After 26 years, lawyers reveal killer's secret

[nhboy]

"CHICAGO — For nearly 26 years, the affidavit was sealed in an envelope and stored in a locked box, tucked away with the lawyer's passport and will. Sometimes he stashed the box in his bedroom closet, other times under his bed.

It stayed there — year after year, decade after decade.

Then, about two years ago, Dale Coventry, the box's owner, got a call from his former colleague, W. Jamie Kunz. Both were once public defenders. They hadn't talked in a decade.

"We're both getting on in years," Kunz said. "We ought to do something with that affidavit to make sure it's not wasted in case we both leave this good Earth."

Coventry assured him it was in a safe place. He found it in the fireproof metal box, but didn't read it. He didn't need to. He was reminded of the case every time he heard a wronged prisoner had been freed.

In January, Kunz called again. This time, he had news: Andrew Wilson, a man both lawyers had represented long ago in the murder of two police officers had died in prison. "

After 26 years, lawyers reveal killer's secret - SantaFeNewMexican.com

 

[MrX]

Incredible story, hope it works out for the guy.

 

[kimmiekay98]

that is just effing riducolous that the two lawyers KNEW this guy was innocent and didnt do a damn thing about it!!! i know they have their own client to think about, but their client was a known murderer!! its not like his sentence was riding on this case, they fully expected him to get the death penalty anyways. UFB!!!

 

[ruby728]

"CHICAGO — For nearly 26 years, the affidavit was sealed in an envelope and stored in a locked box, tucked away with the lawyer's passport and will. Sometimes he stashed the box in his bedroom closet, other times under his bed.

It stayed there — year after year, decade after decade.

Then, about two years ago, Dale Coventry, the box's owner, got a call from his former colleague, W. Jamie Kunz. Both were once public defenders. They hadn't talked in a decade.

"We're both getting on in years," Kunz said. "We ought to do something with that affidavit to make sure it's not wasted in case we both leave this good Earth."

Coventry assured him it was in a safe place. He found it in the fireproof metal box, but didn't read it. He didn't need to. He was reminded of the case every time he heard a wronged prisoner had been freed.

In January, Kunz called again. This time, he had news: Andrew Wilson, a man both lawyers had represented long ago in the murder of two police officers had died in prison. "

After 26 years, lawyers reveal killer's secret - SantaFeNewMexican.com

Sickening...we can do better than this. Here we have OJ walking around still...but hopefully not much longer, then we hear crap like this...it's about the money, clear & simple. Acquittals can be bought. God help you if you need a PD...

 

[unixpirate]

"CHICAGO — For nearly 26 years, the affidavit was sealed in an envelope and stored in a locked box, tucked away with the lawyer's passport and will. Sometimes he stashed the box in his bedroom closet, other times under his bed.

It stayed there — year after year, decade after decade.

Then, about two years ago, Dale Coventry, the box's owner, got a call from his former colleague, W. Jamie Kunz. Both were once public defenders. They hadn't talked in a decade.

"We're both getting on in years," Kunz said. "We ought to do something with that affidavit to make sure it's not wasted in case we both leave this good Earth."

Coventry assured him it was in a safe place. He found it in the fireproof metal box, but didn't read it. He didn't need to. He was reminded of the case every time he heard a wronged prisoner had been freed.

In January, Kunz called again. This time, he had news: Andrew Wilson, a man both lawyers had represented long ago in the murder of two police officers had died in prison. "

After 26 years, lawyers reveal killer's secret - SantaFeNewMexican.com

If your going to be the current event posting dude, be current. This is like 3 days old

 

[Ken King]

Sickening...we can do better than this. Here we have OJ walking around still...but hopefully not much longer, then we hear crap like this...it's about the money, clear & simple. Acquittals can be bought. God help you if you need a PD...

What is sickening is that an innocent man was convicted on obviously bad evidence or solely circumstantial evidence. The lawyers were bound by an ethical duty to their client and not to the man that was found guilty. While it may be seemingly unfair that the lawyers knew the man in prison was innocent it, in my mind, would have been worse to have them break the ethical bond to their client.

 

[CableChick]

bizzare, but without that result, the promise of client-attorney privilige is merely a mirage.

same for the "shield" law for journalists in MOST (but not all) states; and its sad absence in federal courts. without, journalists, who are the true canaries in the public coal mine, are without a shield to protect them from revealing their sources. and when sources cannot be assured of protection, they tend not to "whistleblow" government misdeeds.

jefferson said that given a choice between democratic government and a free press, he would choose a free press.

