tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.comments2024-03-09T19:08:04.758-06:00Life at the Harris County Criminal Justice CenterMurray Newmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00662196272138109874noreply@blogger.comBlogger20235125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-91048215611230427442024-03-06T15:08:32.271-06:002024-03-06T15:08:32.271-06:00Well Don Hooper and his lovely wife have again bee...Well Don Hooper and his lovely wife have again been instrumental in the defeat of an incumbent district attorney with their support. Way to go Don and Rachel!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-25274255273220430752024-03-06T07:47:31.843-06:002024-03-06T07:47:31.843-06:00In the immortal words of the Great 21st Century Am...In the immortal words of the Great 21st Century American Philosopher, Mike Tyson;<br /><br />"I've seen some ass kicking, but THAT was an asskicking."<br /><br />Doug A'Hernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16132252257198317380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-68891694117565472022024-03-03T12:02:36.741-06:002024-03-03T12:02:36.741-06:00I met Skip as the complainant in an assault case. ...I met Skip as the complainant in an assault case. He sat cross legged, leaning back in the gallery front row like he was sitting on a park bench. As we waited for the fifteen defendant cattle call to reach my assailant, he graciously spoke to me, for almost half an hour, regarding my case, not that of his client.<br /><br />When I used my impact statement to alert the judge my assailant did not think the law applied to him; and, if he was released on probation, the, emboldened, criminal would be on my door- step by sunset. The judge we ballistic, admonishing me that was not how an impact statement could be used; and, if my memory is correct, implied contempt of court.<br /><br />Skip followed me into the hall; and, through his chuckling said: "Wow, he was hot. You were close to going to jail. I've never heard anyone use an impact statement to indict the DA. You did a great job."<br /><br />I've never received consideration, and a compliment, like that before; and, most likely, never will either. Skip was, and always will be, the people's lawyer.<br /><br />John CollinsJohn Collinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14087151463037517732noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-7432469211586797292024-02-25T12:11:26.832-06:002024-02-25T12:11:26.832-06:00I have read this post many times before deciding t...I have read this post many times before deciding to leave a comment, I started working there as a front desk clerk in 1994, it was named Howard Johnson, The Red carpet inn and Howard Johnson were part of Ramada inn next door at one time.<br />On February 1996 the Howard Johnson was acquired by Mr. Ali B. Kajani, it was renamed The Roadrunner motor inn, since I had been there for a couple of years and knew the motel inside out, Mr. Kajani asked me if I could manage the motel, which I agreed, so I was the manager there from 1996 until 2004 when the new owner took over on January 1st, 2004 NOT 2006.<br />During my years as the manager I witnessed a lot of illegal activity there, I tried to kick all those people out but they eventually came back or other ones came in, when I started working there in 1994 some guy suicided at the front desk, he took the gun from the security guard who was facing the front desk, he came from behind, took his gun, sat on the couch and shot himself, the bullet went out the window, the window was replaced, the glass wasn't tinted as the rest of the other windows and the clearer window in front of the front desk was a reminder of what happened there, the was also a murder in one of the part rooms, I was there when police officer Troy Bando was gunned down, and I actually witnessed the police officers struggling with the dealer who chocked on the bag of drugs, also on one occasion I witnessed a prostitute stabbing another prostitute on the back, she came running down the stairs and collapsed at the bottom soaked in blood, she was taken by the ambulance, days or weeks later a detective came to the motel and showed me a line up and I identified the aggressor, I never found out id the victim survived.<br />I remember one time one of the housekeepers called the front desk and asked me to come to one the rooms, when I went there, the bed was covered in blood, there was a screw driver covered in blood and the bedspread was missing, that led me to believe that someone wrapped in the bedspread and taken, police was called but never knew what actually took place in the room, it was scary.<br />I left in the summer of 2004 after working for Mr. Chen for about 6 months, on 2013 I saw on the news that the motel had burned down. <br />Now on 2024 that place sit empty with some buildings at the very back that look very similar to the buildings that used to be there, they look like hotel rooms but they have been there empty for years. <br /><br />BG. <br />General Manager for Road Runner Inn 1996-2003<br />Front desk manager Southwest Inn Jan 1st 2004 July 2004<br />Bg. Manager Roadrunner innhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05806450294882344616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-54404457730966191572024-02-25T04:02:39.072-06:002024-02-25T04:02:39.072-06:00Thank you, muchThank you, muchdudleysharphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12796468204722853648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-40952689281368942382024-01-31T19:09:44.891-06:002024-01-31T19:09:44.891-06:00I will never ever forget Kirby. I was just thinkin...I will never ever forget Kirby. I was just thinking of him tonight and saw that he had passed away two years ago. I’m so sad. He was the defense attorney on my very first trial and he kicked my butt all over the courtroom. Every time I saw him, I reminded him of it he would laugh with that wonderful laugh he had. I saw him after the incident with his son, and he did seem different. We sat outside on a bench in front of the juvenile justice center and I told him how sorry I was and he said he appreciated it. We really need more men like Kirby in this world . Beth Barronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14861851716748476871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-33787242191084282512024-01-22T11:12:02.731-06:002024-01-22T11:12:02.731-06:00I'm heart broken. Just found out Atty Kirby Ta...I'm heart broken. Just found out Atty Kirby Taylor passed. Rest in Paradise Sir. It was such an honor to know you.