roller coaster

up, down, up, down, down, up, down....Work was a roller coast last week. I elected on a drug case with Calvin for Wednesday. Of course he did not inform the court or my office that he failed to tell his client to come from Arizona. This is the second time in two weeks that he has done this. I decided it was time to let the court formally know on the record that he was manipulating the justice system yet again. I don't know how he gets away with all of these "stories" but hopefully one day, the judges will grow tired of his antics. I know I am doing the right thing and being an ethical lawyer, thus, I sleep well at night. I cannot say the same for Calvin.
After Wednesday, Tony put me on Duong Quoc Le's case. It is a horrible case involving a 7 month old, Tristan Pitts who was shaken by his babysitter. It is amazing to see Tristan's developments since the crime, but he will always be scared by the effects of May 7, 2009. I started working on the case Wednesday and preparing it for trial with Angel. Then, we met with the family on Thursday and discussed a plea recommendation of 15 years (we were originally at 18 years). The family wanted us to make the recommendation because they wanted to hear the defendant state what he did to Tristan. I was happy that the case was going to plea because I really didn't feel like I had prepared enough, however, on Friday, we thought it was going to trial and the defendant had rejected our plea. I worked all day Friday and until late Saturday night on the case. Angel called around 7:00 Saturday night and said the defendant had finally decided to take the plea recommendation. I was very disappointed at that point because I had been working so hard and dedicating so many hours to the trial. In the long run, it's best for the family, but I was really looking forward to my first real trial. Tony and I got a good laugh out of yet another one of my assigned cases ending in a plea....
Hopefully next week I can get something in the works for a trial....

a look back at 2011 and hopes for 2012

First blog of the New Year. Congratulations, you made it another year. 2011 was full of travels, learning, and family.
My job took off in 2011. Throughout the year, I traveled to New Orleans, Jackson, Destin, Dallas, Mobile, and a few other places. I learned more about child crimes and the death penalty. I still don't agree in taking the life of someone, no matter what. And I still believe life in prison is one of the harshest punishments one can be given. Although I didn't have any trials this year, I had several of them ready to go forward and got closure for victims thru pleas. I feel like I have been successful.
Not related to work, Spencer and I traveled to Destin, Las Vegas, Portland, New Orleans and a few other fun cities. I love the random vacations where we get lost exploring. Hopefully we can find several more fun places in 2012 to visit.
During some of those great travel experiences, we visited with family and friends. In Portland we visited Mary, Megan, Michelle, Thomas, and Andrew. We were also blessed with a wonderful visit with Aunt Donna and Uncle Amity. We got to spend more time with our local family too. Rachel and Tommy are back in Mississippi so my nephews and niece are just a short drive down the road. We are truly blessed to live in such a great place and to be surrounded by so many loved ones.
So far 2012, has been bitter sweet. Spencer and I took a trip to Mexico Beach and Sandestin for the New Year's countdown. We had a lovely time exploring the unknown and visiting with each other during our time off work. However, today, Aunt Mary passed on.  I know she had a wonderful journey on Earth and will be missed by many. She is one of my angels. I know.
Here is a toast to a wonderful 2012, full with mystery, happiness, experiences, family and health. Blessings.