http://malibutimes.com/articles/2004/04/01/life_and_arts/art2.prt

Conspiracy theory in song


Frances Plante-Scott has been called the "Annie Oakley of Malibu."
Frances Plante-Scott recalls events from 1992 when her husband, Donald Scott,was killed by a narcotics detective on their ranch in the Malibu mountains.

By David Wallace/Special to The Malibu Times

From the title of Frances Plante-Scott's just released CD, "Conspiracy Cocktail," it would be easy to write her off as just another conspiracy theorist who sees deceit and corruption in government agencies ranging from the IRS to the DEA. That would be very wrong. What Plante-Scott has gone through during the past 11 years, recalled in a recent interview and memorialized in song on her album, could have embittered anyone.

It began on October 2, 1992, when, following a false marijuana tip, L.A. County Sheriff's deputies broke down the door of the cabin on the 200-acre "Trails End" Ranch Plante-Scott shared with her husband of two months, Donald Scott. It was the classic case of a police raid gone bad-not only was no marijuana found, the 61-year-old Scott was shot and killed by a narcotics detective during the "bust." Also involved in the raid were 32 representatives of 13 other agencies including the U.S. Border Patrol, the DEA, the LAPD, Pasadena's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the National Parks Service. (Recordings of the actual phone calls made by the Sheriff's deputies after the tragedy are set against her lyrics for the song "I'm Going to Stop You" on the CD.)

Plante-Scott, a stunning redheaded Texan, has long claimed that the raid and "murder," as she calls it, of her husband were the result of a conspiracy to seize the ranch under the asset forfeiture drug laws and sell it to the National Parks Service. The participating agencies could then, as allowed by the law, split 85 percent of the estimated $5 million sale price. Michael Bradbury, then the Ventura County district attorney, supported her claim. In a voluminous report written a year after the event, he concluded the fatal raid was "a land-grab by the (L.A.) Sheriff's Office." (Although Scott's ranch was entirely in Ventura County, Bradbury was not told in advance of the raid).

A year later, Plante-Scott lost the cabin in the 1993 Malibu fire. "After the fires," she says, "everyone thought for sure I would have to leave 'Trails End.' Instead, I put up a 30-foot tall teepee and lived in it." She also got a shotgun-"I needed it," she said, "because there were rattlesnakes and mountain lions."-hired a pre-O.J. Johnnie Cochran and sued the government for $100 million. The image of Plante-Scott as a sort of gunslingin' rebel earned her the nickname of "Annie Oakley of Malibu."

As Cochran recalls in his autobiography, "Scott's land was adjacent to the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. It is a beautiful piece of property-there is a seventy-five foot waterfall on it-and someone in the federal government wanted to incorporate it into the recreation area. The National Park Service offered to buy it ... he didn't want to sell. Rich white people are rarely victims of police brutality, but Donald Scott had something [they] wanted, so he died." Although the government claimed everything was legal and the shooting was justified, nevertheless it settled for $5 million; the money was more or less eaten up by lawyer's bills and payments to Scott's three children. Being a civil case, the government was not obligated to provide an attorney as it is in criminal cases.

Cochran said Plante-Scott told a judge at the time that she was so poor she considered eating road kill. She didn't, but in 2001, she left the ranch after the IRS auctioned it to recover unpaid taxes. A Dr. Schultz ended up with "Trail's End" for a reported $1.4 million. "It got to be like Hydra," she says of her seemingly endless struggles with governmental authorities. "Cut off one head and two grow back."

The experience broadened Plante-Scott's mission from one of fighting for justice over a personal tragedy via dozens of print, radio and television interviews (including ABC's "20/20"), to today's commitment for exposing the truth as she sees it about the government's war on drugs, the asset forfeiture laws, and the Patriot Act-"Nothing less than a war on our constitutional freedom," she asserts.

Some of the difficulties Plante-Scott encountered during her evolution from a mourning beleaguered widow into a song-writing Erin Brockovich were caused by her direct manner. "I sometimes say things, things that aren't politically correct," she says. "Even then I'm occasionally misunderstood. Because I armed myself when I was living in the teepee, I was adopted as a sort of poster child by, of all people, the right-wing, save-our-guns crowd."

"She is a deeply passionate, altruistic person who follows her heart with an innate perception of right and wrong, finding a catharsis in her music," Bill Aylesworth, president of her company, Great Scott Presentations, says. "I soon found out this was a no-nonsense lady who doesn't mince words. In the spirit of the Alamo, she shoots from the hip, metaphorically and otherwise." Another CD, "Organic Plante," is due this summer, and Aylesworth is negotiating for a book and a feature film.

"I just didn't want Donald to have died in vain," Plante-Scott adds quietly.

here is hoping you live your dreams and keep singing. Music will save this old world, one way or other!
Still Pickin'
Bill Hudson

Speak truth to power...
Fight the NWO!

