There are over 400 letters. Most are positive– there are a few negative, although in very measured terms. One of the most eloquent negative letters is a handwritten one from a retired Oxford police officer (now a blacksmith) who explains that this is not a case where the defendants were economically or otherwise disadvantaged and states how serious the crime is. The positive letters are pretty standard: most accept the gravity of the offense and guilt, but try to explain positive things they have seen about the various defendants over the years. If I don’t talk much about the content of a letter, it is because it was one of the “standard” ones. There is a lot of history of the tobacco cases and a little of the asbestos cases in letters from people like Jeffrey Wigand (the “insider”), Lowell Bergman (the 60 Minutes producer who is also a figure in that story), Mike Myers of the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, Mitchell Zeller (who was at the FDA during the tobacco settlement), Richard Ieyoub (3-time Attorney General of Louisiana during time of the tobacco cases), and a number of the lawyers–Don Barrett, Joseph Rice of Motley Rice in South Carolina, and Walter Umphrey of Provost Umphrey. The oddest celebrity to turn up is Dennis Conner of America’s Cup racing fame.
The letter that goes to the greatest extreme is the one from Chancellor Khayat, which is on Ole Miss letterhead. Khayat wrote: ‘No doubt you are receiving many letters of support for Dick Scruggs, and I enthusiastically join that group.’ He states that he has known Scruggs since he was 15, and based on that knowledge, Scruggs is a ‘remarkable human being and truly extraordinary. He is smart, kind, loyal, compassionate, and generous.” The letter states that in Scruggs’s cases, his interest “was always the public good and in each instance his involvement was morally based. Although he derived great personal benefit from his success, the more important outcome was the benefit received by thousands of claimiants.” It goes on: ‘Throughout his adult life he has been a model citizen, family man, community supporter and active participant in his church. He and his wife Diane are clearly among the finest people I have known.’ It closes: ‘It in my belief that any time he spends being incarcerated is an absolute waste of great deal of talent and ability.’
The oddest thing in any of the letters: One correspondent (favorable) wrote of Dickie Scruggs: ‘I am reminded in making this request of the life of Saint Paul, who prior to his conversion experience experience on the road to Damascus .’ One of Zach Scruggs’s groomsmen includes the text of his toast at Zach’s wedding.
The I’m-really-not-sure-I’d-have-said-that award goes to C. Stevens Seale at Wise Carter. “I worked for Senator for Senator Lott as Chief Counsel on his Majority Leader Staff.’ In that capacity, ‘I coordinated all federal judicial nominations and confirmations for Senator Lott.’ He goes on to suggest a case of mistaken identity: ‘The Zach Scruggs I know is not the Zach Scruggs who pled guilty to the offenses in your court. Therefore, I can only speak about the Zach I know .’
Pete Boone, the Ole Miss athletic director, brings back memories of the day Scruggs was indicted, leaving stuck the plane that was supposed to carry the new coach back to Arkansas. Boone notes that Scruggs’s jet was available ‘for coaching searches.’ ‘He has never recommended a head coach, but was simply there to support the administration’s decision.’ This was a part of a fair number of letters from people connected to the university, including law school dean Sam Davis (who described in detail how he knew the Scruggses and why he thought well of them, in measured terms). One was Curtis Wilkie, the journalist and journalism professor who has contracted to write a book about Scruggs. He states he interviewed him in 1998, and found him accessible and forthright. He said he is fond of Dickie and Diane. “Their presence in Oxford has enhanced the town–just as many others who went to school at Ole Miss and returned, years later, have helped transform the place. They are full-fledged residents who make a major contribution to Oxford.’ He says he looks forward to the day Dickie returns to the community.
Andy Mullins, who works in Chancellor Khayat’s office and is a cousin of Diane Scruggs, wrote (also on university letterhead) about family interrelations and good deeds Scruggs has done.
Frank Bainbridge and Bruce Rogers, Scruggs’s Birmingham lawyers in the Rigsby case, wrote.
