Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Add Reply
Blog and Media Roundup - Saturday, March 6, 2010; News Roundup
Topic Started: Mar 6 2010, 07:06 AM (749 Views)
abb
Member Avatar

Note carefully that this is North Carolina's Judicial District 9A.

http://www.nccourts.org/County/Person/Staff/DA/Default.asp

Note who is one of the judges in Caswell County, also in 9A.

http://www.caswellcountync.gov/county/depts/court.htm

Yes, that is right. The Potted Plant is a judge in this district.

http://www.heraldsun.com/view/full_story/6588830/article-Retired-Person-Co--DA-focus-of-inquiry?instance=homefifthleft


Retired Person Co. DA focus of inquiry
03.05.10 - 08:55 pm
By KEITH UPCHURCH

kupchurch@heraldsun.com; 419-6612

DURHAM -- Joel Brewer, recently retired district attorney for Person and Caswell counties, is being investigated by the State Bureau of Investigation, a spokeswoman for the N.C. Attorney General's Office confirmed Wednesday.

"I can confirm that the SBI is investigating matters involving Joel Brewer, and that investigation is now being overseen by the Special Prosecution Unit here in the Attorney General's Office," attorney general's office spokeswoman Noel Talley said. "The investigation has been going on since last fall."

Talley declined to specify the reason for the investigation. But she said the SBI served a search warrant on Brewer last week "to retrieve documents."

The search warrant isn't yet public record.

"The situation with it right now is that Brewer's attorneys have asked a judge to seal the search warrant," she said. "We are opposing that. We do not think that it should be sealed, and so there will be a hearing at some point before a judge to argue that. And then the judge will make a decision."

She said no date for that hearing has been set.

Talley said she isn't sure when the investigation will be completed.

Brewer, who has been district attorney for about 30 years, retired last week. He couldn't be reached for comment.

A spokeswoman at the Person County District Attorney's Office had no comment on the investigation Wednesday.

Gov. Beverly Perdue's office is reviewing candidates to name someone to fill the rest of Brewer's term.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
abb
Member Avatar

http://www.roxboro-courier.com/articles/2010/03/06/news/doc4b91a449d8add095346730.txt

Judge to rule on search warrant in DA probe
AG’s office will argue for information to be made public at Monday hearing in Union County
By TIM CHANDLER
Courier-Times Editor
tchandler@roxboro-courier.com
Published: Saturday, March 6, 2010 5:15 AM CST
Whether or not information in a search warrant executed recently at former District Attorney Joel Brewer’s office will be made public could be determined Monday afternoon in Union County.

Superior Court Judge Gary E. Trawick is expected to hear arguments on whether or not to unseal information in the warrant in a 2 p.m. hearing in Monroe.

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation executed the search warrant in Brewer’s office in the Person County Courthouse on Tuesday, Feb. 23. Brewer retired from the position he had held since 1994 on Monday.

Search warrant information is generally made public after execution. Through his team of attorneys, however, Brewer has fought to keep the information from being made public.

If the warrant were unsealed, it would become public record as to why the search warrant was served, what was taken when it was executed and the reason it was executed.

According to Noelle Talley, public information officer for the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office, Brewer has retained the services of three attorneys — James Ramsey of Roxboro, George Daniel of Yanceyville and James (Butch) Williams of Durham. Williams is well known for his defense work in the 2006 Duke University lacrosse team rape case.

When contacted by The Courier-Times Friday, Ramsey said it was his desire to keep the search warrant sealed because he believes it may contain information that is not truthful.

“I think the affidavit is highly inflammatory,” Ramsey said. “It alleges things that may not be true. That would be my theory [on why to keep it sealed].

“I just think that there are some really inflammatory things in there that should not be released at this point, if ever,” Ramsey continued. “It may not even be the facts that will come out under oath if there ever is a trial in this matter.”

Talley told The C-T Thursday, “Attorneys from the attorney general’s office would be representing the state in arguing against sealing the search warrant.”

On Friday, Talley said attorney Jim Coman with the Special Prosecutions Office of the attorney general’s office would argue the information in the search warrant is public record.

