Posted on 11/27/2008 6:44:44 AM PST by RedRover
A Houston defense attorney on Thursday exhorted peers in Oklahoma County to embrace their "special responsibility.
Jack Zimmerman said it is vital for attorneys to be willing to stand between the government and those overmatched individuals it tries to put in prison.
"When youre dealing with liberty, and not money, you have a special responsibility, he said.
Zimmerman on Thursday discussed one of his recent cases involving a former Edmond Marine accused of murdering civilians in Iraq at the annual meeting of the Oklahoma County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association at the Cox Convention Center.
He detailed his defense of Lance Cpl. Stephen Tatum, one of several Marines who faced criminal charges after a Nov. 19, 2005, raid in Haditha, a western Iraq village known as a hotbed of insurgence.
Zimmerman maintained Tatum only did what he was trained to do that day. The case ended in March when military prosecutors dropped all charges against Tatum, who has since left the Marine Corps and is looking to go to college in January.
Tatum, who was at the meeting with his parents, drew a standing ovation from the crowd of more than 150 lawyers and their guests when Zimmerman introduced him as a "hero.
Of course they are "okie's" so maybe that explains it.........
: )
Fortunately, lily’s kichen is equipped with an observation area behind shatterproof plexiglass.
A good job on Thanksgiving and the kids love em.
Bump-a-roo-nee!
Nice story!
pingie-dingie
You’ve probably already seen it though.
‘nother BUMP!
Love the pictures!
That family was put through hell for nothing. For Tatum’s willingness to put his life on the line for all of us. Glad he’s out of the USMC and off to college.
Did you win the Battle of the Wishbone?
Great to see, ticked! Hope you and yours had a marvelous Thanksgiving!
Hope yours was good, too.
The big dinner is tonight with everyone. Come on over, there’s plenty!
Rats. I didn’t even see it. I think granny took for a death wishbone...102 Thanksgivings...that’s a lot of turkeys. Her mind is young.
Great picture of the Tatums with Mr. Zimmerman and their very happy and very free son.
Thanks and God Bless You for all you've done.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.