Diane Scruggs’s sister Libby wrote: ‘I’m afraid that the way he has been persecuted by the media in the last several months will affect his sentencing.’ She invokes Diane’s illness and says he should not get jail–first offense.
The Mississippi Bar President’s statement from early this month was a part of the file: ‘The admitted crimes of the defendants undermine the very foundation of our legal system. They have violated their sworn duty to our juridical system and their obligation to the president.’
William Winter, who met and hired Dickie Scruggs as an associate while Scruggs was in law school, wrote that he was impressed with his strong work ethic.
What an unfortunate place for Khayat to “go to the greatest extreme.” And on Ole Miss letterhead!
Graduates, what say you?
Dennis Conner not that unusual, as I’m sure they’ve raced against each other, and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Dickie hadn’t been a funding source for past Americas Cup ventures…
Here’s what I don’t get . . . Everyone is writing as if the revelation that Scruggs has done good and philanthropic things should be exceptionally considered. The dude made like $800 million. Being a good guy ought to be the price of admission. If you are fortunate enough in life to have done that well, it ought to be pretty much a full time job about how to give back.
Judging on his conduct on all of the Katrina related litigation and on the 20 year wake of lawyers he has screwed over, I’d say he fails the “good guy test” straight away.
Bet he does with Judge Biggers too, Alan 3.
Pretty broad hint of what we can expect from the Wilkie book too, hey? Bleeve I still prefer to wait for yours, NMC.
Dickie is a good guy. Those who call for a jail sentence are enjoying schadenfreude. It amazes me that some bloggers at folo excuse, for example, Dr. White’s euthanasia and yet call for Dickie to be confined – public service on his part would be more appropriate. He is obviously an intelligent and capable person.
1. Khayat needs to be retired.
2. NMC needs to write a book – in fact, it is probably a moral calling to do so at this point, so the real story is told. My opinion of Curtis Wilkie is greatly diminished; do any of us doubt that Scruggs has the ability to greatly influence whatever book he writes, given how Curtis is fond of him and all.
Quit piling on Dickie.
There are lots of criminals that are intelligent and capable, Sadbuttrue. Do they all get to avoid jail under that criteria?
I do not think that it was very smart for Khayat to write a letter of support with Ole Miss letterhead. The man can write anything that he wants, but should have been on personal stationary and not on one of our public university letterheads, just MHO.
Sadbuttrue, we should continue to pile on the other corrupt lawyers and the Attorney General onto the pile with Scruggs and let them all spend a few years doing hard labor. He admitted to bribing a judge he is a felon, not a good guy!
Perhaps you wanted to hire Dickie for your lawsuit against Sanctuary House?
Very funny. I have no personal stake in either matter, but I strongly feel that our elected or appointed law enforcement officials should enforce the law, which does not permit euthanasia or assisted death. Dr. Kevorkian and Dr. White have a lot in common and it disturbs me that this is going unnoticed by the public. Additionally, his emails reveal some true pathology. With respect to Dickie, my yard man served 4 years for murder. Let the punishment fit the crime. Dickie could perform public service, perhaps as a public defender, etc. and this would better serve the common good.
Have you ever made a mistake?
NMC, W00T! You finally broke us through the WSJ’s
folofirewall!Y’all, sbt is one of those blog-critters it’s best not to feed, don’t you think? Take a look at 12 and 13 and draw your own conclusions.
??? what is significant about the use of letter heads. for example what would be implied by the use of say the seal of Ms. used on a letter from a law clerk sent to a plaintiff of a law suit ??
And when might NMC start that book?
sbt @ 13,
Wearing a black sock with a blue sock is a mistake. I believe this rises above that level.
(Sorry, Lotus, but I had to feed sbt that little morsel… I’m done now.)
I don’t think Khayat needs to be retired.
I agree he shouldn’t have used Ole Miss letterhead, but his career achievements outshine any lack of of judgement in character.
