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Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Rules of Engagement: Comments Edition

Yesterday, I was assigned a First Degree Felony case against Rachel Palmer.

In my dealings on the case with Rachel she was professional, courteous, and actually, friendly.  I hope that (given the history between us exhibited on this blog) I reciprocated that professionalism.

For those of you who have followed this blog over the past five years, you should recognize that I have never tried one of my cases through the blog and I have never criticized or commented on someone I was trying a case against.  I don't believe in that.  I believe that cases should be tried in courtrooms.

In the past, I have made comments about Rachel and I have allowed comments on the blog about her.

They stop today.

You can write in, but I'm not going to post any comments regarding her.

The work I do as a lawyer -- whether I win or lose -- will be based on what happens in the courtroom and not the Internet.

I genuinely appreciate how Rachel handled the case on our first appearance yesterday and I look forward to dealing with her on this case (and any other cases that arise) in the future.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good call Murray!

Ron in Houston said...

Murray

I applaud your principled stand. While I don't think anyone would hold your accountable for your idiot commenters, (Hmm, do I resemble that remark?) you do have a duty to not allow stinking piles of crap in your back yard.

I'd comment further but I think there are some piles in my back yard that need tending to.

Anonymous said...

You are right, Murray!

Anonymous said...

Wow Murray very impressive....forgiveness is a divine virtue.

Rachael's hubby, Don Hooper, is a really neat guy also if you give him a chance.

We'll have to mend our fences one of these days and hoist a few brewskies at Char Bar.

Jim

Murray Newman said...

Anon 8:33,

It has nothing to do with forgiveness.

It has everything to do with professionalism and not letting political differences and personal animosity effect the representation of a client.

I'm surprised at how many people can't see that.

Anonymous said...

What a magnanimous gesture! To treat an other lawyer with civility in the courtroom. I am sure the hoi polloi are in awe of your very gracious public announcement. And here I thought you were the Ellsworth Toohey of the Harris County Criminal Justice Center.

R. Roark

Murray's Epiphany said...

Dear and good friend Murray Newman:

I challenge any of your clients to produce a shred of credible evidence to support you treating them in any way other than with the utmost professionalism.

To suggest that your political differences and personal animosity ever effected your ability to zealously defend your clients, until now is ludicrous.

Many of us have challenged some of your opinions in the past but no one could ever question your integrity, WTF Murray?

As to what triggered this epiphany, I suspect we'll have to settle on your asserting the 5th.


C. Kennedy said...

Wow, that's disappointing to hear. Its your blog and obviously this about-face is your perogative, but I just removed the link to this blog from "my favorites." Palmer took personal shot after personal shot against you for years, and vice versa. It seems odd that you would take this approach with her now under the cloack of the ol' "I don't want to do anything to harm my client" mantra. Because I don't think you can say with a straight face that you would have taken this stance had you been her opposition on a case whilst Lykos was still in office.

I think I speak for many when I say that the single reason this blog has been consistently interesting over the past 4 years is because its author has had the courage to call a spade a spade. My suspicion will be that the new administration, should it find itself doing something foolish, will not suffer the same scrutiny as the former administration. Hopefully, I'm wrong.

C. Kennedy

Anonymous said...

am proud of you murray. I have always liked Rachel and she knows a lot about sports.i never understood why people have messed with her so much. she has looked sad the past year. she has always been fair and pleasant on cases ive had with her. anonymous

Anonymous said...

This is truly amazing! The world is truly round, isnt it Murray. The horrible things that you have been dealing to good people is coming back to haunt you. HAAAAA!

Anonymous said...

Can you let us know what court so we can watch the docket. I would love to stop by the next time the two of you have an appearance just to witness how nice you are to each other!

Brad Walters said...

I think Murray is smart to call a truce while he has a client who is in the balance. No need to risk having an offended ADA that could affect the recommendations and decisions of that ADA when the offending material has nothing to do with his client's case. If you are gonna raise the hair on the back of the ADA it should be about the case not collateral matters.

Mark Bennett said...

I, for one, have always held Murray accountable for his idiot commenters. If he weren't otherwise a hell of a good guy, I'd have quit him long ago.

XO
MB

Anonymous said...

I, for one, have always held Murray accountable for his idiot commenters.

Say an idiot commenter...

Anonymous said...

Time to forgive Jim Leitner as well. He was a mentor to many ADAs during his brief tenure as 1st asst. and every ADA knew he had their back. Jim is a brilliant trial attorney, patriot and man of God who has given most of his life to the service of country through the US Coast Guard, service to his community as a Harris County ADA and service to God as a Sunday school teacher.

Judge Pat Lykos is harder to forgive but must be forgiven for you to move on. She did have a soft spot for our 4 legged friends, the mentally challenged and our elders.

I'm proud of you Murray for focusing on the goodness instead of all the animosity. Keep it up.

Anonymous said...

Is she in the 179th now? I saw her up there yesterday.

Murray Newman said...

Anon 2:40,
Like I said before, this is about civility and professionalism. Not forgiveness.

Rage,
You emails are getting bounced back from your pseudonym account. What gives? I was going to respond to your earlier comment (that I didn't publish) privately. But to answer your question: no, bed wetting at this age is NOT normal and you should consult a doctor immediately

Anonymous said...

2:40- You must be a friggin' nut.

Bennett Protoge' said...

You might consider disclosing the following conflicts of interest:

1. Doesn't she own your website?

2. Isn't she "doing business as" your website?



Things that make you go hmmm...

Murray Newman said...

Anon 1:54,

No, that might make stupid people go "Hmmm", but nobody else.

She doesn't own anything regarding this website.

Anonymous said...

@ 2:40 PM,

What does god have to do with anything. So he believed in god, that doesn't make Jim an ethical person because in his case god was not good.

Anonymous said...

The court of inquiry case against Williamson County District Judge Ken Anderson is supposed to convene Monday 2-4-13.

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