Attorney slain in 100 North Main parking garage in Memphis

Here's some followup on that story:

Not for personal use & all that jazz.

The Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)
May 21, 2002 Tuesday Final Edition
NEWS; Pg. A1

4 ADMIT FRAUD AMID QUESTIONS ON DEATH OF LICENSE EXAMINER
Lawrence Buser

After four men with ties to the Middle East pleaded guilty Monday in a Tennessee driver's license fraud case, new questions arose about a central figure in the case - a state driver's license examiner who died in a mysterious, fiery car wreck just days after her arrest.

The case drew national attention earlier this year because of the still-unsolved death of Katherine Smith and the revelation one of the defendants, a naturalized plumber from Jordan living in New York, had been in the World Trade Center days before the twin towers were destroyed by hijacked airliners.

In a hearing Monday morning before U.S. Dist. Judge Bernice Donald, federal prosecutors said, however, had the cases gone to trial, there would have been no evidence presented that the defendants were involved in terrorist activities or in Smith's Feb. 10 death on U.S. 72 in Fayette County. Federal and state authorities said Monday that the wreck remains under investigation but the fire in the car was set and the crash did not cause Smith's death.

Tennessee Highway Patrol Capt. Jimmy Erwin said Monday that he is waiting on autopsy test results from the Medical Examiner's Office before the cause of death is officially determined.

He said neither suicide nor homicide has been ruled out.

Smith, a state employee for 27 years, had been charged with conspiring to provide driver's licenses fraudulently as part of a scheme involving the other defendants.

A handwritten letter by Smith dated Feb. 5 - the day of her arrest - was included in pretrial discovery material the government provided to defense attorneys.

After the hearing, defense attorney Jeffrey Jones showed the letter to several reporters.

Asked if the letter appeared to be a suicide note, Jones said, "That's certainly one interpretation."

Written on green flowered stationery headed "Gardening Angel," the note read: "I Katherine Smith tried to help Kal. He didn't give me any money. He was I thought my friend. I was trying to help him. Now I've lost everything and am called a liar when I was telling the truth. I can't live without any honor. I live a lonely life true enough but I didn't lie to the FBI. Forgive me John. Forgive me Vernola. I can't live this way. I love you both and wish and pray for the best. Love Mama."

The names in the letter, apparently discovered during the FBI's investigation, refer to alleged conspiracy ringleader Khaled Odtllah, who is known as "Kal," and Smith's son and daughter, John Barton IV and Vernola Buchanan.

Pleading guilty to the one-count conspiracy indictment Monday were Odtllah, 31, a Cordova resident from Jerusalem; Mostafa Said Abou-Shahin, 26, a carpenter from Egypt; Sakher A. Hammad, 24, a New York plumber from Jordan and the lone defendant who is an American citizen, and his cousin Abdelmuhsen Mahmid Hammad, 32, also a plumber living in New York.

A fifth defendant, Mohammed A. Fares, pleaded guilty earlier this month. Fares has a Venezuelan passport, but his family is from Lebanon.

Each faces a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine and a minimum of immediate probation when sentenced in June and August by Donald. Those who are not citizens also face the possibility of deportation and remain in federal custody.

A minor teenager arrested in the case was handled in Juvenile Court.

Federal prosecutor Tim DiScenza said Odtllah, who had been living here for two years, provided Tennessee driver's licenses to illegal immigrants for about $1,000 each.

The Hammads of New York found clients and drove them to Memphis where Smith would issue them driver's licenses without requiring proper documentation, he said.

He said Tennessee was vulnerable to such a scheme because the state does not require immigrants to provide a Social Security number.

The Hammads in February drove Fares and Abou-Shahin and the juvenile to Memphis from New York to get four licenses. They met with Odtllah here and were arrested as they attempted to obtain licenses at the Summer Avenue testing station.

FBI agents and the highway patrol had set up surveillance after receiving a tip from the New York FBI office.

During their separate guilty pleas Monday, at least two of the defendants asked their attorneys to emphasize that they are not being accused of terrorist activity. DiScenza then made a statement to that effect.

Jones, who represents Sakher Hammad, said the World Trade Center visitor's pass found in his client's wallet was needed because he had worked on the center's sprinkler system plumbing.

He said Hammad also had a card that indicated he had donated money to the victims of the Sept. 11 attack.

"My guy's a fairly conservative guy," Jones said.