GS ROCKS!!!

Keep up the good fight

You Rock Frances!!! Power to the people

:clapping:

Wow, it just never ceases to amaze me as to what some folks are meant to go through in their lifetimes. Have to go with that old saying which is
"that, what doesn't kill us, will only make us stronger". Frances must be one strong cookie! You GO girl! ~pepe~

Incredible story.

I don't doubt that the authorities acted negligently because this has happened a lot, but the idea that all these agencies got together to intentionally murder this guy in this way is pretty ludicrous. If they wanted to kill him they would send in a shooter alone at night.

The forfeiture laws did get crazy around that time and they did encourage bad behavior, but I think they've been rolled back somewhat in recent years.

Here in New Jersey we had a crazy DA who did some bad stuff with the forfeiture laws. He got busted and went on the lam and ended up killing himself in a Nevada hotel room. A little info here:

http://www.fear.org/bissell.html

mroop, this sort of thing should NEVER happen. We had the Randy Weaver tragedy, and then Janet Reno roasted women and children alive at Waco, and now this. I think we're only seeing the tip of the iceberg.

Everyone should be a crusader against this sort of thing because any one of us could, through bad luck of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, be a victim of law enforcement that does not understand the concept of using minimum force necessary, nor the concept of presumption of innocence. These people were executed without trial.

The worst of it is that no one in government ever loses their job for this sort of malfeasance. The guys who killed Weaver's family have medals and promotions. We need accountability.

mroop
Look at the numbers... each agency got to share 85% of the $5 million sale price. Sounds like motivation to me. Motivation for murder? Since the complete details as to WHY he was killed aren't revealed here, it is hard to say. But the very fact those details aren't here begs the question... WHY NOT?

My guess is that whatever happened was wrong and the agencies involved are covering up, lying to call the killing "justified". Justified my ass. Since it was the government that started this ILLEGAL mess in the first place, I don't take any stock in their claim that the killing was "justified". And, so far, I bet this woman doesn't even know the meaning of the word "Justice". Because she certainly hasn't seen any yet.

All agencies involved owe this woman more than $5 Million settlement. Who can put a price on HER suffering? Her loss of a husband? And the punitive damages that SHOULD BE issued still won't give her the measure of 'justice' she deserves.

((((((HELLO)))))))))
Since when does JPL owned by NASA go on marijuana raids?! The ranch sits right in the middle of the Pacific Missile Test @ Pt Magoo & the 3 huge microwave dishes connect it ALL! My late husband fought the placement of those dishes from their inception because He believed THEY CAUSED CANCER & He was right! His lawyer told him then if he wanted to stay alive He better stop fighting them because it was bigger than anyone could imagine! After he was murdered, I found a contract in a PARK PUBLICATION between the Santa Monica Mountain NATL parks & Recreation Area and The Pacific Missile Test Center that stated the Santa Monica Mountains National Parks is to receive funding from The Pacific Missile Test Center and The Pacific Missile Test Center is to review *****ALL***** park plans. (((((HELLO))))))) The superintendent of the SMMNP was questioned by locals here in Malibu and he said “It was for performing “Smokey the Bear” duties. Yeah, right! GIVE ME A BREAK!

I became untrusting of the government on that fateful October 2nd morning and have been ever since. I feel for a lot of folks though who have jobs in the various agencies in our government because the left hand NEVER knows what the right hand is doing and they ARE SO DUPED ALL THE TIME! I think too the media IS full of SH*T! Most are OWNED lock stock and barrel and *****KNOW**** what happens if they don’t do what they are told… We are forced to read and listen to their lies daily… Censorship and propaganda were the driving forces behind my CD “Conspiracy Cocktail” I HAD TO DO IT TO EXPOSE ALL OF THE LIES and CORRUPTION!!!!!!!! THE WAR ON DRUGS HAS ALWAYS BEEN A WAR ON ALL AMERICANS! I feel like WE ALL LOST too on that horrible October 2nd and WE ARE ALL LOSING NOW! Why are their so many homeless & disheartened people in our GREAT COUNTRY? Why are we always so beaten down & broken apart? WHY????? But we can come up with billions instantly, in a HEARTBEAT for a NEW WAR when we already know GREED AND CORRUPTION BACKFIRES EVERYTIME! I will continue though to FIGHT FOR OUR RIGHTS (WHAT FEW WE HAVE LEFT)! & I WILL ALWAYS PRAY FOR AMERICA, THE GREATEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD!!!!!!!!!
PEACE FOR THE PEOPLE! WE WILL PREVAIL!!!! KEEP THE FAITH!!!!!!!!