 

[RadioPatrol]

What is sickening is that an innocent man was convicted on obviously bad evidence or solely circumstantial evidence. The lawyers were bound by an ethical duty to their client and not to the man that was found guilty. While it may be seemingly unfair that the lawyers knew the man in prison was innocent it, in my mind, would have been worse to have them break the ethical bond to their client.

things were not as advanced 26 yrs ago ...... I am not sure how I could do Time like that knowing I was Innocent ....

yeah not like the true killer is going to cop to the murder knowing he might get a needle ....

 

[chernmax]

Just reinforces why many dislike lawyers...

 

[Ken King]

Just reinforces why many dislike lawyers...

For doing what they are ethically bound to do?

No reason to dislike them for that as there are plenty of other reasons, that is until you need one.

 

[jetmonkey]

Sickening...we can do better than this. Here we have OJ walking around still...but hopefully not much longer, then we hear crap like this...it's about the money, clear & simple. Acquittals can be bought. God help you if you need a PD...

You gonna C-I-L him?

 

[chernmax]

For doing what they are ethically bound to do?

No reason to dislike them for that as there are plenty of other reasons, that is until you need one.

So bound ethics makes it OK to trample on another humans life for 26+ years. Let's say it was you thrown in jail, after 26 years you'd still be OK with the suppression of the evidence that could have set you free.

AGAIN, it's why many hate lawyers or our system of justice...

 

[Ken King]

So bound ethics makes it OK to trample on another humans life for 26+ years. Let's say it was you thrown in jail, after 26 years you'd still be OK with the suppression of the evidence that could have set you free.

AGAIN, it's why many hate lawyers or our system of justice...

That is a ridiculous contention, just as ridiculous as asking if you would be alright if you sought legal advice about something that had happened and then were arrested for what you had told your lawyer.

The apparent poor results of the law enforcement and jury for finding the man guilty in this instance do not make what the lawyers that were told what happened wrong. They represented their client as they should and had no obligation to the innocent person. Hell, they didn't even have to come clean after their client died and were no longer obligated to him but they did.

Your angst is misdirected.

 

[theArtistFormerlyKnownAs]

That is a ridiculous contention, just as ridiculous as asking if you would be alright if you sought legal advice about something that had happened and then were arrested for what you had told your lawyer.

The apparent poor results of the law enforcement and jury for finding the man guilty in this instance do not make what the lawyers that were told what happened wrong. They represented their client as they should and had no obligation to the innocent person. Hell, they didn't even have to come clean after their client died and were no longer obligated to him but they did.

Your angst is misdirected.

 

[sommpd]

that is just effing riducolous that the two lawyers KNEW this guy was innocent and didnt do a damn thing about it!!! i know they have their own client to think about, but their client was a known murderer!! its not like his sentence was riding on this case, they fully expected him to get the death penalty anyways. UFB!!!

Would you give up everything you have worked for for a "known murderer". I wouldn't. The system we have is not the best, but it is based on rules. If we start to disavow the oaths we take, (such as a lawyers oath to maintain attorney client privelege) then where should it end.

I testify against criminals all the time. I know that telling the facts the way I am being asked, could cloud the issue and possibly result in an aquittal of the person. But I am bound to tell the truth, because those are the rules.

What is ok? Is it ok to lie about a person when you know they are guilty? My answer is no. We have to follow the rules and procedures set up so we have the fairest system possible. It has it's flaws, but its the best we got.

 

[theArtistFormerlyKnownAs]

Would you give up everything you have worked for for a "known murderer". I wouldn't. The system we have is not the best, but it is based on rules. If we start to disavow the oaths we take, (such as a lawyers oath to maintain attorney client privelege) then where should it end.

I testify against criminals all the time. I know that telling the facts the way I am being asked, could cloud the issue and possibly result in an aquittal of the person. But I am bound to tell the truth, because those are the rules.

What is ok? Is it ok to lie about a person when you know they are guilty? My answer is no. We have to follow the rules and procedures set up so we have the fairest system possible. It has it's flaws, but its the best we got.

PS: I don't like the new AV...its boring IMO (and I don't know what it means )

 

[yankee44]

You need to read John Grisham's nonfiction book "The Innocent Man"

That book really makes you think what could happen if you were in the wrong place at the wrong time.