“We believe it is public record and that there is no reason for sealing it,” Talley said. “We believe the information should be made public.”

For more on this story, see the Saturday, March 6, edition
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
abb
Member Avatar

http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/7166798/

Ex-Person DA wants to keep search details under wraps
Posted: 4:29 p.m. Thursday
Updated: 7:03 p.m. Thursday

The state Attorney General's Office is facing off against the former district attorney in Person and Caswell counties as to whether details of a search of the prosecutor's office should be public record.

The State Bureau of Investigation has been investigating Joel Brewer since last fall, officials said, but the reason for the probe hasn't been disclosed. Brewer, who retired last week, previously said he was cooperating fully with the investigation.

SBI agents searched Brewer's office at the Person County Courthouse last week, and Brewer has asked a judge to seal the search warrant so that details of what was taken and the reason for the search cannot be reported.

The Attorney General's Office opposes Brewer's attempt to seal the search warrant, and a hearing on the issue has been scheduled for Monday afternoon in Union County.

A Roxboro attorney who is familiar with the case and has seen court documents dealing with it said the SBI investigation doesn't involve anyone else in the district attorney's office and there is more than one accuser.

Gov. Beverly Perdue's office is reviewing candidates to name someone to fill the remainder of Brewer's term.

Perdue said Thursday that she is having trouble finding a qualified candidate who lives in either of the two counties who would be willing to give up his or her law practice temporarily to take the job.

"I have a retired judge in Durham, (and) I have a retired judge in Raleigh who would be fabulous, but the law won't allow me to hire them," she said.

Under state law, a district attorney must live in the county he represents.

Reporter: Erin Hartness
Web Editor: Matthew Burns
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
abb
Member Avatar

http://www.roxboro-courier.com/articles/2010/03/03/news/doc4b8db11d0e332228011982.txt

State AG’s
office seeks to have search warrant in DA case unsealed
By TIM CHANDLER
Courier-Times Editor
tchandler@roxboro-courier.com
Published: Wednesday, March 3, 2010 5:17 AM CST
The North Carolina Attorney General’s office announced this week it would now serve as prosecutor in the ongoing investigation of former District Attorney Joel Brewer.

Brewer retired Monday from the position he has held since 1994. Brewer has said his retirement had nothing to do with the probe that began late last year. He said earlier he had been making plans for his retirement for approximately a year.

Last Tuesday, investigators with the State Bureau of Investigation executed a search warrant at Brewer’s office in the Person County Courthouse. Normally, the contents of a search warrant are made public after it is executed; however, Brewer and his attorneys have fought to keep the search warrant sealed.

“We don’t believe it should be sealed,” Noelle Talley, public information officer for the att0rney general’s office, said Tuesday.

On Monday, Talley said the attorney general’s office was actively seeking a hearing before a judge to attempt to have the contents of the search warrant made public.

When quizzed Tuesday about the reason for the SBI investigation of Brewer, Talley said she could not comment other than to say “the investigation is ongoing.

“There have been no charges filed as of today,” Talley added. She went on to say she could not “speculate” on how long the investigation would take.

Talley told The C-T Monday that the probe of Brewer was initiated after a request was received “from a judicial official.”

For more on this story, see the Wednesday, March 3, edition
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
abb
Member Avatar

http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/7140591/

Person County awaits new DA as SBI probe continues
Posted: 4:40 p.m. Monday
Updated: 6:45 p.m. Monday

Criminal cases in Person and Caswell counties are in limbo, following the retirement last week of District Attorney Joel Brewer.

The State Bureau of Investigation has been investigating Brewer since last fall, officials said, but the reason for the probe hasn't been disclosed. Brewer has told WRAL News that he is cooperating fully with the investigation.

Person County CourthouseWATCH VIDEO
Person County without top prosecutor

SBI agents searched Brewer's office at the Person County Courthouse last week, but the search warrant isn't yet public record.

Roxboro attorney Jim Ramsey said Monday that he believes the warrant should remain sealed.

"They are assuming facts not in evidence. There are hearsay statements, and there are conclusions which really are not involved in the law," said Ramsey, who is familiar with the case and has seen court documents dealing with it.

