by Wild Manther | June 12th, 2008
Santa Ana, California. In 1769…ehem…yes, 69…the conquistador Gaspar de Portola forcibly thrust his flag into the soil of this fertile Southern California valley, claiming it for Spain. And it is here, in this most populous area of Orange County, that it appears, almost 250 years later, boldly crusading and virile Manthers are still struggling to plant their flag in undiscovered territory.
On a recent evening in mid-May of this year, 61 year old “businessman” and certified renegade Manther James R. Halstead allegedly tried to nonchalantly slide a sufficient dose of the date-rape drug Nimetazepam into remarkably elastic and graceful two-time gold medal winning ice dancer Oksana Grishuk’s glass of light and fruity Pinot. Halstead laid his trap carefully, luring the nubile young Russian to the classy St. Regent Monarch Beach hotel, loitering with her in the bar for a drink or two, then seperating her from the herd and into a private candlelit booth. What he didn’t account for was the indomitable spirit that is required to rise to the top of the international ice dancing circuit. Grishuk, fighting through the drowsy throes of the drug, noticed a partially dissolved pill in the bottom of her glass and immediately alerted the authorities.
Halstead is an example of the most despised species of Manther, the renegade. Perhaps driven by extreme hunger or desperation after being ejected from his pride, the renegade is transformed from proud Manther into nothing more than a depraved scavenger, a manyena. What Halstead could not gain through debonair carriage, rich accoutrement and sly wit, he sought to steal with devilish trickery. The life of the Manther demands a moral flexibility, but nonetheless, there exists a noble tradition and ancient moral code. And you, Mr. Halstead, have transgressed.
Grishuk locked in a passionate ice dancing embrace the likes of which renegade Manther Halstead will never enjoy. Note: It is also possible that this is an image of Oksana trying to rescusitate her partner after a tragically botched side by side triple Salchow. 
The scene of the crime: The St. Regent Monarch Beach hotel. If it weren’t so resplendently appointed, you would see the dark pall cast over this picture perfect Manther den.