Jewell's Lawyer: Arrest Doesn't Undo Harm (1996 Olympic bombing)

ap ^ | 5/31/2003 | ap

[TLBSHOW]

Jewell's Lawyer: Arrest Doesn't Undo Harm

Richard Jewell's Attorney Says Rudolph's Arrest Doesn't Undo Harm to Client

ATLANTA May 31 — The attorney for Richard Jewell, who was investigated in the 1996 Olympic bombing and named by a newspaper as a suspect, said the only thing that will ease his client's mind is the conviction of the real bomber.

"The arrest of Eric Rudolph does nothing to change the injustice suffered by Richard Jewell," attorney Lin Wood said Saturday. "It will be interesting now to be able to see the government's evidence against Mr. Rudolph in connection to the Centennial Park bombing."

Jewell declined to comment on the Saturday arrest of Rudolph, who is suspected of planting the park bomb and others at or near two abortion clinics and a gay nightclub.

Jewell was a security guard when the park bomb exploded July 27, 1996, killing one woman and injuring 111 people during the Atlanta Olympics.

He was considered a hero for helping evacuate the park just before the bomb went off, but three days later The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that the FBI was investigating him.

Jewell was cleared by the FBI three months later and eventually filed a civil suit against the newspaper that is still pending.

"The portrayal of Richard Jewell as the bomber was so intense," Wood said. "Richard is always remembered as the person who bombed the park and is never remembered as the man who reacted heroically that night to save so many lives."

Wood said Jewell is working as a police officer in an undisclosed Georgia town, and added that he is married and "trying to regain privacy."

[EggsAckley]

Richard, your fifteen minutes of fame ended quite a while ago. Don't embarass yourself.

[Drango]

Behind Waco and Ruby Ridge, the FBI has to be real proud of Jewell.

And I support law and order

[MEG33]

NBC paid Jewell 500,000 for their hype.I don't know how much CNN paid....The media hyped the investigation.

[BobbyK]

Seems like Lin Wood is John and Patsy Ramsey's attorney?

For All you fifteen minutes of fame piling on, it was a fact that Jewel saved a few people that night.

Just how would you like to go under the same scrutiny?

[OutSpot]

"Richard, your fifteen minutes of fame ended quite a while ago. Don't embarass yourself."

Your pretty closed minded. I am sure Richard is not looking for a book deal or media attention. Mr. Jewell went to hell and back all because an incompetent and overzealous FBI. What went on with that fiasco was character assassination to the 9th degree.

Let's never forget what the FBI did to this man. Honestly I am glad to be reminded.

[gaucho]

Let's never forget what the FBI did to this man. Honestly I am glad to be reminded.

I totally agree.

[CFC__VRWC]

Sounds to me like Jewell's doing the exact opposite of trying to extend his 15 minutes, as he refused to comment and is letting his attorney do the talking. You had to figure that the media would come calling for him to comment on Rudolph's arrest, given his unwanted and unwarranted role in the story.

[ColdSteelTalon]

Richard Jewel got railroaded. I too would sue the urine out of the gubberment on down to Tom Brokenjaw. More power to him.

No one can screw you like the gubberment and the media.

[nvcdl]

In those pre-9/11 days Jewell used his head and saved many lives as opposed to the FBI's lawyers & management who killed investigations of Muslim terrorists...

[ColdSteelTalon]

Point well taken :)