iratetoday has already quoted part of Anita Lee’s first you-are-there report from Judge Biggers’ chambers. Now Anita’s added an update with more (and a correction — there are only “248-odd letters” to be seen). Here’s some of it:
… [Retired Oxford accountant Rex] Deloach also pointed out that Scruggs’ suffering extends to his family.
“It is axiomatic that in punishing Dick there are at least two innocent people that bear that punishment as well, Those are his wife, Diane, and his daughter, Claire. Both depend on Scruggs, he said.
Numerous Coast attorneys wrote in: Leonard Blackwell, Paul Benton, Russell Gill, Lowry Lomax, Walter Umphrey and Lee Young. Also sending letters are policyholders whom Scruggs represented in Katrina cases before the FBI raided his office in November.
Several members of the Page, Mannino law firm in Biloxi weighed in for Zach, blogger attorney Tom Freeland said. Freeland, who already has combed through that file, is blogging for folo.us, where Mississippi politics, all things Scruggs, blues, food and kittens are hot topics.
University of Mississippi Chancellor Robert C. Khayat has this to say in closing his letter about Scruggs: “It is my belief that any time he spends being incarcerated is an absolute waste of a great deal of talent and ability.
“He has much to offer society and is a public-spirited person. Furthermore, it would appear to be a waste of taxpayers’ money. Punishment is relative to the individual. A man such as Dick has been amply punished by the loss of his profession and his public stature.”
Former University of Southern Mississippi president Aubrey Lucas also wrote a letter for Scruggs. …
Interesting that the DJournal‘s brief report Leaves Someone Out: “After the Biggers’ OK last week for Gulf Publishing Co. to see the letters, he approved requests from Journal Publishing Co., the Oxford Eagle, the Daily Mississippian and Mississippi Public Broadcasting.”
Though JD and Junebug are too busy to comment, an emailer to folo says, “What a new low for Ole Miss Law School when the chancellor of the university praises a law grad judge briber as a contributor to society. Damn.”
UPDATE: From Patsy Brumfield: Movie characters write letters to support Scruggs
These are things I would like to know from NMC when he has time:
1. Was the Khyat letter a personal letter, or was it written on UM letterhead? Same for Dean Davis if he wrote a letter.
2. Were any letters supporting Scruggs, et al., written by members of the Mississippi Bar committee that was appointed to study the impact of this situation on the profession and make recommendations for any reforms needed? I clearly think I am seeing that is the case.
Good points, ceegee. Let’s see, here’s that task-force roster:
So far we have only William Winter in that unfortunate category (Anita also reports, “Not many are anti-Scruggs writers, but Mississippi Bar president Robert Bailess was one of them”).
How about either Rigsby sister or their mother who it is said was a friend of Scruggs or Hood? Gene Taylor?
Been wondering about those myself, Concerned. I doubt Keker would okay anything from the Rigsbys or mom, but whether Gene Taylor spoke up will be interesting. Also whether Trent Lott did (last we heard, not).
Not a lot of young lawyers on that task-force. We (me being relatively young) are the ones that will deal with the ripples of this mess for years to come.
Neither Rigsby sister. I don’t see their mother. No to Hood or Taylor.
Khayat’s letter is on Ole Miss stationary. Davis’s letter is on personal stationery.
I think Winter is the only one on the task force who wrote. His is a measured letter from someone who knew Scruggs when he was a young lawyer….
Thanks so much for the update and a BIG congratulations on your success getting in to review them. Way to go!
“Khayat’s letter is on Ole Miss stationary. Davis’s letter is on personal stationery.”
I concur that “stationary” is the correct spelling in connection with Ole Miss’ administration.