An Unfortunate Choice of Words
[Guest post by DRJ]
A man in Southeast Texas admitted to putting his girlfriend’s 2-year-old daughter in a dryer, causing 1st and 2nd degree burns. This is a tragic event for the little girl and the defendant may end up in prison, but this post concerns statements given by the defendant’s attorney. Defense counsel is likely an able attorney and well-qualified to handle this matter but this was an unfortunate choice of words:
“… Curtis, accused of putting a toddler in a clothes dryer on Aug. 19, was indicted Tuesday by a Hardin County Grand Jury, the Hardin County District Attorney’s office said. According to Curtis’ lawyer, Glen Crocker, Curtis has been charged with first-degree injury to a child and faces up to 99 years in prison.
***
“I’m surprised he got indicted this quick,” Crocker said. “The D.A.’s apparently put this case on the front burner.”Although he has yet to see the official indictment, Crocker said he expects Curtis to be arraigned in October. He’s still worried about his client’s chance for a fair trail [sic]. “It’s a pressing concern of mine. This is still the hot story. It hasn’t died down.”
– DJR
Thank goodness I don’t have to be quoted all day. I’m sure it’s possible to interpret benign things I say into some kind of clumsiness too.
This defense attorney has a tough job, and I bet many of his clients don’t even pay him. Why does he do it? His clients are usually guilty of at least something. Justice. He doesn’t have the resources a DA gets. He’s not going to be rich and he isn’t going to win any elections. But he cares about fairness and justice. When someone is accused of child abuse, it takes real character to demand his rights.
Oh, and front burner only has a remote connection to a dryer.
Comment by Dustin — 9/13/2007 @ 11:58 am
Dustin,
I agree that criminal defense attorneys perform a vital and often thankless job. I could add that this attorney doesn’t need me turning up the heat … but I won’t.
Comment by DRJ — 9/13/2007 @ 12:07 pm
“This is a tragic event for the little girl and the defendant may end up in prison.”
He ‘may’? Thankless though the job may be, it is a necessary evil but I am sure hoping that the prosecutor has his stuff together makes sure this ‘may’ becomes a ‘will’.
Comment by Dana — 9/13/2007 @ 1:53 pm
There’s no need to get hot under the collar over something like this although I’m sure that attorney’s face must be red after he realized what he said.
There’s a book at my mom’s house that has a hilarious spoof of the use of cliches. I’ll pick it up tomorrow and see if I can post some of it.
Personally, I avoid cliches like the plague.
Comment by nk — 9/13/2007 @ 1:56 pm
Dana #3,
He hasn’t been convicted yet.
Comment by nk — 9/13/2007 @ 1:59 pm
I’m as guilty as anyone, but it is sad how much of our daily discourse has devolved into silly cliche.
Comment by JVW — 9/13/2007 @ 2:15 pm
drj, I’m not hot under the collar or anything. I just think these comments aren’t embarrassing enough to get steamed over. I think this post was one baby short of a full dryer.
Comment by Dustin — 9/13/2007 @ 3:16 pm
What a punny group of commenters!
Comment by DRJ — 9/13/2007 @ 4:01 pm
99 years wow will the wackos from the ACLU be yelling about this but just add one more year and round it out to a even 100 years
Comment by krazy kagu — 9/14/2007 @ 6:57 am
Hmm… Let’s just take a moment to grasp the current state of conservative family values.
Making puns about the last name of a four star army general? That’s disgraceful, cruel, a low blow, a cheap shot, morally repugnant and borderline treasonous.
But making puns about the abuse and torture of a 2-year-old girl? That’s apparently A-okay.
Words fail me.
Comment by Oregonian — 9/14/2007 @ 12:04 pm
Oregonian,
Please re-read the post: “This is a tragic event for the little girl.” There’s no humor in that.
Comment by DRJ — 9/14/2007 @ 12:10 pm
Well guys you got me there… That was just a snippet of the interview..Pressing and front burner..poor choice of words..Thanks to those who understand my function and the daunting task before me..
Comment by Glen — 9/25/2007 @ 8:30 pm