The SBI investigation doesn't involve anyone else in the District Attorney's Office, and there is more than one accuser, Ramsey said.

"It's not nearly as serious as the media has made it out to be, and I think, when it washes out, people are going to be surprised at how minor it is," he said.

Brewer, who had been district attorney for about 30 years, couldn't be reached Monday for comment.

Gov. Beverly Perdue's office is reviewing candidates to name someone to fill the remainder of Brewer's term.

Ramsey said he hopes a replacement is named soon.

"I think we need a person who has experience, who has been there, who has tried cases," he said.

Reporter: Erin Hartness
Photographer: Pete James
Web Editor: Matthew Burns
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
abb
Member Avatar

http://www.roxboro-courier.com/articles/2010/02/27/news/doc4b8867a551c60498680423.txt

Perdue will name DA’s replacement
next week
SBI executes search
warrant at Brewer’s office
By TIM CHANDLER
Courier-Times Editor
tchandler@roxboro-courier.com
Published: Saturday, February 27, 2010 5:15 AM CST
District Attorney Joel Brewer will retire Monday from the position he has held since 1994. Gov. Beverly Perdue is expected to name someone to complete his four-year term early next week.

Justin Guillory, a spokesperson for the governor’s office, confirmed for The Courier-Times late Friday that current assistant district attorney Roger Echols, Jr. and Sandra S. Pugh, a Yanceyville attorney, are under consideration for the appointment to complete Brewer’s unexpired term.

Echols and Pugh, both Democrats, have filed their intentions to run for the District 9A position, which serves Person and Caswell counties. The two will square off in May in the Democratic primary with the winner advancing to the general election in November to face Republican Roxboro attorney Wallace Bradsher, who filed for the post late this week.

Guillory said Friday that Gov. Perdue was not considering Bradsher for the appointment.

“The announcement will come shortly,” Guillory said. “There is no special date set. The governor is still deliberating.”

As Brewer’s retirement date neared, an investigation into possible wrongdoings by him, which is being conducted by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, continued this week.

SBI agents executed a search warrant at Brewer’s courthouse office late Tuesday afternoon.

Noelle Talley, public information officer with the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office, confirmed the search warrant was issued and later executed Tuesday. She did not, however, elaborate on the ongoing investigation.

Generally, search warrants become public records after being executed; however, Tuesday’s search warrant has yet to be filed for public viewing.

The Courier-Times attempted to contact Talley for further information pertaining to the search warrant Friday afternoon; however, a return phone call was not received.

Last November, Talley said the SBI was investigating “matters involving” Brewer. Details of the investigation have not been publicly revealed.



For more on this story, see the Saturday, Feb. 27, edition
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
abb
Member Avatar

http://www.roxboro-courier.com/articles/2010/02/27/news/doc4b8866f2edd81764842304.txt

Election filing period ends with a flourish
Dunn joins 3 other sheriff hopefuls, 2 more seek commission post & Bradsher bids for DA
By PHYLISS BOATWRIGHT
C-T Staff Writer
pboatwright@roxboro-courier.com
Published: Saturday, February 27, 2010 5:15 AM CST
The filing period for local, state and national elections ended at noon Friday, with four Democrats in the running for the seat of sheriff in Person County.

Incumbent Dewey Jones and challengers Keith Daye, Charlie (Buck) Oakley and Dempsey Dunn all filed for the position.

Dunn, who ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for the office of sheriff in 2006 and 2002, visited The Courier-Times this week and said his “desire to serve Person County in the office of sheriff is stronger than ever.”

He said he was encouraged by the support he continues to receive and hoped to help build “safer streets and neighborhoods” in the county, as well as being a community leader who was “accessible and responsive” to the needs of citizens. His mission includes, said Dunn, making sure that public agencies here were “fair and equitable.”

He said, if elected, he would contribute five percent of his annual salary to a fund for scholarships at Piedmont Community College.

Dunn also pledged to make himself available to the public at all times.

“My phone number is currently published,” he said, “and will remain so.”

