indictment.”

A New York grand jury indicted Mr. Trump on Thursday.

As The Center Square previously reported, prosecutors presented evidence that Mr. Trump allegedly paid hush money to adult film star Stormy Daniels through a lawyer seven years ago and illegally covered it up as a legal expense before being elected president.

Joe Tacopina, Mr. Trump’s attorney, said the former president likely will be arraigned early next week.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis called the indictment political and said he would not cooperate with any efforts to extradite Mr. Trump to New York from Florida, where Mr. Trump lives. Mr. Trump is expected to voluntarily agree to attend his arraignment without an

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extradition fight.

Mr. Trump has expressed his outrage in a string of messages on TruthSocial. He posted again Friday morning, calling the case a “witch hunt.”

While President Biden is remaining largely silent on the issue, members of both parties are speaking out. Republicans were quick to blast the indictment, calling it the politicization of the justice system.

Democrats have fired back, saying Mr. Trump got what he deserved.

Mr. Trump has already announced he is running again for president in 2024, and an indictment won’t prohibit him from running. This is the first time a sitting or former president has been indicted. The New York Police Department is working with federal law enforcement to beef up security throughout the city over the coming days as some fear a Trump arrest could spark protests.

Mr. Trump has other investigations on his plate as well, including allegations that he incited the Jan. 6 riots, plus an investigation in Georgia over allegations he illegally attempted to overturn the 2020 election results. He also faces an investigation over classified documents found at his Florida home from his time in the White House.

LACY, Richard James

Richard James Lacy passed away January 15th, 2023, after a long struggle with Parkinson’s Disease. He is survived by his wife Catherine, 6 children, 16 grandchildren and 11 great-grand children. A funeral mass will be offered at St. Joseph’s Church, 298 S. Thompson Ave, Nipomo CA on April 21st, @ 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers please make donations to American Parkinson’s Disease Association. Condolences may be sent to 889 Oak Park Blvd, Pismo Beach CA. 93449.

DUNDAS, Marjorie Copher

Marjorie died from complications from a fall in Santa Barbara, CA on Feb. 7, 2023, at 93 years of age. Marj was born in St. Louis, Missouri, to Marjorie Hulsizer Copher and Dr. Glover Hancock Copher on July 23, 1929. Both worked at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis; her mother was the Head Dietician, and her father was a world-famous surgeon. Marj went to Community School and John Burroughs School in St. Louis. For college, she attended Vassar, and later received a Theater Arts degree from Stephens College.

Marj and Charles A. White were married in 1956 in St. Louis, and had a daughter, Meg White, and later were divorced. In 1973, Marj and Meg went on safari to East Africa with zoologist Marlin Perkins. It was there she met Ian Nigel Dundas, a safari guide on their trip. Marj and Ian were married in Nairobi, Kenya, in 1973. The couple moved to Hope Ranch in Santa Barbara, CA in 1976 where Meg attended college. Marj and Ian travelled extensively, played tennis at Birnam Wood Golf Club, and rode her horses on the local trails and beaches. Ian died in 1997. In 2013, Meg and her husband moved from St. Louis to Santa Barbara to be near her mother Marj.

At her request, she was buried in Troy, Missouri alongside her beloved parents, uncles and aunt. Her daughter Meg, and son-in-law Mark Ellinwood, accompanied her to her final resting place.

ROGERS, Catherine Raymond Butts

December 2, 1926 - March 14, 2023

Catherine passed away peacefully at home on March 14th, at the age of 96 with her son at her bedside.

She was born in Boise, Idaho to Hubert Nelson Raymond and Florence Schweppe Raymond, moving at age 10 with her mother and younger brother Richard to Pueblo Colorado. At 14 they moved to Riverside California where Cathie graduated from Riverside High School and Junior College. After one year at UCLA Cathie moved to San Francisco where, the late 1940s and 1950s she was one of the city’s top fashion models. She met John H. Butts Sr. from Wichita Kansas whom she married and moved to Phoenix, Arizona where their two children, Kelsey and Phillip were born.

The family settled in Montecito in 1961. Cathie was active in the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Women’s Guild at All Saints-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church and Garden Club of America Santa Barbara where she won many awards for her floral arrangements. She was an avid golfer at the Valley Club of Montecito. After John passed in 1993 she married General F. Michael Rogers who predeceased her in 2014.

Catherine is survived by her son Phillip Butts and daughter Kelsey Butts Desmond (Daniel) of Mathews Virginia, four grandchildren, Cameron Desmond of Sacramento California, Carolyn Desmond Angelini (Nick) of Boston Mass., Megan Desmond Wells (Stephen) of Davidson N.C. and Daniel Desmond Jr (Tara) of Mosley Virginia and five great grandchildren. Catherine also is survived by four stepchildren from Michael Rogers and is preceded in death by two stepsons from John Butts.

Catherine will be laid to rest in a private ceremony next to her husband John Butts in the Santa Barbara Cemetery between the ocean and the mountains of Montecito which they both loved.

In lieu of flowers, friends may remember Cathie through their favorite charity.

CHELINI, Edward Frank Sr.

February 11th, 1935 - October 2nd, 2022

Preceded in Death by wife Lita Chelini (Anderson 2013) and son David Chelini (1980)

Survived by his large extended family: Son Edward F. Chelini Jr and daughter in-law Janice Marie Chelini (Ware), grandsons and their wives: Anthony and Angela Chelini (Williams), Garrett and Aleta Chelini (Walsh), and Kristopher and Dana Chelini (Rodriquez), greatgrandchildren: Charlotte, Ashton, Sydney, Alexander, Thomas, Benjamin, and Alijah Chelini.