NMC, who were the law professors from Ole Miss that wrote letters? I don’t need details, just curious.
Also, were the letters in support of Backstrom written with a different tenor than those for Dickie? I’m wondering if they were more sincere.
This whole thing just makes me want to urp. Scruggs sounds like a really good guy to me, but made a one-time huge mistake. Who hasn’t? We have to face the consequences of our actions, good or bad – so Scruggs should. I hate it that a good man has to go to jail but if he did what he’s confessed to, so be it. Why is this so difficult to understand? Bad thing happen to god and bad people. It’s just life. In my opinion D. Scruggs has done more good than bad. I’d personally let him off the hook. But, he can’t escape reality. DK
twisteena, correspondence written on an organization’s letterhead is deemed to speak for the organization as well as whoever signs it. That’s why Khayat had no business making this personal statement on his office stationery — he was NOT representing Ole Miss, but only himself, to Judge Biggers.
If Khayat wanted to express his personal opinions about Scruggs, he should have done so in a personal letter to the court. Use of UM stationary implies he is speaking on behalf of the university. It is not part of his job function to write sentencing letters on behalf of criminals.
I’ve updated to include a reference to Andy Mullins’s letter and Richard Ieyoub’s letter. Ieyoub has turned up here before– he’s mentioned in the wire transcripts.
sadbuttrue: You seem to want to sentence Dr. White for something other than that involved in the actual guilty plea.
Understand this about Khayat — Scruggs helped Khayat’s father after his release from prison by giving him a good bit of $$$. Also, Scruggs has donated a LOT of money to Ole Miss –particularly academics. But, even more important, Scruggs had pledged quite a bit of money to fund the new law school at UM, which is Khayat’s crown jewel.
So, with this much $$$ involved in this relationship, is it any wonder that Khayat has fallen all over himself trying to help Scruggs since the outset of this matter. Follow the $$$.
Lotus, please explain what I did to offend you. I have tried to be moderate in my comments and I don’t think anything I have said is out of line. Please advise. I have followed this blog for months and really do enjoy the folo community.
I sure that your are right a friend of the law
I know AFOTL. It makes me sad for my law school that it has come to thi$$$$$$.
olemissreb:
There was a retired professor who wrote a letter (about how bad and serious the offense was) and the dean wrote letters (measured ones based on his long time acquaintance with Dickie and Zach Scruggs). I didn’t see any other law prof. A journalism prof (Wilkie) and a retired sociology prof (Vaughn Grisham) wrote positive letters for Scruggs. There were other U. of Miss related letters– administrators pretty much, or people connected to the foundation.
If you think this is Scruggs’ first “mistake”, I have a portfolio of bridges for sale that I would like to talk to you about.
sbt, it’s not a matter of offending me but of making sense — which your 12 and 13, taken together, don’t. Rather, they perfectly mimic the trail of a blogtroll.
Knowing Vaughn Grisham I am greatly disappointed in him. I hoping this is due to age and not a reduction in his mental capacity.
I can think of no reason to show your admiration for this man. He has shown that he would screw over who he has to get ahead. He showed me that it is all about winning and money. Maybe he didn’t start out that way but that’s the perception of him now in the public opinion.
The President of Ole Miss should be ashamed of himself. Is this the ethics he wants the students of the law school to have? Embarassing. As the other bloggers said –follow the $$$$$$.
Several people in the law field told me that this was not the first goat roping by the Scruggs law firm.
Was there a letter from Ed Peters and Judge DeLaughter in the pile? What about Mike Allred?
This ain’t Scruggs’ first goat roping!
I am quite certain the Judge will be so impressed and moved by the letters of support he will give him the max he is allowed to-5 years. His only regret will be that he can’t give him more. Anyone want to bet he will get less? If so, please contact me as I could use the extra money.
“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.”
Sorry Bob. Dickie was the one that wasted the talent and ability, not the FBI or Judge Biggers.