He also pledged to establish a community advisory council so that citizen representatives could work with law enforcement to identify problems unique to their communities and to help improve services to the various areas of the county.

Democrats Frances Blalock, Joe DiBona and David Brooks, along with incumbents Johnny M. Lunsford, a Democrat, and Kyle Puryear, a Republican, filed for the two seats on the Person Board of County Commissioners that are up for grabs this year.

Also in local filing, Clerk of Court Deborah Barker is running unopposed for another term.

Roger Echols Jr., a Democrat, was the first to file for the seat of District 9A district attorney, which will be vacated by the retiring Joel Brewer on Monday.

Caswell County attorney Sandra S. Pugh, also a Democrat, who practices in the office of R. Lee Farmer in Yanceyville, is challenging Echols, as is Person County attorney, Republican Wallace Bradsher, who unsuccessfully opposed Brewer in the last election.

Pugh lives in Ruffin. She has a bachelor’s degree from UNC-Chapel Hill and earned a juris doctorate from Campbell University in 1983. She practices civil and criminal litigation.

Judge Osmond Smith filed for reelection to his seat on the District 9A Superior Court bench.

Mark Galloway is also seeking reelection to his seat on the District 9A District Court Bench.

At the state and federal level, U.S. Sen. Richard Burr and Rep. Brad Miller each have several challengers for their seats.

State Rep. W.A. Winkie Wilkins, D-Person, has two fellow Democrats running against him as well as Person County Republican Larry Yarborough.

A Chapel Hill Republican filed to challenge state Sen. Ellie Kinnaird for the position she has held for seven terms.

Wilkins is seeking a fourth consecutive term in the North Carolina House of Representatives.

His filing followed that of two opponents, who also filed on the Democratic ticket for House District 55. Fred Foster Jr. and R. Miles Standish, both of Durham, made their intentions known soon after the filing period opened on Feb. 8.

Yarborough, a former member of the Person Board of County Commissioners, said, “Person County needs jobs. I have been working to create jobs through my Roxboro MedAccess project. Winkie Wilkins has been working in Raleigh to bring more jobs home to Person County.”

Yarborough emphasized that he did not want to replace Wilkins, but was afraid that, with the two Durham Democrats in the running, Wilkins’ seat could be lost in the primary.

“Unfortunately, Winkie is facing opposition in the primary from a couple of men from Durham,” Yarborough wrote in a prepared statement. “I don’t know what may happen in a three-way primary, but Person County must keep this seat in Raleigh. I am filing now to insure that Person County is represented on the ballot in November. I want to make sure that we have someone in Raleigh working to bring jobs to Person.”

State Sen. Kinnaird, D-Orange, who represents Person and Orange counties in Senate District 23 filed for reelection this week.

Kinnaird said, in a press release, that she was seeking an eighth term because, “We have made a lot of progress in the time I’ve been in the Senate but there’s still much more to be done to improve the lives of families in the state and in the district. I want to have the opportunity to continue working for them to provide meaningful legislation that affects the way we live and to help solve my constituents’ problems in dealing with the state bureaucracy.”

Kinnaird, who is co-chair of the Appropriations on Justice and Public Safety, Mental Health and Youth Services and the Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources committees, said, “North Carolina families continue to wrestle with the effects of the recession. We also continue to face serious challenges in the state budget. I will defend the most critical services for our citizens while working for a balanced budget.”

Republican Jon Greg Bass of Roxboro and Ryan A. Hilliard, a Chapel Hill Republican, are challenging Kinnaird for her Senate seat.



For more on this story, see the Saturday, Feb. 27, edition
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
abb
Member Avatar

http://www.heraldsun.com/view/full_story_news_durham/6588826/article-Edwards-tell-all-author-to-speak?instance=main_article


Edwards tell-all author to speak
03.05.10 - 08:55 pm
From staff reports

DURHAM -- Andrew Young -- whose book "The Politician" chronicles the political downfall of former senator, vice presidential candidate and presidential candidate John Edwards -- will discuss his book during separate events at two local bookstores.

