Gerry

As you said in another of your books, THE SMOKING GUN, the presumption of innocence is a myth. It doesn’t exist, except in people’s hopeful minds. The minds of anyone so accused, that is, and in the minds of their families, friends and loved ones. They too are often despised by law enforcement, and often treated as badly as the accused themselves, just for the “crime” of being their advocates and friends.

So for those who still believe that “law enforcement does no wrong,” they should read books such as the one I mentioned previously. Believing in such myths can be dangerous to those who are unwilling to open their eyes.

Gerry

There are some amazing comments here on top of an amazing writer’s writings.

“The heroes are soon forgotten. The villains last a lifetime,” Richard Jewell told the Associated Press during an interview.

Here was a classic case of an innocent man being convicted in the media and in the minds of Americans.

A hero, a man doing his job and doing what was right in his efforts to save the lives of others, Jewell, was persecuted and falsely accused in the 1996 Summer Olympic bombing in Atlanta.

The real Olympic Park bomber was Eric Robert Rudolph, who also committed other crimes. Only Rudolph’s confession vindicated Jewell. Yet Mr. Jewell wrongly paid the price of guilt until his death.

What this man, Jewell, lived through I don’t think words can describe. He saved countless lives, yet he was condemned almost before the smoke had even cleared from the scene.

Jewell had been tried and convicted in the media. He is dead now, and hopefully the Lord has given him peace since the incident. Something I don’t think he could ever of had while here on earth.

I think if any one knows the history and the impact such as this Jewell story, it is the people who gather here to read your written wisdom, Mr. Spence.

How many stories like this are out there that we don’t hear about?

What does society pay for the damage it does to an innocent life as it had to Richard Jewell, or his family? Or those like him?

As your readers have commented on numerous examples, if it weren’t for lawyers such as you and them, where would America stand… or fall? And at what price would it cost? And who would pay that price?

When the innocent pay the price for guilt we all lose.

As a society, we, the people, need to rethink the course of our society’s future if we desire to call ourselves human, as you say, Mr. Spence.

Isn’t it so grand we can communicate like this, in cyberspace, people so far coming together so near.

Perhaps that is the only sliver of hope, we have in keeping our society from becoming totally barbaric, is to keep our communication lines open. Lines such as this one where we, the people, can communicate directly with one another.

Keep your stimulating writing going, Mr Spence. It makes us think, for better or of worst.
Cliff

Thank you for expanding my mind on the topic. I have a client who is taking on the big one and did nothing any of us would have done.

I can’t wait to show you my the ADA’s scalp when I am done with this one.

remy

I only recently noticed your October 10 post. You have perfectly captured the thoughts that go through an innocent defendant’s mind when wrongfully accused, indicted and forced to proceed through the court system.

Although the accusations against me were not murder (they were five white-collar felonies relating to a local political prosecution which were ultimately dismissed), the thought process I underwent was precisely as you describe. And I am still, six years later, recovering.

Also, I found Scout’s comment particularly interesting. After my excellent lawyer – Ben Bailey – absolutely eviscerated the local corrupt prosecutor, me sent a letter which said, among other things, ‘there is nothing scarier than representing the truly innocent’.

Thank you, Mr. Spence, for your lifetime of excellent work.

Thanks. It brings me joy that a good phrase can be turned occasionally, and appreciated by at least one person in the universe. Thanks again.

Gerry

I sometimes think that if I were President I might look around to find those successful and wise persons who are recovering alcoholics for members of my cabinet. Such persons know human weaknesses — their own — which they and we must learn about before we truly discover our strengths.

Gerry

Thanks for your comments.

Gerry