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[Gailon Arthur Joy]

Cindy;

You were obviously not facing very certain jail time for your sins, given the weight of the evidence. In fact, let's face it, you have yet to accept the overwhelming evidence in any part of this saga.

And beleive me, If I had my way and your "freinds" had not cut and run, we would have had another "embarrasingly revealing trial" but in US District Court in Worcester, Ma... still may, but unlikely to be in Worcester!!!! And the number of "defendants" will likely expand exponentially.

Get use to the fact that the wheels of justice grind slowly but they grind very fine!!!

Doesn't it kill you to come to the realization your are on the loosing side of this war??? Never easy to accept the harsh reality of justice.
Really chews at the craw like no other event!!! It can be humbling or you can be defiant!!! And which will it be???

As old Yogi is famous for saying, "ain't over, til it's over!!!".

Gailon Arthur Joy
AUReporter

Tommy Shelton pledged guilty this morning to two counts of custodial indecent liberties with a minor in a Fairfax County, Virginia court room. The judge reportedly told Tommy that he may reject the plea agreement and sentence him to prison due to the nature of the offences. Tommy said he understood and entered two pleas of guilty, rendering all claims by his defenders useless. If you remember, they were claiming he was basically forced to plead guilty to AVOID prison. Sentencing will be on September 24.

Duane, thanks for the report but you could have left out the part I have bold texted. Also, no one claimed he was forced to do anything. He wasn't. He had a free choice. And he freely chose to plead guilty for whatever reasons, and now is guilty. What one person earlier explained and  posted was that "there was no other alternative which was acceptable" to him, and "this was the best deal offered" and that yes, he had accepted the plea bargain to avoid jail time. That part is true.

Tommy Shelton has accepted a plea bargain when there was no other alternative that was acceptable. First off, even if innocent (which he is innocent) he could very well be put in prison anyway, which we know he would never live through because of his serious heart condition. I doubt he would last a week in prison. It was a very difficult decision, but it was decided that the only thing they could do was accept the plea bargain with a guilty plea/put on sexual offender list. They were hoping to get a plea bargain that would be "no contest" since he is innocent of the charges, and not having his name on a sex-offender list but the prosecution would not agree to this.

The only way to stay out of prison was to say he was guilty and to allow his name be put on the list. How sad is this. No money, broken in health--only just wanting to be with his family. He is retirement age anyway and so this was the best deal offered.

But what you are leaving out, is this, which is also from the "they" and what "they were claiming":

Option number three would be to simply go to trial and allow the jury to consider the evidence. If he is confident in his innocence why not simply trust his future to the Lord and go to trial? If I was elderly and had a bad heart but knew I was innocent, there is NO WAY I would accept a plea bargain that would keep me out of prison but require that I lie about my guilt.

IF the plea agreement is, as presented by these individuals not a part of this case, it is interesting that no one has mentioned that this keeps the "victims" off the stand where their integrity and character could be defined for the jury to consider while rendering a verdict.

and this:

"

Interesting, from all. My opinion is that TS should plead innocent, but admit I don't know all. I do tend to think God's people need to walk forward in faith and never in fear. We may not always see what is ahead of us, but he always does, and is the best guide.

I myself thought the plea bargain the wrong choice, I still do, but it was not my choice. He has plead guilty in this case and that's all there is to that. According to the law he is guilty of the charges filed. No one has a right to proclaim his innocence now as he has admitted he was not and admitted that to his victims and the court.


The following was also posted here and is my belief:

I received information a short time ago that a plea agreement has been reached in the Tommy Shelton sexual abuse cases currently pending in Virginia. According to sources, Tommy Ray Shelton will appear in court on Monday, July 19 in Fairfax County, Virginia and plead guilty to two counts of Custodial Indecent Liberties with two minors. Under the terms of this agreement, he will face no prison time but will be required to register as a sex offender, and will also receive probation for a length of time to be determined by the court.

To be clear, this will be two pleas of guilty, rather that pleas of no contest

hmmm... I admit, just as I did before when the charges against Tommy were revealed that this is distressing (if true), very, but I also find it curious that you and so many here accusing 3abn, know, or claim to know, all about this, when those at 3abn, and those defending them know nothing about it, and the hearing hasn't taken place, nor have any news sources reported this.

As before, those who aren't involved or in the know (3abn or me ....)will just have to wait for the court documents and the news in order to know what the real facts are.