The guilty pleas were straightforward and routine for the most part as Donald asked each man, some requiring Arabic interpreters, if he was pleading voluntarily and understood the implications.

She also asked each defendant why he was pleading guilty, drawing tearful responses from Odtllah who said, "I made mistake. I didn't know I was breaking the law. I didn't mean to break the law."

Abdelmuhsen Mahmid Hammad also wept when asked about his residency in New York, where he had been living with his wife and three U.S.-born children.

"I'm just concerned about my wife," he said through an interpreter.

Medical examiner ambushed Bomb, barbed wire, acid used in attack on Smith

By Yolanda Jones
yojones@gomemphis.com
June 3, 2002

An attacker ambushed Shelby County Medical Examiner Dr. O. C. Smith Saturday night, wrapped him from head to toe in barbed wire and strapped a bomb to his body.

Police said Smith left his office at about 10 and was headed to the parking lot when someone threw an acid-like substance in his face to subdue him.

For nearly three hours, he was unable to move or shout for help because of the barbed wire in his mouth.

A security guard spotted Smith's vehicle in the parking lot, became suspicious and found Smith about 12:30 a.m. Sunday outside the office building in the medical center.

The police bomb squad was called to free Smith because of the device bound to his body. Smith was taken to the Regional Medical Center at Memphis and treated for cuts, bruises and a chemical burn to his face.

Released early Sunday, Smith went back to his office to help investigators work the case.

"This is his character," said Deputy Chief R. G. Wright of the Memphis police. "He is always willing to help out and always go the extra mile no matter what."

Sunday, police had more questions than answers. "Yes, this was a functioning device that could have caused serious injuries or killed somebody," said Gene Marquez, resident agent in charge of the federal Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms office in Memphis.

This is the second time in the last three months a bomb or explosive device has been left on the doorstep of the Shelby County Regional Forensic Center, which houses the morgue and the Medical Examiner's Office.

On March 13, a bomb and two smaller explosive-type devices were found in a stairwell of the building at 1060 Madison.

At the time, local and federal agents couldn't say for sure if Smith and his staff were the targets. Saturday's attack on Smith left police with little doubt about the focus of the attack but no answers as to why.

"We don't know a motive and aren't making any assumptions as to why anyone would want to hurt Dr. Smith," said Wright.

During a noon press conference, Memphis police and ATF agents wouldn't disclose specifics of the investigation such as information about a suspect or details about the device. Authorities said Smith was found on an outside stairway on the west side of the forensic center building. It was near the area where the bomb and other devices were found in March.

"All we can say is the components of this device are similar to the one found in March," said Marquez. "Both are not very sophisticated and are very similar, but until we finish the investigation we can't say if the two are connected."

When the device was removed from Smith, police X-rayed it to see if it was an explosive device. When they determined it was a bomb, they sent it to the ATF lab in Atlanta for further analysis.

Today, the ATF's National Response Team, made up of agents who are experts on explosive devices and who specialize in profiling bombers, will arrive in Memphis.

"This is the cream of the cream," Marquez said. "We are planning to saturate this investigation and team up with local police on this matter immediately."

The ATF also is offering a $5,000 reward for information about the case.

The Commercial Appeal could not reach Smith, who was placed under heavy security, for comment.

Smith, 49, is one of several local forensic science specialists who help investigate criminal cases.

Last year, anonymous letters threatened harm to Smith, a prosecution witness in the long-running case of convicted Memphis cop killer Philip Workman.

Smith said at the time that he had not received any letters himself but was taking the threats "very seriously."

Workman's attorneys had challenged the validity of Smith's ballistics and laboratory tests. Smith said the tests proved Workman's bullet killed Memphis police Lt. Ronald Oliver in 1981.

In one letter, the writer called Smith a liar and said, "Long have I waited for my HOLY ORDER to fight against the DOCTOR-KILLER abortionists but now I know OUR LORD was saving me for something larger."

"I know Dr. Smith has worked several big cases, but I can't imagine who would want to hurt him," said Wright. "That is what we are working on now to find out."

Known for his precision and thorough work, Smith is highly regarded by police and prosecutors and defense attorneys as well.

"In the 1994 case where we found three homicide victims hidden in the cemetery, Dr. Smith was right there down in the graves working hard like always," said Wright.

Police are asking anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 528-CASH or the ATF hotline at (888) ATF-BOMB.

