After an amended guilty plea, the Laura Buckingham saga nears its sell-by date.

As noted in the space almost three years ago, I've never been interested in choosing sides, because this story has struck me as a prime instance of tragedy -- in the word's original sense.

1. (esp in classical and Renaissance drama) a play in which the protagonist, usually a man of importance and outstanding personal qualities, falls to disaster through the combination of a personal failing and circumstances with which he cannot deal.

2. (in later drama, such as that of Ibsen) a play in which the protagonist is overcome by a combination of social and psychological circumstances.

What's a "good" ending? This may or may not be it, but pending the sale of movie rights, it's the only ending we have at present.

Laura Buckingham pleads guilty in murder-for-hire plot, by Aprile Rickert (Tome May)

Laura Buckingham charged with murder-for-hire plot

 ... On Tuesday, Buckingham pleaded guilty in Roane County Circuit Court in Tennessee to the amended charge, a class B felony which could carry between eight and 30 years in prison. The plea recommends a 10-year sentence, all of which is to be suspended to probation, and 500 hours of community service, with no less than 50 per year. It also stipulates that she is to not have contact with other parties in the case and, as a U.S. Marine, comply with all recommendations of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ...

"Former New Albany café owner faces attempted murder charge."

The feeding frenzy of the amateur media revolution -- is it a necessary evil?

Search for the words "Laura Buckingham Afghanistan Marines," and Google disgorges dozens of headlines with banners like these: "Marine Who Peed on Dead Taliban Foils Girlfriend’s Alleged Murder-for-Hire Plot" and "Former Marine court-martialed for peeing on Taliban bodies stops girlfriend's alleged murder-for-hire plot WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT."

It's a perfect storm for the planet's social media vultures: A notorious former soldier prevents his girlfriend, also a former soldier, from killing her child's father. It is likely that Robo-Screenplay already is at work, scrubbing the story clean of any genuine human element.

Laura Buckingham became known to many residents of Southern Indiana as the "bread chick," selling her loaves at the farmers market prior to opening a bricks and mortar cafe called Bread and Breakfast. Overnight, she has become fodder for worldwide "news" coverage.

Former New Albany café owner faces attempted murder charge, by Chris Morris (News and Tribune)

We're all adults here, and few (if any) of us have a dog in this race. We don't know all the facts, and the case will play itself out in the judicial system. We shouldn't understate the seriousness, and yet personally, I always pull for redemption and second chances, and wish success to those seeking to purge resident demons. There is a young boy involved, and I'm sure you'll join me in wishing the best for him.

It may interest some readers to know there is a Facebook page called Support Laura Buckingham: "This page is to provide information on ways to help Laura Buckingham as relates to her current legal situation."

I'm not interested in choosing sides, because this story strikes me as an instance of tragedy -- in the word's original sense.

1. (esp in classical and Renaissance drama) a play in which the protagonist, usually a man of importance and outstanding personal qualities, falls to disaster through the combination of a personal failing and circumstances with which he cannot deal.

2. (in later drama, such as that of Ibsen) a play in which the protagonist is overcome by a combination of social and psychological circumstances.

It isn't clear what a "good" ending might be, but it's the one I'm hoping for.

We will infer that Bread and Breakfast is closed for good.

There have been rumors for weeks, and numerous accompanying attempts to interpret tea leaves social media hints, so perhaps apart from a definitive announcement -- accepting an empty storefront as sufficient evidence -- we finally can acknowledge that Bread and Breakfast is no more.

I wish the very best to Laura, wherever she is, and whatever she plans on doing. It's simply impossible not to like her and to root for her.

However, as gently as possible, and coming from someone who has his own problems letting go ... and for whom life sometimes has gotten in the way ... permit me to suggest to food and drink operators that you cannot ever provide too much information.

If you intend to assemble an extended group of supporters via the medium of social media, then this in informational prerequisite applies in the good times and the bad. Don't leave them hanging. As indies, we need to exceed norms. We lose to chain-think because of a perceived absence of professionalism.

I'm saying not because any of it impacts me personally, but because yesterday, while walking to Quills for coffee, I spoke briefly with a man who was peering forlornly into the former Bread and Breakfast space. I stopped and told him that my best guess was Bread and Breakfast would not be coming back, although I didn't know for sure.

"It would have been nice to know that before I drove all the way here," he said. 

Yes: If you're no longer in business, then incidents like this can't hurt you. Obviously, you're suffering already, because letting go of your creation is painful enough. Trust me, I have an intimate understanding of this.

And yet, this fellow might not bother returning to New Albany at all. Maybe all the cafe regulars were savvy to what was happening, but that's no help to the casual walk-ups or a man like the one I met, who made a special trip to New Albany.

To repeat: All the best to Laura. You have mad talents, and I hope you're able to succeed in "next."

Meanwhile, reinforcements are on the way:

Adrienne & Co. is coming soon to 133 East Market Street, which remains one-way.

On Bread & Breakfast's Laura Buckingham, at Insider Louisville.

It may be easier to determine which media outlets Kevin Gibson isn't writing for, than the other way around. He is everywhere. Today at Insider Louisville, Kevin somehow manages to keep Laura Buckingham still long enough to squeeze off a photo. I wonder how he did that? Not only that, but judicial aspirant Richard Rush receives a gratis campaign plug.

Did you see that, Matt Lorch?

‘Eat all you want, New Albany:’ Bread & Breakfast’s Laura Buckingham is busy baking

Laura Buckingham flits about the kitchen so quickly and unpredictably that even she has trouble keeping track of where she is.

“Sorry,” she says to a visitor upon returning to a block of cream cheese she’s been intermittently working on. “I just lost track of time.”

Here's your bakery, John.

The former Schad Law Office on the corner of Main and Bank is being transformed into Bread and Breakfast.

Artisan breads, health bars, and vegetable based muffins and loafs. Personalized banners and cards. I try to include local ingredients in my creations.

I began business literally as a roadside stand on Hwy 150 selling artisan bread and baked goods and also have sold at the local Farmer's Markets. I am currently rehabbing a building located on Main Street in New Albany and hope to be open for business in my retail location prior to the harvest Homecoming. My retail location will operate as "Bread and Breakfast".

Coming soon to my new retail location at the corner of Bank and Main in the old Schad Law Office building.