🙏Joycelyn Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03558845561512209667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-3387017649556160422023-12-14T14:45:13.358-06:002023-12-14T14:45:13.358-06:00I always felt fortunate the Chuck hired me. I came...I always felt fortunate the Chuck hired me. I came to learn that HCDA was run so well not because of Chuck, but because of those under him who were amazing (Bert, Lyn, Lucy, Kelly, etc). While Chuck's legacy is complicated, I'm thankful for being given the opportunity. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-75373811694683412872023-11-26T10:51:38.967-06:002023-11-26T10:51:38.967-06:00Well said. Even those of us who were contemporari...Well said. Even those of us who were contemporaries with Chuck, had misgivings about his running for DA. The antics were legend, as was his aloofness. But frankly, he was the only one who had the financial ability to run. If you remember, even Johnny hesitated to provide support. I agree that Chuck didn’t change policies and practices when he took over and let us do our jobs. In fact, I rarely saw him at all. I think that is attributable to his reclusive nature. I had retired before the email scandal broke and didn’t subscribe to the Chronicle, so I got the story second hand. But, I wasn’t surprised. Your comments only reminded me of how much everyone felt betrayed by his conduct. Don’t get me wrong, I never disliked Chuck, so much as I dislike the disrepute he brought on the office that was then one of the most admired anywhere. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to have improved. I sure miss Mike.Jigsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-58306941438370191132023-11-25T15:06:53.222-06:002023-11-25T15:06:53.222-06:00Racist just means anti-white.
Not only were the...Racist just means anti-white. <br /><br />Not only were the emails weak sauce as far as racism goes, but it shows how spineless conservatives really are. Woodfill called for Chucks resignation like any stupid conservative would, because if conservatives can prove that they are totally not racist, and that liberals are the real racists, that = libs owned.<br /><br />I swear, conservatives are so weak they cant even eliminate the non-cucked whites on their own. They only purpose they serve is to tattle to the liberals on the few true 1950s conservatives left, and let the libs do the cancelling. <br /><br />The whole system is an sham which only serves to legitimize violence against white people. The decent cops and DAs who do their jobs (aka the racists) just get thrown in prison for their trouble, so that crooked guards can get bribed to look the other way when the shank comes out. I really hate the pretense of legitimacy this blog attempts to gloss our system with. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-15635956803375538132023-11-24T16:05:21.009-06:002023-11-24T16:05:21.009-06:00At an end his rule is and not short enough it was....At an end his rule is and not short enough it was.Leenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-24630375065124360342023-11-04T19:14:02.095-05:002023-11-04T19:14:02.095-05:00Anon 4:09 p.m.,
I mentioned my thoughts on the St...Anon 4:09 p.m.,<br /><br />I mentioned my thoughts on the State's voir dire. It was fine for the amount of time allotted.Murray Newmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00662196272138109874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-63995932224988352752023-11-03T16:09:48.191-05:002023-11-03T16:09:48.191-05:00No comment on how the state of Texas did on voir d...No comment on how the state of Texas did on voir dire?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-13458811850399871952023-11-02T16:17:19.132-05:002023-11-02T16:17:19.132-05:00Lee,
I didn't get VIP treatment. The entire p...Lee,<br />I didn't get VIP treatment. The entire panel was treated with courtesy and respect by the 180th District Court staff and they should be commended for that. It isn't always the case. I know of a former judge who used to leave jury panels sitting in the hallway for hours on end.<br />Murray Newmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00662196272138109874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-55078256801667831352023-11-02T15:44:56.211-05:002023-11-02T15:44:56.211-05:00A problem with the failures of the criminal justic...A problem with the failures of the criminal justice system is that blame can be assigned to any number of actors. The police blame the prosecutor, the governor does not want to second guess the jury, the warden is just doing that the court told him to do, the prosecutor is just moving forward with the case information from the police, the jury is just buying what the better lawyer sells, the judge is just following the law that the legislature put in place, the legislature is simply following the will of their campaign donors, and Pilate is just washing his hands of the matter blaming the Jewish Sanhedrin. Where exactly does the buck stop? Leenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-74243639092032424962023-10-31T21:15:52.618-05:002023-10-31T21:15:52.618-05:00Glad the VIP treatment worked out well for you. F...Glad the VIP treatment worked out well for you. For the rest of us Sudra, That is not how it normally goes.Leenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-56470946025493993532023-10-30T12:14:20.855-05:002023-10-30T12:14:20.855-05:00Skip worked quiet magic at the CJC. As a felony #3...Skip worked quiet magic at the CJC. As a felony #3, I learned quickly that if Skip pointed out a problem with my case, I needed to listen hard to what he was telling me. Most recently, he talked about the logistics of a prosecutor screening a case for Jury trial, and I only wish our current DA would adopt such a clear and common-sense policy. For the 20+ years that I knew Skip, if he was willing to chat, I stopped everything because I learned something every time. He upheld the highest ethical standards and treated his clients respectfully. The CJC is less without him. <br />Catherine EvansC.E.