- Yolanda Jones: 529-2380

At the time of the attack, Smith's office had not yet made a determination for Katherine Smith's death, homicide vs. suicide. How many women burn themselves alive with gasoline in a suicide?

If Smith's defense attorney Jeffrey Jones is the one who was offed, I'd say that the Goron state has a little terrorist problem he needs to deal with.

Tennessee Highway Patrol Capt. Jimmy Erwin said Monday that he is waiting on autopsy test results from the Medical Examiner's Office (i.e. Smith, the guy they found with a bomb strapped to him)before the cause of death is officially determined.

He said neither suicide nor homicide has been ruled out.

Thanks for the article.

In one letter, the writer called Smith a liar and said, "Long have I waited for my HOLY ORDER to fight against the DOCTOR-KILLER abortionists but now I know OUR LORD was saving me for something larger."

These guys never quit. I think this is another smoke screen, like domestic terrorists upset about abortion were mailing the anthrax.

"How many women burn themselves alive with gasoline in a suicide? "

And then start driving.

The attorney is being identified as Robert Friedman by Memphis television stations.

Pleae keep following up with this story and all its angles.

The use of acid is very suspicious as it has been used by jihadis in Kashmir, India in particular to deface women violating some idiotic strictures of the jihadis.

And the plumber angle is mind boggling.

Wake Up, America! The're Heeeeere!!!

Who's the prosecuting attorney in Memphis?

The position is known as the District Attorney General in Memphis/Shelby County. The current officeholder is Bill Gibbons.

website *here*.

This is the same medical examiner who did the autopsy on Don Wiley, the Harvard microbiologist.

Robert M. Friedman, Esq.

Personal Data:

Born June 19, 1950, Memphis, Tennessee.
Married to Elaine Freda Burson.
Two children: Daniel and Jonathan Friedman.
Educational Background:

Bachelor of Science, University of Tennessee, 1973.
International Legal Study, Exeter University, England, 1974.
Tennessee Law Review, 1973-75.
Doctor of Jurisprudence, University of Tennessee, 1975.
Advanced Criminal Litigation Course, National College of Trial Advocacy, Seattle, Washington, 1985,
Professional Associations:

American Bar Association
Association of Trial Lawyers of America
State of Tennessee, Commissioner for the Tennessee Judicial Selection Commission, 1994-2002
Tennessee Bar Association
Member of House of Delegates, 1991-1994
Chairperson of Criminal Justice Section, 1991-1994
Designated Solicitor for Tennessee Bar Association before the Tennessee
Supreme Court re: Amendments to Rule 13 and Adoption of Rule 13.01
of the Tennessee Supreme Court Rules, 1994
Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Board of Directors, 1994-95
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Vice-Chair of Law Practice Management Committee, 1990
Co-Chair Seizure and Forfeiture Abuse Task Force, 1992-1995
Life Membership-1993
Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association
Memphis Bar Association, Inc.
Member Judiciary Practice & Procedure Committee, 1986-1995
Federal Bar Association
National Criminal Justice Association (Charter Member)
Admitted to Tennessee Bar, 1976
Admitted to Practice Before United States District Court, Western District of Tennessee, 1977
Admitted to Practice Before United States District Court, State of Mississippi, 1979
Admitted to Practice Before United States District Court, Southern District, Texas, 1986
Admitted to Practice Before United States Court of Appeals, (Fifth Cir.), 1979
Admitted to Practice Before United States Court of Appeals, (Sixth Cir.), 1986
Admitted to Practice Before United States Supreme Court, 1983
Admitted to Practice "Pro Hac Vice" in numerous States, including but not limited to,
Mississippi, Arkansas, Georgia, Alabama, Virginia, North Carolina, South
Carolina, Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, Nevada, Indiana, Utah, and Ohio
Recent Seminars/Presentations:

