Temecula Commentary: THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN - AS A LAWYER WOULD SAY
“AND NOW, THE REST OF THE STORY” - PAUL HARVEY
Temecula, CA – Many people have read and been saddened by the recent stabbing death of Ryan Armstrong, son of the founder of Cornerstone Church, Rev. Ron Armstrong. All the people involved in the incident, the assailants, have been arrested and are now awaiting trial, but as any lawyer will tell you, there are always two sides to any coin. In the Full Value Review of things, here is the inside story because people know we will give you the ‘full review’ of any controversy. While there is never an excuse for any violent crime when a person’s life is taken, whether it be someone like Shawn Vilan or Ryan Armstrong, because at the end of the day it is the people who personally know and love these people who will shoulder the emotional cross left to bear. It is the hope of myself and I feel everyone at The Review, that if the full details to anything come out, perhaps someone in the future will be able to avoid the same tragic circumstances and results. And now, the rest of the story, as Paul Harvey would say.
The confrontation began at the bar called ET’s Lounge, a seedy little spot that is a step below the ‘Q’ club. Often they have lingerie parties there. On this particular night, Ryan Armstrong, the pastor’s son, Ryan Joshua, a close relative of a famed ‘creationist’ and an unidentified young woman, were celebrating her 21st birthday. The woman was trashed, as in very drunk, due to her birthday, and sloshed drinks a number of times on the pool table game of Marvin Black, James Fung, and Matthew Basler. After one such time, one of the three men called to Ryan and Ryan, “Hey, check your bitch!” It was at this time that words started being exchanged by both groups and the confrontation escalated to a fight inside the bar and wound up later outside the bar with both Ryans being stabbed.
So my questions are these. While this is America and you are relatively free to go anywhere and have fun, have drinks, and celebrate someone’s birthday, a certain element of common sense has to prevail before you start trash talking to people who some would consider ‘thuggish’ or convict looking. Seeing someone with Nazi symbol tats is not likely to be someone who will take being pushed, even verbally. Secondly, you have to wonder why and what two upstanding Christian types would be doing in a place like ET’s, where people like the three assailants are much more likely to be found and be comfortable in those surroundings? Were there not more upscale places like Barley & Hops, Killarney’s, or BJ’s to celebrate someone’s birthday available? Third, why didn’t the two victims check their ‘bitch’ instead of letting stupid macho pride let their mouths write checks that their ass couldn’t cash. As in the shooting death of Shawn Vilan, this was a conflict that developed between a protagonist and a superior force that had a sad ending causing pity and a calamity for all concerned. And to set the record straight, contrary to what’s being written in the MSM, Marvin Black voluntarily turned himself in. My compassion goes out to all the people who have had their lives changed irrevocably.