This i will say and do not apologize to either party. IF TS is not guilty and pleads guilty to avoid a trial, expense and a greater charge, I consider that a lie.

If he is guilty when he earlier claimed he was innocent. That is also a lie.

Bottom line? I hate child abuse, and I hate lies.

I welcomed a trial as the facts would be known, and doubt they will be now if what is reported is true...

Sadly though, this case  has nothing to do with Pickle's allegations against DS and 3ABN, or the lawsuit, and yet all  here in my opinion (yet to be proved) will keep trying to make it so..

It is also my belief that if he was innocent, and only plead guilty(lied) to avoid jail, and ends up getting sent to jail anyway due to that plea, well it is heartbreakingly ironic...  and that's all I can say about that... other than I hope all have gotten what they sought and can move on now to find inner peace and heal.

EDIT- to correct font only.

[Gailon Arthur Joy]

I must confess, this is one of those inglorious moments when years of work have finally found some justice...incomplete, but justice, nonetheless.

I am sure Counsel has told his client to "pack your toothbrush" for the sentencing hearing. Problem for the defendant is that this is not a victimless crime and the bench will be aware this will be only two of many!!!

It will be almost four years to the day of sentencing that the facsimile went off in my office and Ray took it from the fax bin and with a shocked look told me I needed to read this.

Know what??? I did check the sex predator registry in the many states and came to the conclusion it was a hoax...particularly since the source of the story was not known.

The office phone rang and Ray answered while I finished my cursory records check. Ray answered a query with "yes, I did receive a fax and gave it to Arthur". That caught my attention and he transferred the call to my desk phone. The source was more than "credible" and I reluctantly agreed to "check it out" and the interviews began.
My life would never be the same...I had bought the story that Danny was a jilted lover and Linda had flown off to Sweden to be with the doctor…against the best judgment of my wife’s best friend who insisted that there was more to the story. In a twist of irony, this stalwart defender of the church  insisted I was showing a lack of due diligence!!! Go figure, Molly had confirmed my inquiry and I had no reason to believe she was telling anything other than the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. 

I had helped my Uncle contribute a major portion of his estate to the benefit of 3ABN.

I had just been part of a small team that had passed out over six thousand “Ten Commandments Twice Removed” for the very first Ten Commandments weekend in May 2006. Ray and I had passed them out in sun and rain and even after dark to achieve our objectives (door to door  and a contact each time).

And many other family members contributed and supported 3ABN with vigor…one even played frequent roles on Kid’s Time Skits.
I did not want to believe there was anything to these damning documents…and the rest is history. The old adage: “where there is smoke, there is fire!!!”  became ever so true. My faith in the ministry created to “counteract the counterfeit” and the “dream” would go down in flames, forever shattered, as I realized the truth was stranger than fiction. And fate would require that I publish my findings!!!

Some, who clearly do not know me well, have asked: “would you do it over again???” and my absolutely firm response remains to this day “ABSOLUTELY”.  And it is not over yet!!!

The two great opportunities that came from this process were getting to know ‘BOB PICKLE’, every bit my equal and then some. He is a solid rock of principal and with a backbone unequaled, contrary to many of the players in this satire of ironies. The other was getting to know Linda Sue Shelton, also a tower of Faith, just as I had perceived her to be on all those 3ABN Presents. She towers head and shoulders over almost every ministry person I have come in contact with, perhaps with the exception of the Pastor Halverson.

I have had opportunity to expand my list of acquaintances exponentially, some friendly and many not. At the end of the day, I am still that nasty old AUReporter, ever consumed to expose some new corruption, to the chagrin of the Stockholders in the Pews.
We always pray that some sense will come of all this…some logical justice achieved…but only the Lord knows the end from the beginning and knows the purpose of these many conflicts. After all, I report, you decide!!!

In retrospect, every file is sheer nostalgia. Normally, it would be time to write a book, but “Who Watches, Who Cares”???

C'est la vie!!!!

Gailon Arthur Joy
 AUREPORTER

[Bob Pickle]

Sad business, but I can't help but notice there does appear to be a difference in the report from the Washington post and the reports we got from Gailon Arthur Joy and Bob Pickle.

Gailon is the one who said that the prosecutor already had the medical records, not me. So there is nothing from the Washington Post that conflicts with what I said.

[Bob Pickle]

It will be almost four years to the day of sentencing that the facsimile went off in my office and Ray took it from the fax bin and with a shocked look told me I needed to read this.