I’m somewhat appalled at the folks on this thread that deem bribery a mistake. Not to mention from one who has sworn to uphold the very integrity of the court which he was entrusted with as a member of the bar.
NMC:
Any letters from any other Grishams?
Just as every dog has one bite, every lawyer gets to bribe one judge. Oops_ forgot DeLaughter. My bad.
NMC, now that you’ve seen who-all weighed in, who d’ya bet presents the three testimonials on Friday (for each of the three)?
NAAS: No.
Lotus: No idea. Mike Moore is representing Zach, but he wouldn’t shock me. But would you want him subject to cross-exam? I think Khayat has done what he could do. So I have no idea.
There’s a new post about all this…
Is there any crime so low that people won’t start writing letters of support. Also have to wonder if there is any relationship to the number of letters/wealth of the criminal?
The number of letters could become a sword for the judge. I have heard judges use the kind of glowing testimonials to say: “Look what you have destroyed. Look what you have cast aside. You are in a position where you not only should have known better, you must have, and you chose to go another way. So->” not good news. The problem with these sorts of letters is there are a lot of ways they can be spun.
A correspondent reacts to Chancellor Khayat’s letter, noting that this brings to his mind “the selling of indulgences by Ole Miss.”
Yes.
yet more filings.
I can but only wonder what would happen if I used the letterhead of the institution to write a letter like this for a convicted felon friend of mine.
Lotus, Sorry to bounce back in off the track of this thread, but what is a blog troll? Also, please email me re: what doesn’t make sense in 12, 13 and I will try to present my thoughts in a more organized and ?coherent manner.
sbt, will if I can but I’m a little busy right now.
Via email:
Don’t know if it’s my computer or the weather but I will try again to say thanks, Lotus, for the info @ 20. Blog troll, ha funny. Wonder if students at Ole Miss feel the same as Chancellor Khayat about Scruggs?
I think it’s awful that Chancellor Khayat and Diane’s cousin wrote letters for Dickie on University letterhead. Smilin’ Bob, if you’re reading this, I want you to know that the University of Mississippi will not get another penny from this household unless it is to establish the Henry Lackey Professionalism Scholarship.
And Gov. Winter, if you are reading this, I want you to know that I am deeply disappointed that you would write a letter, no matter how measured it is — that is, unless you have already resigned from the Task Force that the Bar president established to try to contain the damage done by all the guilty pleas of the trial lawyers.
This entire subject—the run-up to sentencings in 3 cases—looks like a buncha 9th grade girls reading the diaries of 3 girls the others love to hate. You analyze (and condemn) every jot and tittle. You analyze (and condemn) the writers. You analyze (and condemn) everyone else. You can’t wait ’til the principal (Neal Biggers) gets out his trusty paddle.
I don’t know who annointed all these self righteous cluckers and smirkers, but I’m tellin’ you there’s a crevasse of a character flaw in people who are so delighted in all this.
The Northern District of Mississippi sentences or revokes releases probably a couple hundred people a year. The Mississippi circuit court serving Lafayette likely sentences maybe 10 times that many. Where is all your schadenfreude for those defendants?
In passing sentence, Neal Biggers will give these 3 defendants exactly the same degree of professional consideration and the same level of strict adherence to the federal sentencing guidelines he accords all others who stand in the well before him. No more. No less.
All of you who merrily condemn those who speak up for these defendants are overdue for some serious self-inspection. Life is like a boxa chawklets, you know.
Way to go folks. Hypothetically, how would or for what reason would a clerk use the letterhead of state seal @ 16 per the response of lotus @ 20? Is it specifically an involvement by a state entity or is it implied as an act of additional authority by the court? Would not a Judge’s ruling be sufficient? Thanks for such a great blogger’s format. Thank you lotus for Mississippi’s one and only folo. Keep up the great work.
I wish I could go motorcycle riding with Ben Cole (my last bike was a Honda Shadow — could not afford the Harley I wanted). Seems like a hell of good, decent, and thoughtful guy. A guy with a good heart. If I was in the Mississippi area I would surely look him up. Guys like Ben Cole exemplify a certain righteousness, a righteousness we cannot live without.