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13008768999072169102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-34798626089158893882023-10-26T18:08:51.110-05:002023-10-26T18:08:51.110-05:00Murray
Skip was the best. Thank you for writing a...Murray <br />Skip was the best. Thank you for writing about him. Ironic that the best would not sell his services but reserved them for the poor. Skip loved Clarence Darrow. Skip was by far the closest lawyer we had to Clarence Darrow. He was the Attorney for the Damned, and Harris County was a better place because of Skip.<br /><br />Robb FickmanRobb Fickmanhttp://fickmanlaw.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-50011012761651543782023-10-24T15:17:56.412-05:002023-10-24T15:17:56.412-05:00Sad to hear this, RIP Skip.Sad to hear this, RIP Skip.granky2https://www.blogger.com/profile/12048066567747737299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-20528891152522557542023-10-22T17:51:23.374-05:002023-10-22T17:51:23.374-05:00Thanks for posting that great tribute for Skip.Thanks for posting that great tribute for Skip.Danny Easterlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12412185584325519882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-48036475596855270892023-10-09T14:22:40.506-05:002023-10-09T14:22:40.506-05:00Murray, Where have you been? I miss your legal ho...Murray, Where have you been? I miss your legal horror stories.Leenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-24609171197071270172023-10-05T22:03:43.553-05:002023-10-05T22:03:43.553-05:00Might need to bring that backMight need to bring that backAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-68588660641471570622023-08-17T22:26:43.218-05:002023-08-17T22:26:43.218-05:00Lee, I think Murray is saying that the experience ...Lee, I think Murray is saying that the experience and skill of the lawyer is irrelevant to the pay they receive for appointed cases only. Now, you do have to have a certain amount of experience to get appointed on certain cases. You're not going to be on a death penalty case if all your experience is in JP court with traffic tickets. That would just be an easy appellate win on "ineffective assistance of counsel" and the case would have to be re-tried. Whatever.<br /><br />The point is, that the private market does take into account experience and more importantly, results. I think your questions are really demanding on Murray's time, and that's unfair. I however, enjoy this shit. <br /><br />Whatever I think of your questions, I do believe that they expose precisely why the state should not be carrying the legal bills for anyone accused of a crime.<br /><br />Your questions are leading up the the conclusion that appointed attorneys are controlled opposition because the state signs their paycheck. The controlled opposition is to add the illusion of legitimacy to the proceeding. This is true. And because it does not really add legitimacy, we should stop spending money on nothing but theatre.<br /><br />Frankly, the fact that you've paid few thousand for a few misdemeanors is a good deal. If your case is $3,000.00 and takes 18 months, that's about $160.00 a month. Not really a lot considering the amount of work your lawyer does on your case each given month. If he works for 5 hours a month, that's about $30 an hour. That's average for skilled labor, but attorneys have an education to pay for too. If I were you, I'd be grateful it's not worse. <br /><br />The fact it's not is just proof that the system is really on your side. You are the weapon.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-22298425171793310912023-08-14T12:55:29.268-05:002023-08-14T12:55:29.268-05:00Murray,
When you say that the expierence and skil...Murray,<br /><br />When you say that the expierence and skill of the lawyer are irrelivant to the pay scale, should we infer that novice lawyers are held to the same preformance standard as Matlock? Do you think this is as it should be or would you suggest differently?Leenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-11145075198158429402023-08-14T12:53:08.443-05:002023-08-14T12:53:08.443-05:00Murray,
Follow up Question,
1) If you have your ...Murray, <br /><br />Follow up Question,<br />1) If you have your legal assistant downloading the discovery of an appointed case (hours of video footage for example) do you get to bill the court for the work that they do as if you were doing the work or does the legal assistant's salary come out of your pocket?<br /><br />2) Is there a quota or median amount of time that the court expects you to provide on a case? Will you attract the ire of the court if you spend too much or too little time on a case? Is there a maximum cap that the court will reimburse regardless of time spent on a case?<br /><br />3) Even if I were to privately retain counsel an a fee basis to handle a misdemenor, it is a ballpark figure of $3,000-$6,000. How do lawyers arrive at these fees? I suppose that this works like any other business in that to profit, you must clear your overhead. Can yo trace the thought process on what overhead lawyers are considering that they have to clear when they quote fees?Leenoreply@blogger.com