Dryden sent a copy of his 2003 letter to Walt Thompson to me, saying I could forward it to Adventist church leaders. I forwarded it to four pastors and administrators, and that forwarding led to that same letter being faxed around the next day to Gailon, whom I had never heard of.

This whole scandal should have never started, and should have ended a long time ago. It is a real travesty that it still is ongoing, and that the litigation Danny launched against Gailon and me in retaliation for our blowing the whistle is not yet resolved.

But that is more the choice of Danny Shelton, Walt Thompson, Jim Gilley, Mollie Steenson, Bill Hulsey, Ellsworth McKee, CA Murray, Carmelita Troy, Max Trevino, Wintley Phipps, Larry Romrell, and the other 3ABN board members than ours. They can resolve a major issue by simply ordering Attorney Greg Simpson to cease and desist his attempted confidentiality designation of documents that don't qualify for protection under the confidentiality order.

It really is despicable that Simpson, Danny, and 3ABN would attempt yet again to cover up the child molestation allegations against Tommy in January 2010 by trying to reassert their bogus confidentiality designation of the documents we got from Dunn Loring about Tommy. Tommy's admitted pedophilia is NOT a trade secret of 3ABN or DLS Publishing, and it is really absurd for Danny, 3ABN, and Simpson to pretend that Tommy's pedophilia is a trade secret.

You'd think Danny Shelton by now would have learned to quit acting like some Roman Catholic bishop in trying to cover up Tommy's now-admitted child molestation.

I want to see the litigation over once and for all, entirely over. But I will not consent to the surrender of my First Amendment freedoms. I will not be a party to any attempted cover up of Tommy's pedophilia. So until Danny and/or 3ABN and/or Simpson come to their senses and decide to stand for principle and do the right thing, I remain a defendant in the scandalous lawsuit, 3ABN and Danny Shelton v. Joy and Pickle.

[Adam]

This was published in the Washington Post today, July 20th.



Ex-pastor of Fairfax church pleads guilty to molesting two boys in the 1990s
By Tom Jackman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, July 20, 2010

The former pastor of a Fairfax County church pleaded guilty Monday to molesting two boys who were under his supervision in the 1990s, and Fairfax prosecutors agreed to a deal in which the man would spend no time in jail.


But Fairfax Circuit Court Judge Randy I. Bellows said he might not accept the deal, in which case the defendant, Tommy R. Shelton Jr., could withdraw his plea and take the case to another judge.

Shelton, 65, was the pastor of Community Church of God in the Dunn Loring area from 1995 to 2000. Authorities said two men contacted Fairfax police in 2008 and said that Shelton had sexually assaulted them in the 1990s.

Shelton, who had been living in Kentucky, was arrested in March.

Both accusers were in the courtroom for Shelton's pleas to two felony counts of taking indecent liberties with a child under his supervision. Each charge carries a penalty of up to five years in prison. Both said afterward that they approved of the plea deal, although it doesn't include jail time, as long as Shelton acknowledges his guilt and is placed on a sex offender registry.

One of the men testified at a hearing in May that Shelton had performed oral sex on him in 1995 or 1996, when the man was 14, and Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney Katherine E. Stott confirmed that account Monday. Shelton had been seeing the boy for counseling and piano lessons, Stott said, and had told him that their sexual activities were "the type of relationship a father and son had."

The other man also testified in May. He said that when he was 11, he and Shelton would go for bike rides and that Shelton would direct him into the woods and fondle him. Stott said that on one occasion, Shelton molested the boy in the kitchen of the Community Church of God on Gallows Road.


Bellows, a former federal prosecutor, seemed skeptical of a plea bargain with no jail time. "I'm telling you all right now," the judge said, "I may ultimately reject this agreement."

Shelton has been free on bond. Bellows said that without the plea agreement, he "would have little doubt about incarcerating the defendant pending sentencing." But prosecutors did not ask for Shelton's bond to be revoked, or for any jail sentence, so he allowed Shelton to remain free.

Bellows asked the prosecutor why she had agreed to the plea deal proposed by defense attorneys Kimberly Irving and Thomas Pavlinic. Stott said that she had discussed the proposal with the two complainants, along with the risks and burdens of going to trial, and that they had accepted it.

She said the only evidence would be the two men's testimony about the events of 15 years ago. Shelton had not spoken to police and had no criminal record, she said.