Well said, Mr. Cole.
Ben Cole and rogerwilco, I take mild exception if I’m part of “you,” because I don’t think I’ve done a lot more than describe what I saw. A couple of places I noted things that seemed notable, and that’s about it.
Not you, others. I just think the quality of mercy is lacking in some of this.
How can everyone say this is a one time mistake? How do you think tobacco came down? What do you think P.L. Blake’s job was for $50M? Ed Peters was a mistake? Dickie was a serial briber. What about Barrett, Nutt, and others?
Well I’m certainly going to take exception with being included in "you." I’m personally not delighted one bit about any particular person or persons being convicted. Nor am I delighted in the fact that these three, among others involved, have hijacked the judicial system in such a way as to make the common people very leery of the system itself. But I’m also not going to hang my head one iota for being damn glad that they are getting their comeuppance. None, nada, not a chance in hell.
To borrow your phrase, may I inquire who "annointed" you, Ben Cole, as the judge superior of character on this blog or for that matter, anywhere else in the universe? With the same condemnation you so readily appear to heap on others, you would do so well to also take a moment for quiet contemplation on YOUR words written here this afternoon. You appear to be very knowledgeable, not only of the run-up to sentencing on these particular three that made a complete mockery of the judicial system to enrich themselves, but of other people’s character flaws. So what if some people are more exuberant in their expression(s) of happiness that "the system worked." I’ve personally been glad to read your viewpoints, even those with which I may not always agree. But I have NEVER, nor would I EVER attempt to assign your differing views, the expression of those views and attempt to impugn your character. Should I in the future attack your character if we differ on views or the mode used in expressing them? I assure you I won’t. But I also will not "be quiet" and have it appear to be acquiescence with your views by my silence. And God forbid that it appear to give you the moral high ground.
So once again, I’ll ask the question, with what moral or ethical authority do you present your case upon to condemn or analyze others with different manners of expressing this happiness at the system occasionally making things "right?" It’s a fact that people are elated to know that no matter WHO you are or WHAT you know that in the end– ¦sometimes the good guys win. Not often enough, but in this case most certainly. And for that fact, I’m damn glad.
And I personally think it a mockery of the system that the letters were made public in any event. But they were. However, that’s just my humble thoughts.
I relinquish the soapbox.
NMC – I would like to respond to your remark in
22 -perhaps I should post on another thread? Or by email? Let me know.
Ben Cole, voice of reason, thank you.
And one more thing. What kind of “mercy” should the system make for those that perverted it for personal gain and prided themselves as being a king among mere mortals.
Slimpickens, Do you have evidence of these other crimes? If not, your post is mere speculation.
sbt=bellsouth?
Please. You must be kidding. Again, where is your evidence?
Shaves –nice try but your fulminations are hardly convincing. They are certainly mean-spirited and serve no purpose.
And, by the way, case records are public records. That is common law — period.
Although I have never trusted William Winter’s motives in anything, I would absolutely pull out any child of mine that would be going to Ole Miss, after reading Mr. Khayat’s letter of praise. What kind of role model is he?
Shaves @ 55, just regular human mercy. They’ve all pled guilty and will get sentenced Friday. My inclination is to leave it at that and not pile on.
As a matter of correction Ben some of the stone throwing above is directed at individuals who:
1. Seem to have unseemly secondary gain from the act of writing such letters- eg Mr Khayat
2. Who may have notched down their street cred from doing so – Gov Winter or Dickie’s biographer
3. In doing 1 or 2 above have compromised some of their legitimacy and their institutions going forward, The Gov and the Prez.
4. By the symbolism of writing under an institutions letterhead, thrown the weight of that institution behind the intent of the letter without the apparent acquiescence of the institution-President Khayat. Did the Board agree? One might argue in an ethics case such as this they should be asked to weigh in.
