Lubbock Criminal Defense Lawyers Association

The fabled Irresistible Force met an Immovable Object today. LCDLA Charter Member Alton Griffin was asked to introduce Texas Tech University head basketball coach Bob Knight as featured speaker at the noon luncheon of the Lubbock Lions Club (largest in the Whole Universe). Coach Knight instructed Alton to “keep the introduction short.” Alton replied, “You do the speech. I’ll do the introduction.” A few minutes later, Alton took the podium and said: “Here is the father of the next head basketball coach at Texas Tech University!”

Fred Bowers, former President of the Lubbock County Bar Association, was present at the meeting and received the LCDLA Special Recognition and Achievement Award for his courage in supporting LCDLA’s successful effort to remove the ill-fated victim’s monument from the Courthouse lawn.

PR Committee Chairperson, Jill Taylor-McCall reported her PR committee spoke to the Tulane baseball team September 27, 2005, and reminded them they aren’t in New Orleans any more. The committee met twice in the last month. The Tech/LCDLA brochures have been ordered and should arrive shortly. Jill asked for motto suggestions and said Brian Murray‘s suggestion was “inappropriate.” I thought it was a pretty good slogan.

Artie Aguilar announced the fight in the 106th may well be over as the DA there is now announcing his new open file policy. Congratulations to all who helped in this fight.

Dennis Reeves gave his report on our efforts to help the hurricane relief. The total gifts collected through LCDLA and paid to the Red Cross and Salvation Army were over $5000.00. This is just the money paid through our organization. Many members gave gifts of time and money outside of LCDLA. Thanks to all for the good Karma.

Mark Skelton reported our new brochures are at the printer and soon will be in your hand.

If you want to know about the new business we discussed, you should have come to the meeting. See you in November. We had over 50 people in attendance this month. Bring a friend next month. We’ve got the room. Keep reporting those victories.

Judge Darnell wanted the membership to review this case on a client’s right to testify. The mandate can be found here.

One of LCDLA’s long-time members, Tommy Turner, has announced he will seek appointment to the office of Lubbock County Criminal District Attorney.

Tommy, a well-known plaintiff’s trial lawyer, has extensive experience in criminal law as well. He served as a prosecutor in the CDA’s office in the 1970′s before going into private practice. In 1990, he won an acquittal for his client in a high-profile federal firearms case, U.S. vs. Lakas. He served as special prosecutor in a Court of Inquiry in 1994 that exposed pathologist Ralph Erdmann as incompetent and deceptive. This year, he served as special prosecutor in the Damon Richardson capital murder prosecution.

Support for Tommy’s appointment by Governor Rick Perry should be directed to Kenneth W. Anderson Jr., Director of Governmental Appointments, P.O. Box 12428, Austin, TX 78711.

Dear LCDLA Members:

I spoke with Lubbock County Court Administrator David Slayton today, and he informed me that by December 1, we should be on-line with Lubbock County computer service. We will have access to all criminal and civil case information, the capability to download all criminal and civil scanned documents, etc. Family law case information will not be accessible.

The Board of Judges is to adopt the new Texas Supreme Court rules regarding public electronic access, and I will be getting that information to you as soon as I can.

Each lawyer (law firm?) will be assigned a log-in ID and password, and David contemplates a $360 per year ($30 per month) service fee. Proceeds from this fund will be used to improve courtroom technology, David said.

I will try to keep everyone informed.

Chuck Lanehart, Court Liaison