After the hearing, the two men said they would be prepared to testify if the judge rejects the plea deal and Shelton goes to trial.

"It's been a long time coming," said one of the men, 24.

The other man, 29, said: "He's taken something from me I'll never get back. . . . As long as he's admitted guilt and he's a registered sex offender, that he can't do this to others, that's really what I wanted."

Shelton declined to comment after the hearing. Bellows ordered a pre-sentence report and set a sentencing hearing for Sept. 24, at which he will decide whether to accept the plea deal.

If Bellows rejects the deal, Shelton can withdraw his plea or proceed with sentencing, at which the judge could give him up to 10 years in prison.

If Shelton withdraws his plea, the case would be assigned to another judge, and Shelton, his attorneys and Stott could devise another plea agreement, submit the same agreement to the new judge or go to trial.

[princessdi]

Forgive me all for mispeaking.  The plea does incude no jail time.  Which is a bit troubling, but after so long a time, understandable. 

I must go back and read the articles, but what exactly does the plea involve?

[GRAT]

There is no guarantee that TS will not re-offend just because he is a registered sex offender.  You hear it all the time in the news.  The only way to protect children is to put the offender away.  I think they all should be sent to a deserted island far far from society and left with a few cans of spam and canned peas.  Just my opinion.

My question for someone is why does it take two months before the sentence is given out? 

[Adam]

There is no guarantee that TS will not re-offend just because he is a registered sex offender.  You hear it all the time in the news.  The only way to protect children is to put the offender away.  I think they all should be sent to a deserted island far far from society and left with a few cans of spam and canned peas.  Just my opinion.

My question for someone is why does it take two months before the sentence is given out? 

You are correct, Grat.  This has been evident for nearly 30 or mor years.  However, I understand why the victims agreed to this.

[Harley]

There is no guarantee that TS will not re-offend just because he is a registered sex offender.  You hear it all the time in the news.  The only way to protect children is to put the offender away.  I think they all should be sent to a deserted island far far from society and left with a few cans of spam and canned peas.  Just my opinion.

My question for someone is why does it take two months before the sentence is given out? 

You are correct, Grat.  This has been evident for nearly 30 or mor years.  However, I understand why the victims agreed to this.

Can you help me to understand? These are from the news papers.

"A former pastor accused of molesting two minors at a church in Dunn Loring turned himself into Fairfax County Police on Tuesday, March 16.Tommy Shelton, 64, of Marion, Kentucky, was charged with two counts of aggravated sexual battery, two counts of indecent liberties with a minor, and sodomy."


"Katherine E. Stott reduced the sodomy charge, which carried a minimum of five years and a maximum of life in prison, to carnal knowledge, which has a range of two to 10 years in prison. Subsequent testimony by the first complaining witness did not fit the sodomy charge. A count of aggravated sexual battery of that witness, with a sentencing range of one to 20 years in prison, was reduced to custodial indecent liberties, with a range of up to five years in prison. A charge of aggravated sexual battery of the second witness was not reduced."

"Both accusers were in the courtroom for Shelton's pleas to two felony counts of taking indecent liberties with a child under his supervision. Each charge carries a penalty of up to five years in prison. Both said afterward that they approved of the plea deal, although it doesn't include jail time, as long as Shelton acknowledges his guilt and is placed on a sex offender registry...Bellows asked the prosecutor why she had agreed to the plea deal proposed by defense attorneys Kimberly Irving and Thomas Pavlinic. Stott said that she had discussed the proposal with the two complainants, along with the risks and burdens of going to trial, and that they had accepted it. She said the only evidence would be the two men's testimony about the events of 15 years ago. Shelton had not spoken to police and had no criminal record, she said."

I don't understand why they would agree to let him plead guilty to reduced charges with no jail time. Isn't he just going to be on probation?

[Adam]

There is no guarantee that TS will not re-offend just because he is a registered sex offender.  You hear it all the time in the news.  The only way to protect children is to put the offender away.  I think they all should be sent to a deserted island far far from society and left with a few cans of spam and canned peas.  Just my opinion.

My question for someone is why does it take two months before the sentence is given out?  

You are correct, Grat.  This has been evident for nearly 30 or mor years.  However, I understand why the victims agreed to this.

Can you help me to understand? These are from the news papers.