5. Who now appear to have connections to the man not earlier apparent and have thus done 1-4
Ignoring the schadenfreude which I think is not much. Those foloers who will weigh the man’s previous deeds against the crime and find the crime therefore less infamous will find the guilt by association and loss of credibility of the supporters less telling. Mr Khayat thus not of lesser stature. Those, like myself, who find the crime strikes against the very heart of our government of laws that distinguishes us from a government of people or persons will find this infamy spreads readily, even by such a simple act as a supportive letter.
There is little that can be done to mitigate it from my perspective- good deeds previous notwithstanding. All crime can be considered a test of the limits that a society sets up to define itself. The criminal act and the response to it defines the society. To my mind forceful, well defined punishment defines this as off limits. Mitigation because of prior goodness dilutes that definition. Forgetting the accusations of a pattern of this wrong behavior by Scruggs or the noblesse oblige of a rich guy to do good deeds we must see this event, especially, in isolation due to its gravity. The line blurs, grays, and rich generous guys can cross that line. No harm , no foul does not apply here- it is not a rape or murder or beating or thievery- it is more, it is the essence of the Republic – it allows us to imagine a perfect world of imperfect souls who can define with some rationality that rape and murder and thievery are not right, that there are laws that apply to all.
That some, whose lives are dedicated to the law, and have risen in the world on account of this dedication would do this symbolic act of writing a mitigating letter I find to be very troublesome. They who know better seem to be trying to blur a line that defines their profession. On the surface it may be just to help a friend, a doer of good deeds, but deeper the letters speak to the blurring of this construct of ‘laws and not people’- in a small way is this crime of Dickie Scruggs not the same goal that the terrorists hope for, a minor act of, I daresay, treason?
Nature Lover
SKE @ 59. It’s not “mean-spirited” and I don’t care one wit for whether or not my comments serves any “purpose” at all, other than to call attention to the fact that I will NOT be subjected to a “you” type inference on my character based on the fact that I’m happy the system and thereby the little people, won in this particular instance of judicial bribery and corruption. Anyone that has a differing opinion I’ll gladly accept, with the caveat that neither of us has the moral high ground as a basis for our opinions. Because they are just that, opinions.
Additionally, I didn’t offer a legal opinion on the letters being made public, just MY thoughts on it. I’m not a legal scholar nor a lawyer, just a poor-ole-country-boy-come-to-town that thinks he recognizes when the good guys have won one. But hey, nothing or no one ever had to be “right” by my thoughts or perspective, but I’ve paid my dues, quite literally, to voice MY opinion in the arena of ideas. Just as I’m willing to concede you have also whether you have or not. That being said, we can agree to disagree, agreeably. But let’s stop the sermonizing and condemnation of those with differing opinions and perspectives on this issue.
Roger @ 61. I agree with human mercy, just not judicial mercy for those that have most certainly prostituted the system given us by the Founding Fathers and the good Lord above. And I most sincerely apologize if it appears that I, or others, have piled on. After all, in reality, it don’t matter an ice cubes chance in hell what we think, cuz it’s all in the hands of the good judge. But on this blog, piling on ain’t a criminal offense nor a moral crime. It’s just a freakin’ blog where we all get to mix it up and spit it out. with no one accountable to anyone but lotus for decorum purposes.
Have a happy day tomorrow, and I mean that sincerely.
I am happy. Happy that in some small way justice triumphs .
“Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.”
It is not yet time….
NL
As Mr. Cole, I too am certain that Judge Biggers will take all of the facts into consideration and make a sound judgement. He is a no nonsense Judge, who has handled this matter so far with a fair, but firm hand. With a lesser Judge, this case could have turned into a circus.
Contrary to Mr. Cole’s assertions, I take no glee in any of these matters involving Scruggs. This entire sordid episode, that he brought upon himself, the others around him who were involved, and our state, makes me sick to my stomach. Whatever “merry condemnation” you find from many of these comments, is more accurately characterized as satisfaction that necessary and swift justice is about to be served—something we see far too little of these days.
