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 !

Right. A person wants the benefits of an illegal activity but when it's time to pay the piper for bad choices they look for someone else to share the burden. That is, imo, despicable. Bad enough someone's character is poor enough they fell into illegal activities. Far worse, imo, when they don't have the stones to pay the bill on their own.

Hey Joe where you goin with that gun in your hand?

Jeez sorry to hear that man. Hope you feel better.

Dayum Jim....who's gonna play ya in the movie....the Dos Equis man :D?

Seriously, glad you're OK and don't let this event "dwell" on ya....easier said than done I'm sure...
Get a new job too!

Woo!!!!!!!!

Hope you were on retainer!!!!!!!!!!!

I would imagine he has a claim against the estate.

Hey Gretch- that was good

Oddly enough, that is how I would have predicted your reaction. I've been in a situation or two where guns were fired, (though not as close as this one), the whole thing is usually so shocking and unexpected that you need a moment to process the whole thing.

Glad he didn't shoot you as well. You probably need some down time about now. :)

Yes, even if they didn't try to shoot you Dueller, sitting next to someone who is getting shot gives you a good chance of getting into the crossfire.

As far as getting a new job, how long have you been doing this, and how often have you had a gun drawn on you or close to you? If it doesn't happen on a regular basis, I'd count it as a normal risk. I is probably more dangerous to drive to the courthouse than being there.

I still don't understand the motive though. Courthouse shooter's mom was shot by your client, or so the courthouse shooter thought?

G

I'm sure Jim is just like Kurt....only gets shot at once every 30 years or so :p
On plus side however, he get's to hang out with lawyers and criminals in between those "good times" :D

Jim I always pictured you as an "Atticus Finch" type lawyer, but with all this drama I'm thinking you're more of a "Matlock"!

Sorry to hear this. I doubt you could represent the shooter while being a eyewitness to the event.

Seriously, if you get into a bad accident after 20 years on the road, will you quit driving?

G

Of course not....don't take everything I type too serious even though I don't use green font :D

Jim don't "need" to work....I didn't realize he was back at it after his health issues, and he damn sure doesn't need that kind of stress either ;)

....but then again, who does?

Or, who can we get on the case?

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That's a bad way to get fired by your client.

Wow! Saw that on the news yesterday. Glad you're ok.

I'll be interested to hear the back story on why the shooter was so pissed.

WOW... I feel for you. I can't even imagine what it would be like to witness such a thing but thank God you didn't get shot.

You have my sympathy. Deal with it as best you can and move on.

Wow, puts lots into perspective...I shall think of this when I think I'm having a crappy day.

damn....