"Defending Drug Cases in the State and Federal System: Fourth Amendment Issues - Search, Seizure, and Forfeiture," 1990 Bench/Bar Conference, Hot Springs, Arkansas
"Docket Control: More Than Knowing Your Next Court Date" - National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 1991 Spring Meeting, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
"Fourth Amendment -- Current Issues in Controlled Substance Litigation," 1991 Annual John Dice Seminar, Memphis, Tennessee
"Conscription in the Courts of the 1990's/Constitutional Issues in Criminal Defense," Tennessee Bar Association, 1992, Memphis, Tennessee
"State and Federal Seizure and Forfeiture Proceedings -- The Lord Giveth and the Government Taketh Away," Tennessee Bar Association/Criminal Justice Section, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992
"State and Federal Seizure and Forfeiture Proceedings -- The Lord Giveth and the Government Taketh Away," Tennessee Bar Association/Criminal Justice Section, Knoxville, Tennessee, 1992
"State and Federal Seizure and Forfeiture Proceedings -- The Lord Giveth and the Government Taketh Away," Tennessee Bar Association/Criminal Justice Section, Memphis, Tennessee, 1992
"Ethical Considerations Facing Criminal Practitioners," Tennessee Bar Association/Criminal Justice Section,
Knoxville, Tennessee, 1992
"Ethical Considerations Facing Criminal Practitioners," Tennessee Bar Association/Criminal Justice Section,
Nashville, Tennessee, 1992
"Ethical Considerations Facing Criminal Practitioners," Tennessee Bar Association/Criminal Justice Section,
Memphis, Tennessee, 1992
"Ethics in Litigation/Trial Practice," Memphis & Shelby County Bar Association, Panel Moderator and Speaker, Hot Springs, Arkansas, 1993
"Demonstrative Physical Evidence," Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Nashville, Tennessee, 1993
"Criminal Law Practice & Update," Memphis Bar Association, Biloxi, Mississippi, 1994
"High Impact Direct Examination," Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Annual Meeting, Nashville, Tennessee, August 1994
"Ethics and the Criminal Practice Lawyer/A Panel Discussion," Tennessee Bar Association, 10/14/94, Knoxville, Tennessee
"Ethics and the Criminal Practice Lawyer/A Panel Discussion," Tennessee Bar Association, 10/21/94, Memphis, Tennessee
Delegate of the State of Tennessee/Tennessee Bar Association to represent Tennessee at the "National Summit on Crime and Violence" conducted under the auspices of the American Bar Association, Washington, D.C., 1994
"Ethics & Professionalism," Tennessee Association of Investigators Annual Conference, "TAI-96," March, 1996 (Nashville, Tennessee)
"Federal Case Law and Statutory Update," The Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, "Criminal Law and Legislative Review," 6/22/96, Memphis, Tennessee
"Fraud Conference," The Tennessee Society of CPAs, "The Impact of the Standard [of new fraud auditing standard] on CPAs," 10/4/96, Brentwood, Tennessee
Awards:

Recipient, "Robert W. Richie Award" for Outstanding Service, Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 1993
Featured Biographee, "Who's Who in American Law"; "Who's Who in the World"; "Who's Who in the South and Southeast; Who's Who in America"
Recipient Outstanding Service Award and Key, Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity, 1972
Life Member/Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity, 1972
American Jurisprudence Award, Lawyers Co-Op Publishing Company and Bancroft-Whitney Company,1973-74
Chancellor's Honor Award, George C. Taylor School of Law, University of Tennessee, 1975
A.S. Graves Memorial Scholar, 1974-75, George C. Taylor School of Law
Outstanding Young Men of America, 1980
Boy Scouts of America, Vigil Honor Award, 1994, Order of the Arrow
James E. West Fellow, National Award, Boy Scouts of America, 1996
Community Affiliations:

Committee Member, Eagle Scout Day, Chickasaw Council of Boy Scouts of America, 1978-1995
Committee Member, Council Camping Committee, Chickasaw Council Boy Scouts of America, 1993-1996
Chairman, Friends of Scouting, Exploring District, Boy Scouts of America, 1994-95
Chairman, Jewish Committee on Scouting, Chickasaw Council, Boy Scouts of America, 1994-96
Eastern District Committeeman, Boy Scouts of America, 1991-1992
Chickasaw Council, Boy Scouts of America, Council Advisory Board, 1992-1993
Chickasaw Council, Boy Scouts of America, Executive Board, 1993-present
Chairman, Eagle Scout Recognition Day, 1993, Chickasaw Council, Boy Scouts of America
Chairman, Exploring District, Chickasaw Council, Boy Scouts of America, 1995-97
Scoutmaster, Troop #360, Chickasaw Council, Boy Scouts of America, 1991-present
Legal Counsel/Board of Directors, Evan R. Harwood Day Training Center, 1989-present (for the Multiple Handicapped)
Member, Tennessee Sheriff's Association, 1988-present
Charter Member, Tournament Player's Club at Southwind, 1987-present
Member, Crescent Club of Memphis, Tennessee/Club Corporation of America, 1993-present
George C. Taylor School of Law, University of Tennessee, Chancellor's Inter-Circle and Alumni Advisory Council, 1992-1996
Member/Finance Committee to Elect Ned R. McWherter Governor of Tennessee, 1985-86
Member/Tennessee Democratic Party
Contributing Member, Democratic National Committee
Member/Ducks Unlimited
Member/National Rifle Association
Special Deputy Sheriff, Fayette County, Tennessee, 1988-present