"A former pastor accused of molesting two minors at a church in Dunn Loring turned himself into Fairfax County Police on Tuesday, March 16.Tommy Shelton, 64, of Marion, Kentucky, was charged with two counts of aggravated sexual battery, two counts of indecent liberties with a minor, and sodomy."


"Katherine E. Stott reduced the sodomy charge, which carried a minimum of five years and a maximum of life in prison, to carnal knowledge, which has a range of two to 10 years in prison. Subsequent testimony by the first complaining witness did not fit the sodomy charge. A count of aggravated sexual battery of that witness, with a sentencing range of one to 20 years in prison, was reduced to custodial indecent liberties, with a range of up to five years in prison. A charge of aggravated sexual battery of the second witness was not reduced."

"Both accusers were in the courtroom for Shelton's pleas to two felony counts of taking indecent liberties with a child under his supervision. Each charge carries a penalty of up to five years in prison. Both said afterward that they approved of the plea deal, although it doesn't include jail time, as long as Shelton acknowledges his guilt and is placed on a sex offender registry...Bellows asked the prosecutor why she had agreed to the plea deal proposed by defense attorneys Kimberly Irving and Thomas Pavlinic. Stott said that she had discussed the proposal with the two complainants, along with the risks and burdens of going to trial, and that they had accepted it. She said the only evidence would be the two men's testimony about the events of 15 years ago. Shelton had not spoken to police and had no criminal record, she said."

I don't understand why they would agree to let him plead guilty to reduced charges with no jail time. Isn't he just going to be on probation?

Alli I can do is explain what I have been told by one of the victims. My understanding is this:

The sodomy charged had to be dropped because one of the victims was over the age of 13. So they had to charge him with carnal knowledge. I am not really sure why the other charges was reduced. Some have said that the Grand Jury is the one who changed these charges. That is not true. These charges was changed at the Preliminary hearing.

The charges that was in place before the plea agreement was :

Carnal knowledge
2 counts of Indecent liberties
2 counts of sexual battery

I may be wrong on those above. I'm just not sure.

My understanding is that the defense approached the prosecutor and asked if they agreed to plea guilty to two counts of indecent liberties, would she drop the jail time. From what the news article says, she approached the two victims about this plea deal, and they accepted it.

I have been told, that Tommy's attorney's first approached the Prosecutor about a plea that required he only plead guilty to two misdemeanors. Which would not require jail time or registry. Basically a slap on the wrist. The prosecutor said that was not an option.  

As far as the question on probation. I have been told that yes, there would be no jail time, but would be a period of probation which would be determined by the courts.

[ex3abnemployee]

The first deal they asked for also would not have required registering as a sex offender.

[tinka]

To me it sort of sounds like both sides might be "gambling" on better outcome to fit Plaintive side for better justice with the "guilty" plea in the end.

The otherside gives some options that are also benefit to the victims and basically no way out for TS.

The victims realize that they are not the final say, the judge is -so the easiest move is to agree for that guilty "plea" that seem to bring in the least accusations and victims and the grave consequences not contributed to the victims, . and the  judge has sort of given his view and thoughts already and a slight gamble now is maybe a new judge they can ask for if sentencing is not what "Sheltons" gambled on. Next, there is the Shelton family being drug thru to answer maybe even more victims and more closets stuff brought out and then there is the big bucks they are going to have to pay and still end up even worse with jury and guess what the attorneys may not get anything from TS assets. So therefore it brings in big brother's money. So why not take the chance that the victims agreed when the victims can come back in civil with the simplicity of TS just admitting his guilt and think he is getting it over with without fanfare. I think each side is gambling and it appears the victim side was wise to agree like they did because the good ole judge may give justice. "Sheltons" will need their money maybe later for worse things.....they know what they have done! They are no doubt gambling where and what is going to be the best use of future lawyer fees. and now the Sheltons's got to let TS go where the judge decides. I think they are gambling on probation but I hope they get shocked by the judge.  I think it was a good deal not to put the victims through anymore and that was the best thing. I feel the judge will take it from there off their shoulders. Both sides of attorney's in their right mind no what TS has done. So the best shot went down for the victims. Remember there is more then 2.

[Murcielago]

Now that the first two stones have broken loose, it is possible that an avalanche will follow.

Remember there is more then 2.

