I lost a client at the courthouse yesterday
 

Sitting on a bench outside the courthouse I was discussing a plea bargain agreement with my client who was charged with sale of a cotrolled substance. A man walkws up, pulled a pistol and shot my client in the chest. Shooter stood over my client scraming at him. My client kept saying "I didn't do it....I didn't do it..." Deputies at the courthouse ran up with guns drawn an shooter calmly dropped gun and surrendered quietly. Client died on scene.

Back story: The confidential informant who was working for sheriffs department in busting my client was the mother of the shooter. CI was shot but not killed over the weekend.

I gotta find a new line of work. This chit's crazy.

Very sorry you had to witness that Jim..........I used to have to manage "CI"'s. It's a side of Illegal drugs that most don't fully understand.

WHOA! That is crazy! Beyond a few fist fights, I have never observed violence of that caliber at such close range! That would shake me for sure!

Wow Jim, how did you not chit yourself?

That would get my attention. Our local county courthouse has metal detectors at the front door and everyone and every bag is scanned. I guess it is for that reason.

Happened so fast I couldn't chit myself. Shooter paid no attention to me...totally focused on my client. Probably 20 or so people milling around courtyard where it happened.

That is brutal Jim. I imagine that is the first time in your life that has happened?
Perhaps another line of work, retire or different field in the legal system?
Guy
PS If it was me I would need some counselling.

I had a similar experience when I was in High School. I had just turned the corner to visit a friend. He was about 100 yards in front of me in a crowd. In the distance in the field to the left were a group of Asian kids. I saw them but didn't think anything of it. All of the sudden those Asian kids pulled out guns and fired into the crowd. I saw my friend Larry Brown get shot in the head and drop like a stone. Several others in the crowd were hit that day but survived. They caught the shooters. Turns out it was a case of mistaken identity. Some things cannot be unseen.

I agree.
Defending scum bags may pay well but in the end you're still defending scum bags.

yikes.
scary stuff.
take care.

Unreal to be that close - glad you were not injured, Jim.

Part of the thug culture.....you don't mess with someone's mama!

Here's the story:
Madison County Courthouse shooting suspect identified - WAFB 9 News Baton Rouge, Louisiana News, Weather, Sports

wow I heard this on the news yesterday! glad you're ok.

don't be an informant and you don't have to worry about getting shot. maybe your shooter should reflect on the wisdom of his mom engaging in such an activity.

I hate drugs and the entire culture around them but nobody likes a rat.

Man, Heard that on the news also...
Yes sir, it getting crazier by the day, must be the heat !
Glad you OK, cudda been a different turn out...

Have to stay inside the court house...:(

Wow! That's scary!

Take care.

Haunting. Hope the anxiety doesn't get to you. Wishing you well.

The whole drug culture - both legal big pharmy and the illegal street- is full of scum.

That really sucks.

Sorry you had to experience that.

On the flip side, the shooter is a former fireman with a clean record who went after someone he thought harmed his mom.

I might be tempted to take him on as a client.

Could be a nice high profile case.

My understanding is that most informants don't exactly volunteer for the job...

I like your line of thinking SM. Wild stuff Jim! Glad you had your karma and vibes were working for you! SmileWavy

Read the story in this mornings Houston Chronicle, definitely a small world.

Scary stuff all right !