Military Service:
United States Coast Guard (Reserve) 1971-77

Professional Practice:
Senior Partner/President (1978-present)
Home

Robert M. Friedman
Ben G. Sissman
William W. Heaton
Lawrence W. White
Deborah A. Brandon* Law Offices of
Friedman, Sissman, and Heaton, P.C.
Attorneys At Law
Suite 3400, 100 North Main Building
Memphis, Tennessee 38103-0534

Phone: (901) 526-5975
Fax: (901) 527-3633 Office Manager
Lynn M. Corley
*also licensed in Louisiana Paralegal
Nancy M. Morrow
Kathy L. Dills

This page is maintained by WebNet Online
E-mail info@webnetonline.com Office (800) 233-9404
This site powered by WebNet

/21/02 10:19 a.m.

Memphis, TN - News Channel 3 has learned that the man shot and killed in a North Main street parking deck this morning was Memphis attorney Robert M. Friedman. Friedman is a senior partner of the Law Offices of Friedman, Sissman, and Heaton, P.C. and was apparently on his way to work when he was shot and killed on the 4th floor of the parking deck at 100 North Main.

Police say Friedman had just gotten out of his car, when a man walked up and shot him. Police are looking for the suspect in the shooting. He's described as a black man, with braids, wearing a black pin stripe suit, and was last seen running west on Jefferson before getting on a Mata bus.

The attorney is being identified as Robert Friedman by Memphis television stations.

Oh. That helps explain things. Bio info here:

Robert M. Friedman, Esq.

Personal Data:

Born June 19, 1950, Memphis, Tennessee.
Married to Elaine Freda Burson.
Two children: Daniel and Jonathan Friedman.

Educational Background:

Bachelor of Science, University of Tennessee, 1973.
International Legal Study, Exeter University, England, 1974.
Tennessee Law Review, 1973-75.
Doctor of Jurisprudence, University of Tennessee, 1975.
Advanced Criminal Litigation Course, National College of Trial Advocacy, Seattle, Washington, 1985,

Professional Associations:

American Bar Association
Association of Trial Lawyers of America
State of Tennessee, Commissioner for the Tennessee Judicial Selection Commission, 1994-2002
Tennessee Bar Association
Member of House of Delegates, 1991-1994
Chairperson of Criminal Justice Section, 1991-1994
Designated Solicitor for Tennessee Bar Association before the Tennessee
Supreme Court re: Amendments to Rule 13 and Adoption of Rule 13.01
of the Tennessee Supreme Court Rules, 1994
Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Board of Directors, 1994-95
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Vice-Chair of Law Practice Management Committee, 1990
Co-Chair Seizure and Forfeiture Abuse Task Force, 1992-1995
Life Membership-1993
Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association
Memphis Bar Association, Inc.
Member Judiciary Practice & Procedure Committee, 1986-1995
Federal Bar Association
National Criminal Justice Association (Charter Member)
Admitted to Tennessee Bar, 1976
Admitted to Practice Before United States District Court, Western District of Tennessee, 1977
Admitted to Practice Before United States District Court, State of Mississippi, 1979
Admitted to Practice Before United States District Court, Southern District, Texas, 1986
Admitted to Practice Before United States Court of Appeals, (Fifth Cir.), 1979
Admitted to Practice Before United States Court of Appeals, (Sixth Cir.), 1986
Admitted to Practice Before United States Supreme Court, 1983
Admitted to Practice "Pro Hac Vice" in numerous States, including but not limited to,
Mississippi, Arkansas, Georgia, Alabama, Virginia, North Carolina, South
Carolina, Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, Nevada, Indiana, Utah, and Ohio

Recent Seminars/Presentations:

"Defending Drug Cases in the State and Federal System: Fourth Amendment Issues - Search, Seizure, and Forfeiture," 1990 Bench/Bar Conference, Hot Springs, Arkansas
"Docket Control: More Than Knowing Your Next Court Date" - National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 1991 Spring Meeting, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
"Fourth Amendment -- Current Issues in Controlled Substance Litigation," 1991 Annual John Dice Seminar, Memphis, Tennessee
"Conscription in the Courts of the 1990's/Constitutional Issues in Criminal Defense," Tennessee Bar Association, 1992, Memphis, Tennessee
"State and Federal Seizure and Forfeiture Proceedings -- The Lord Giveth and the Government Taketh Away," Tennessee Bar Association/Criminal Justice Section, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992
"State and Federal Seizure and Forfeiture Proceedings -- The Lord Giveth and the Government Taketh Away," Tennessee Bar Association/Criminal Justice Section, Knoxville, Tennessee, 1992
"State and Federal Seizure and Forfeiture Proceedings -- The Lord Giveth and the Government Taketh Away," Tennessee Bar Association/Criminal Justice Section, Memphis, Tennessee, 1992
"Ethical Considerations Facing Criminal Practitioners," Tennessee Bar Association/Criminal Justice Section,
Knoxville, Tennessee, 1992
"Ethical Considerations Facing Criminal Practitioners," Tennessee Bar Association/Criminal Justice Section,
Nashville, Tennessee, 1992
"Ethical Considerations Facing Criminal Practitioners," Tennessee Bar Association/Criminal Justice Section,
Memphis, Tennessee, 1992
"Ethics in Litigation/Trial Practice," Memphis & Shelby County Bar Association, Panel Moderator and Speaker, Hot Springs, Arkansas, 1993
"Demonstrative Physical Evidence," Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Nashville, Tennessee, 1993
"Criminal Law Practice & Update," Memphis Bar Association, Biloxi, Mississippi, 1994
"High Impact Direct Examination," Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Annual Meeting, Nashville, Tennessee, August 1994
"Ethics and the Criminal Practice Lawyer/A Panel Discussion," Tennessee Bar Association, 10/14/94, Knoxville, Tennessee
"Ethics and the Criminal Practice Lawyer/A Panel Discussion," Tennessee Bar Association, 10/21/94, Memphis, Tennessee
Delegate of the State of Tennessee/Tennessee Bar Association to represent Tennessee at the "National Summit on Crime and Violence" conducted under the auspices of the American Bar Association, Washington, D.C., 1994
"Ethics & Professionalism," Tennessee Association of Investigators Annual Conference, "TAI-96," March, 1996 (Nashville, Tennessee)
"Federal Case Law and Statutory Update," The Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, "Criminal Law and Legislative Review," 6/22/96, Memphis, Tennessee
"Fraud Conference," The Tennessee Society of CPAs, "The Impact of the Standard [of new fraud auditing standard] on CPAs," 10/4/96, Brentwood, Tennessee

Awards:

Recipient, "Robert W. Richie Award" for Outstanding Service, Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 1993
Featured Biographee, "Who's Who in American Law"; "Who's Who in the World"; "Who's Who in the South and Southeast; Who's Who in America"
Recipient Outstanding Service Award and Key, Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity, 1972
Life Member/Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity, 1972
American Jurisprudence Award, Lawyers Co-Op Publishing Company and Bancroft-Whitney Company,1973-74
Chancellor's Honor Award, George C. Taylor School of Law, University of Tennessee, 1975
A.S. Graves Memorial Scholar, 1974-75, George C. Taylor School of Law
Outstanding Young Men of America, 1980
Boy Scouts of America, Vigil Honor Award, 1994, Order of the Arrow
James E. West Fellow, National Award, Boy Scouts of America, 1996

Community Affiliations:

Committee Member, Eagle Scout Day, Chickasaw Council of Boy Scouts of America, 1978-1995
Committee Member, Council Camping Committee, Chickasaw Council Boy Scouts of America, 1993-1996
Chairman, Friends of Scouting, Exploring District, Boy Scouts of America, 1994-95
Chairman, Jewish Committee on Scouting, Chickasaw Council, Boy Scouts of America, 1994-96
Eastern District Committeeman, Boy Scouts of America, 1991-1992
Chickasaw Council, Boy Scouts of America, Council Advisory Board, 1992-1993
Chickasaw Council, Boy Scouts of America, Executive Board, 1993-present
Chairman, Eagle Scout Recognition Day, 1993, Chickasaw Council, Boy Scouts of America
Chairman, Exploring District, Chickasaw Council, Boy Scouts of America, 1995-97
Scoutmaster, Troop #360, Chickasaw Council, Boy Scouts of America, 1991-present
Legal Counsel/Board of Directors, Evan R. Harwood Day Training Center, 1989-present (for the Multiple Handicapped)
Member, Tennessee Sheriff's Association, 1988-present
Charter Member, Tournament Player's Club at Southwind, 1987-present
Member, Crescent Club of Memphis, Tennessee/Club Corporation of America, 1993-present
George C. Taylor School of Law, University of Tennessee, Chancellor's Inter-Circle and Alumni Advisory Council, 1992-1996
Member/Finance Committee to Elect Ned R. McWherter Governor of Tennessee, 1985-86
Member/Tennessee Democratic Party
Contributing Member, Democratic National Committee
Member/Ducks Unlimited
Member/National Rifle Association
Special Deputy Sheriff, Fayette County, Tennessee, 1988-present

Military Service:
United States Coast Guard (Reserve) 1971-77

Professional Practice:
Senior Partner/President (1978-present): Home

Robert M. Friedman
Ben G. Sissman
William W. Heaton
Lawrence W. White
Deborah A. Brandon*

Law Offices of

Friedman, Sissman, and Heaton, P.C.

Attorneys At Law

Suite 3400, 100 North Main Building

Memphis, Tennessee 38103-0534

Phone: (901) 526-5975
Fax: (901) 527-3633

Office Manager
Lynn M. Corley

*also licensed in Louisiana

Paralegal
Nancy M. Morrow
Kathy L. Dills

This page is maintained by WebNet Online
E-mail info@webnetonline.com Office (800) 233-9404

This site powered by WebNet

The attorney is being identified as Robert Friedman by Memphis television stations.

SHOW: Fox 13 News At
February 19, 2002, Tuesday PM
NETWORK: WHBQ-TV
MEDIUM: Television
TYPE: Television

START: 00.08.20

Teased Segment - Fair Trial. Attorney of one of the Middle Eastern men accused of driver's license scam worried about fair trail after September 11th.
Visual - Suspects.
Interview - Robert Friedman (Attorney).
END: 00.09.45

Who wrote the work order?

http://college4.nytimes.com/guests/articles/2002/02/18/903268.xml

Then the agents searched a fifth man, Sakhera Hammad of New York, whom the men identified as their second contact, and found an alarming piece of paper. Mr. Hammad had a worker's pass to the World Trade Center dated Sept. 5. Suddenly, the case became a possible terrorist plot.

In a telephone interview on Saturday, Mr. Hammad's father, Peter Hansen, said his son was a plumber, and he provided a letter he said he had obtained from his son's employer attesting to his work at the trade center. In the letter, dated Feb. 13, Sergei Denko, president of Denko Mechanical, said Mr. Hammad had been working for his company in the basement garage area of 1 World Trade Center.

"He was there for a couple of days," Mr. Denko said in an interview. ____________________________________________________

We could ask Mr. Denko who wrote the work order but he will be hard to find. He filed incorporation papers under the alias Sergei Denko, but if you visit the address filed with the State of New York for Denko Mechanical you will find his name is Sergei Davidenko. Additionally, the address given for Denko Mechanical is a residential apartment in an apartment building. Unusual for a plumbing company.

What the hell is going on in Memphis? It's getting too damn weird.

bttt

Who wrote the work order?

I will challenge anyone to find a U.S. white page or U.S. yellow page listing for the Middle Eastearn plumber Hammad's employeer, Denko Mechanical. I have already found the Corporation filing with the State of New York. If anyone is interested, I will send a $25.00 money order as a donation to FreeRepublic in honor of the first one to reply to me with the information.

Friedman was also an attorney involved in the Tailwind/CNN case, for what that's worth.

Current Entity Name: DENKO MECHANICAL, INC.
Initial DOS Filing Date: 02/08/2000
County: NEW YORK
Jurisdiction:
Entity Type: DOMESTIC BUSINESS CORPORATION
Current Entity Status: ACTIVE

DOS Process (Address to which DOS will mail process if accepted on behalf of the entity)

DENKO MECHANICAL, INC.
232 E 26TH ST
STE 21
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10010

Chairman or Chief Executive Officer
SERGEI DENKO
232 E 26TH ST
STE 21
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10010

Registered Agent
NONE