It’s true I’m still in court and I know it’s hard to believe. But to think what happened to our family after my husband’s death is both SHOCKING & heart wrenching & DEFINITELY COULD HAPPEN TO YOU! I did fight my best fight to save the last memory of my husband, the ranch, but they still took it from us! But I WANT TO KNOW HOW CAN THE IRS COME IN AFTER THE MURDER & IMMEDIATELY TAX EVERYTHING A FAMILY HAS AS IF IT WAS JUST BOUGHT “BRAND NEW”??????! My husband bought that land in 1966 and it was FREE & CLEAR of any taxes while he was ALIVE but AFTER HE WAS KILLED, THEY CAME IN FORCES, LIKE THUNDER and appraised it for in the millions and said WE OWE DEATH TAXES! YEAH!!!!!!!!!! ~55%!!!!!!!!! ^%$%^

If that wasn’t enough, I got attacked by HELICOPTERS night and day with my baby “Justice” in my arms too. We were running, screaming and crying ALL THE TIME cuz I REFUSED TO SELL!!!!!!!!!! They tried to scare me out but I JUST WOULDN’T LEAVE! (It was like I was a fugitive in MY OWN COUNTRY!) Sooooooooo the next thing THEY BURNED US DOWN! That’s RIGHT *****15 fireman****** were there to stop the fires, (one year later TO THE MONTH of the murder) but the NATIONAL PARKS SPOKESPERSON DENIED ENTRY TO THE FIREMEN TO COME IN & MAKE A FIREBREAK IN THE PARK BY SAYING IT’S AGAINST THEIR PARK POLICY TO DISTURB THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF THEIR PARK LAND THAT YOU & I PAY TAXES ON & if their buildings burn WE PAY AGAIN TO BUILD THEM NEW ONES! While we can’t get a PERMIT TO WIPE OUR BUTTS!!!!!!!!!! Well, I put up that 30 foot tall TIPI after that fire and I CARRIED ON like any good housewife SHOULD and I’m STILL GONNA CARRY ON!!!!!!!!!!!!
ROCK & ROLL WILL NEVER DIE!

"I think we're only seeing the tip of the iceberg."

It does happen fairly often. I was living in San Diego when the DEA shot Donald Carlson during an erroneous raid.

http://www.ndsn.org/jan93/shot.html

Some more bad raids here:

http://personal.riverusers.com/~raykeller/oops.htm

"Look at the numbers... each agency got to share 85% of the $5 million sale price. Sounds like motivation to me. Motivation for murder?"

Of course not. When the govt. kills someone by mistake that does not entitle them to seize the victim's property. So where is the motivation for murder? There isn't one.

"Since the complete details as to WHY he was killed aren't revealed here, it is hard to say. But the very fact those details aren't here begs the question... WHY NOT?"

Uh, because that is not the main focus of the article. If you want to find out more about Donald Scott there is plenty on the internet. He was shot because he came down the stairs with a gun in his hand and a scared cop shot him.

http://www.fear.org/scott15.html

http://wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=17369

The Bradbury Report here:

http://www.outpost-of-freedom.com/scott.htm

YOU WERE NOT THERE MY FRIEND AND SO THEREFORE YOU DON'T KNOW! Believe half of what YOU read! Btw, the park service brought in the Los Angeles Sheriffs SWAT TEAM ASSESSOR who HAND WROTE DOGS ARE FRIENDLY ~SCOTTS ARE FRIENDLY ~JUST PULL IN & THE SCOTTS WILL PROBABLY INVITE YOU IN! Well, that was true but why come in with every agency in the GOVERNMENT and really pot plants were said to be in the trees and the trees are NOT located IN THE HOUSE! But people will kill you for a nickel these days much less a 200-ACRE RANCH IN MALIBU!

I don't want to get in argument with you and I agree I was not there. I do believe that they falsified the search warrant because they really wanted to seize your ranch. I just don't think that it was a premeditated plot to murder your husband. Drugs on the property would result in forfeiture proceedings, but murder would not result in forfeiture proceedings.

mroop - You sound like a 9 year old talking to a veteran about vietnam. Shut up and listen. This is reality. You are basically irrelevent unless you have direct experience.

Wisdom is knowing when to shut up.

Frances, you are a woman of great strength and integrity. My prayers are with you.

"mroop - You sound like a 9 year old talking to a veteran about vietnam."

I myself have been involved in the War on Drugs more than you know. It was my experience as a defendant that spurred me to work for the Public Defender and then for probably the most successful defense attorney in drug cases in California. (Jan Ronis in San Diego) I was involved in the defense of Operation Green Ice against the DEA and other major cases. So you can tell me I don't know what I am talking because I have been in the trenches. Now I'll shut up.

Please do, Mroop

Damn it mroop i thought that i told you to shut up already. We don't want to hear all your negative comments.

Hey Code I think you may have found a suitable running mate.

The negative comments are not really the issue.
We do need opposing views.

The problem is he was not there. she was, and he talks as though he knows the whole situation.

The word "Butthead" comes to mind.