Edward was born in Santa Barbara California to parents; Josephine Chelini (Cota) and Georgio Chelini, an immigrant from Lucca Italy. He was the youngest of the family of seven children. He went to Franklin Elementary School, Santa Barbara Junior High, and Santa Barbara High School. He later graduated from California Polytechnic San Luis Obispo (BS Printing). He served in the Army Reserves and was honorably discharged after graduating from college. He returned to Santa Barbara where he met his wife, got married, and worked for various local printing companies such as Channel Lithograph and Haagen Printing. He spent most of his career at Haagen where he eventually became President after the employee purchase of the business. During his life he spent a lot of years volunteering in various organizations. He was a member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees) and was President in 1968. He also was a member of the Santa Barbara Boys Club, where he was introduced to printing, which became his profession after graduating from Cal Poly. He volunteered for the Santa Barbara Fiesta organization and became El Presidente (Old Spanish Days) in 1978. Later he served on the Board of Directors of the West Side Boys Club. With his older brother, George Chelini (Executive Director of United Boys Club), they showed the deep commitment to the local Boys Club organization in Santa Barbara. He lived a full life and loved Santa Barbara, which he called home, for his entire life. Many thanks to his fine caregiver, Darlene Leavitt, whose help made it possible for Edward to live out the rest of his life in his own home. He leaves a large loving family as his legacy. In lieu of any flowers we ask for donations in his name to the United Way Boys and Girls Club, PO Box 1485, Santa Barbara, CA 93101.

THORNTON, Shirley A.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Shirley A. Thornton on March 19, 2023, at the age of 85. Shirley was born on December 7, 1937, in Santa Barbara, CA and was a lifelong resident of Montecito. Born and raised in Santa Barbara, Shirley was a proud graduate of Santa Barbara High School, and her school spirit never waned. She was a dedicated member of the alumni association and always enjoyed planning events and reconnecting with her former classmates.

Before retirement, Shirley worked at the GTE phone company for 30 years. She loved her job and the people she worked with. She was known for her strong work ethic and her willingness to lend a helping hand.

Outside of work, Shirley had many passions. She loved to garden and spent countless hours tending to her beautiful flowers and plants. She also enjoyed taking walks with her friends around her neighborhood, where she was known for her warm smile and friendly demeanor. Shirley was an avid reader and loved nothing more than getting lost in a good book. She was also a true cat lover and always had a feline companion by her side.

Shirley is survived by her devoted daughter Sherri Favela, her son Anthony Thornton, her sister Marylou Armstrong, and her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her mother Mary Baratto, father Frank Acquistapace, and younger brother Ronald Acquistapace.

Shirley will be remembered for her kind heart, generosity, and her unwavering dedication to her family and friends. She will be deeply missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.

A celebration of Shirley’s life will be held at a later date, and her family requests that any donations in her memory be made to the Santa Barbara Humane Society.

KESTEL, John

John Kestel, a long time resident of Goleta, passed away at 89 on February 25, 2023 at home surrounded by his wife of 59 years and their three children. He was born in Storm Lake, Iowa on October 24,1933, and grew up on a hard-working farm with his family raising hogs, chickens, cattle, and corn. He attended a oneroom school house, grades 1 - 4, then St. Mary’s Catholic school, and on to Iowa State University in ROTC where he graduated with a civil engineering degree in 1956. He received a commission in the U S Army and served in El Paso, Texas where friends touted California as the place to be. After a move to Pasadena and an engineering job, he later met his wife, Mary Ellen (Choate), a teacher from Virginia; they were married in 1964, in Long Beach. John went on to receive his license as a Structural Engineer and spent thirty good years with Peter Ehlen (Ehlen, Spiess & Haight) in Santa Barbara. His drawings were done by hand and calculations with a slide rule or mechanical calculators - before computers! In addition to his diligence at the office, he loved working with wood - his craftsmanship now evident throughout his home.

The Kestel kids, with Dad at the helm, enjoyed years of sailing and camping with Santa Barbara Sea Shells, summer weeks at Big Sur Lodge and visits to a special cabin at Hume Lake, fishing, boating, and swimming, walks around Lake Los Carneros. Solvang’s Theaterfest introduced them to live theater at early ages, always with picnic suppers. Special memories are of John teaching each kid how to drive in his prized 1967 red Camaro on the road to Mr. Doty’s Ranch. He loved playing basketball with Mark and board games where his patient nature and organized mind were wonderful examples to follow. His kids still marvel at how he always had time for them, especially at homework hour after a day at work. In their younger years, the grandchildren were always happy to be around their grandpa, playing games or helping him pick oranges in the back yard; he was very close to these five as they provided many welcomed, delightful moments in his later years.

He was a member of St. Raphael’s Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus.

Strong in his faith and his belief in freedom, he was a supporter of Young America’s Foundation. John and Mary Ellen made many trips abroad, walking trips in Provence, Ireland and Tuscany, cruises, and several tours with close friends to Eastern Europe and twice to Russia. He was a good listener and despite his quiet demeanor, he could tell the best stories ever with his dry humor and perfect timing!

Preceding John in death were his parents, his brother Bill and sister Dorothy. John is survived by his wife and three children: son Mark Kestel of San Diego, daughter Karen Connor (Jon) and their son, Jack of Point Loma; and daughter Laura Drabkin (Mike) and their four children: Alex, Gabrielle, Andrew, and Mia of San Clemente.

A memorial service will be held Monday, May 15, 10:00 A M at St. Raphael’s Church, Goleta, followed by a reception at Glen Annie Golf Club. John’s ashes will be interred at Goleta Cemetery in October to honor his 90th birthday. Donations may be made to the Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara.

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