And for some of us who are graduates and supporters of UM, it sickens us to see our administrators pander for money so badly in a public way, with no regard to how such appears to our students, and with most of them apparently totally oblivious to the seriousness of the crimes committed by Mr. Scruggs and his cohorts —not just to our society, but to our legal system —the legal system in which I make my living — the system that I love and have dedicated most of my entire adult life to serving.
Moreover, Scruggs has shown no public remorse for his actions, no humility, and has failed to cooperate with law enforcement to aid other necessary future prosecutions stemming from his actions in other cases. In other words, he has made no effort to try to correct these wrongs and to make things right.
Mr. Cole, you have no shortage of righteous indignation when you perceive the military you love so dearly being bastardized, in your eyes, by bad decisions made by our leaders. You have made that abundantly clear in your comments here on this blog. So, you hardly qualify to be casting judgement upon those who feel the same way, and just as passionately, about Scruggs and the negative impact he has brought to our legal system in MS through his dishonorable actions.
Yes, we all have it coming one day. None of us are perfect. But it is one thing to strive to live the right way and fall short, and yet another to purposefully and maliciously take the wrong path and deliberately hurt others. For justice to be true and properly served, it must be blind to the imperfections of those charged and duty bound to administer it.
I don’t always agree with you, but still enjoy reading your comments and admire your passion. But, not this one. You sir, are just flat out wrong in your character judgements here leveled toward others.
Afotl and Shaves, you are both too quick to say that somebody is attacking your character. If I say that comments lack a quality of mercy, that’s all I mean. You’re taking my basic comment and using it to say I’m attacking your character in some way. Therefore I’m an unreasonable moral scold. Therefore my point of view on this should be discounted. I’m offended by what they did, too. I agree that they must up to jail. I just don’t feel the need to celebrate the fact that they’re going to jail or carry on about justice and the poetry of William Butler Yeats.
“And for some of us . . . it sickens us to see our administrators pander for money so badly in a public way . . . Moreover, Scruggs has shown no public remorse for his actions . . . ”
To – A Friend of the Law, thank you. You speak for me. And many others. And to the young men and women across the ocean in old Babylon serving us and sacrificing much to uphold the rule of law.
Shelby I thought we were in Iraq stopping a madman from possessing WMDs? Well strike that there were none.
Using “rule of law” and most anything the current administration has done in the same sentence is an awfully big stretch. Just ask Don Siegelman.
Count me in with Roger, Ben and company.
I want to thank NMC and the other reporters for the hours they spent poring through the letters. As a lawyer, I don’t take glee in another lawyer’s downfall. I do applaud, however, the fact that the crime of bribing a judge by an officer of the court is about to be punished. Bribing a judge is not a “mistake,” as one commentator wrote.
To all of you who seem to think the end justifies the means: try to imagine whether you’d feel the same way if Scruggs’s opposing counsel had done what Scruggs admittedly did. I think you’d be singing a different tune now.
And Ben Cole, I do feel great sympathy for Diane and Claire and Zach’s wife. I wish Dickie had thought more of them before he did what he did.
I don’t think the end justifies the means.
Hail to MS Lawyer! The criminals themselves dishonored their family. By merely wanting them to pay for what they have done, we are not dishonoring their spouses/families. One has nothing to do with the other. Also, I find it interesting that Scruggs is still playing games (“too cute by half”) with documents and his deposition while at the same time wanting the judicial system he has also dishonored to go easy on him.
I also do not think the end justifies the means. Justice and vengeance are not the same thing. MSLawyer, of all people you should know that.
I trust Judge Biggers to serve the cause of justice. Those who thirst for vengeance will be disappointed as the administration of justice will leave you unsatiated.
sop
March on posters..What’s the downside of “APATHY?”
Sop, what has been said that indicates to you people are “thirsting for vengeance”?
Using OLE MISS LETTER HEAD! USING THAT STATE MONEY!!