[Harley]

Thank you again, Samuel. Your answer was very helpful. I am sorry though because I think I asked my question in a confusing way. That isn't your fault. It is mine. Thank you for being patient with me.  I will try again. You wrote this:"I understand why the victims agreed to this." I was mostly trying to ask if you could help me to also understand why the victims agreed to this. If that is something you can't, or shouldn't, answer? I will understand.

There is no guarantee that TS will not re-offend just because he is a registered sex offender.  You hear it all the time in the news.  The only way to protect children is to put the offender away.  I think they all should be sent to a deserted island far far from society and left with a few cans of spam and canned peas.  Just my opinion.

My question for someone is why does it take two months before the sentence is given out?  

You are correct, Grat.  This has been evident for nearly 30 or mor years.  However, I understand why the victims agreed to this.

Can you help me to understand? These are from the news papers.

"A former pastor accused of molesting two minors at a church in Dunn Loring turned himself into Fairfax County Police on Tuesday, March 16.Tommy Shelton, 64, of Marion, Kentucky, was charged with two counts of aggravated sexual battery, two counts of indecent liberties with a minor, and sodomy."


"Katherine E. Stott reduced the sodomy charge, which carried a minimum of five years and a maximum of life in prison, to carnal knowledge, which has a range of two to 10 years in prison. Subsequent testimony by the first complaining witness did not fit the sodomy charge. A count of aggravated sexual battery of that witness, with a sentencing range of one to 20 years in prison, was reduced to custodial indecent liberties, with a range of up to five years in prison. A charge of aggravated sexual battery of the second witness was not reduced."

"Both accusers were in the courtroom for Shelton's pleas to two felony counts of taking indecent liberties with a child under his supervision. Each charge carries a penalty of up to five years in prison. Both said afterward that they approved of the plea deal, although it doesn't include jail time, as long as Shelton acknowledges his guilt and is placed on a sex offender registry...Bellows asked the prosecutor why she had agreed to the plea deal proposed by defense attorneys Kimberly Irving and Thomas Pavlinic. Stott said that she had discussed the proposal with the two complainants, along with the risks and burdens of going to trial, and that they had accepted it. She said the only evidence would be the two men's testimony about the events of 15 years ago. Shelton had not spoken to police and had no criminal record, she said."

I don't understand why they would agree to let him plead guilty to reduced charges with no jail time. Isn't he just going to be on probation?

Alli I can do is explain what I have been told by one of the victims. My understanding is this:

The sodomy charged had to be dropped because one of the victims was over the age of 13. So they had to charge him with carnal knowledge. I am not really sure why the other charges was reduced. Some have said that the Grand Jury is the one who changed these charges. That is not true. These charges was changed at the Preliminary hearing.

The charges that was in place before the plea agreement was :

Carnal knowledge
2 counts of Indecent liberties
2 counts of sexual battery

I may be wrong on those above. I'm just not sure.

My understanding is that the defense approached the prosecutor and asked if they agreed to plea guilty to two counts of indecent liberties, would she drop the jail time. From what the news article says, she approached the two victims about this plea deal, and they accepted it.

I have been told, that Tommy's attorney's first approached the Prosecutor about a plea that required he only plead guilty to two misdemeanors. Which would not require jail time or registry. Basically a slap on the wrist. The prosecutor said that was not an option.  

As far as the question on probation. I have been told that yes, there would be no jail time, but would be a period of probation which would be determined by the courts.

[Pat Williams]

Now that the first two stones have broken loose, it is possible that an avalanche will follow.

Remember there is more then 2.

Possibly, and possibly not. We will just have to wait and see. This is a bit offtopic, but interesting choice of a new forum name. Some might even say it fits perfectly.

Murciélago
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Murciélago was a Navarra fighting bull known for having survived 28 sword strokes in an October 5, 1879 fight against Rafael "El Lagartijo" Molina Sanchez, at the Coso de los califas bullring in Córdoba, Spain.

Murciélago fought with such passion and spirit that the crowd called for his life to be spared, an honor which the matador bestowed. The bull, which came from the farm of Joaquin del Val di Navarra, was later presented as a gift to Don Antonio Miura. Together with his brother, Don Eduardo Miura, they brought Murciélago into the Miura line by siring him with 70 cows. Bulls from the Miura ranch, located near Seville, Spain, are known for being large and ferocious.

Italian automaker Lamborghini named one of its supercars "Murciélago", as part of the company's tradition of naming its cars for Miura bulls and other bullfighting-related terms. "Murciélago" means bat in Spanish.