Young will give a talk, answer questions and sign books at 7 p.m. March 16 at Barnes & Noble Booksellers at The Streets at Southpoint. Young also will read and sign copies at 7 p.m. March 22 at Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill.

Young's book, released in late January, chronicles the author's years as a close aide, friend and assistant to John and Elizabeth Edwards. Young served as a volunteer in Edwards' 1998 Senate campaign, and later took on more responsibilities after Edwards was elected.

In his book, Young discusses how he claimed paternity for videographer Rielle Hunter's baby to shield then-presidential candidate Edwards from scandal. Edwards' affair with Hunter became public later, and Edwards earlier this year admitted that he was the father of Hunter's child.

More recently, Andrew and Cheri Young have faced contempt of court charges in Orange County stemming from failure to hand over a tape that supposedly shows Hunter and Edwards having sex. The Youngs have since handed over the tapes.

"The Politician" has been on a number of bestseller lists for several weeks -- among them the Publishers Weekly and New York Times lists. The book also has been a favorite on the Durham County Library's weekly lists of most checked-out books.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
abb
Member Avatar

http://heraldsun.com/view/full_story/6585210/article-Attack-on-lawyers-for-aiding-detainees-a--shameful--act?instance=columnists#cb_post_comment_6585210


Attack on lawyers for aiding detainees a 'shameful' act
03.05.10 - 02:54 pm
By Walter Dellinger

Guest columnist

It never occurred to me on the day that Defense Department lawyer Rebecca Snyder and Lt. Cmdr. William Kuebler of the Navy appeared in my law firm's offices to ask for our assistance in carrying out their duties as military defense lawyers that the young lawyer who worked with me on that matter would be publicly attacked for having done so.

And yet this week that lawyer and eight other Justice Department attorneys have been attacked in a video released by a group called Keep America Safe (whose board members include William Kristol and Elizabeth Cheney) for having provided legal assistance to detainees before joining the department.

The video questions their loyalty to the United States, asking: "DOJ: Department of Jihad?" and "Who are these government officials? ... Whose values do they share?"

Here, in brief, is the story of one of those lawyers.

In June 2007, I was at a federal judicial conference when I received an urgent message to call the Defense Department. The caller was Lt. Cmdr. Kuebler, a uniformed Navy officer who had been detailed to the Office of Military Commissions. As part of his military duties, Kuebler had been assigned to represent Omar Khadr, a Guantanamo detainee who was to be tried before a military commission. Kuebler told me that the U.S. Supreme Court had agreed that day to review the case of another detainee who had been a part of the same lower court proceeding as Khadr. Because Kuebler's client had not sought review at the Supreme Court, this situation raised some complex questions of court practice with which Kuebler was unfamiliar. Kuebler's military superior suggested he call me and ask whether I could assist him in analyzing the applicable Supreme Court rule.

It was a Friday night. I called Karl Thompson, a lawyer at my firm who had previously been a Supreme Court law clerk, and asked whether he could look into the question over the weekend. I told Thompson that the military lawyers assigned to these cases had a very burdensome workload and that it seemed that Kuebler could really use our help.

Even though Thompson was extremely busy with other work at the firm, he said he would somehow find time for this as well.

Over the next several months, Thompson (in addition to his other firm work) provided assistance to Kuebler and his Defense Department colleague in their briefing before the Supreme Court and, in Khadr's case, the lower courts. Khadr's case raises important questions, including the legal status of juvenile detainees (he was 15 years old at the time of capture). In 2009, Thompson left our firm to join the Office of Legal Counsel at the Justice Department.

Thompson's assistance to the military officers who had been assigned to Khadr's case seemed to me to be not only part of a lawyer's professional obligation but a small act of patriotism as well. The other Justice Department lawyers named in this week's attack came to provide assistance to detainees in a number of ways, but they all deserve our respect and gratitude for fulfilling the professional obligations of lawyers. This sentiment is widely shared across party and ideological lines by leaders of the bar.

As former Solicitor General Ted Olson wrote in response to previous attacks on detainee lawyers, "The ethos of the bar is built on the idea that lawyers will represent both the popular and the unpopular, so that everyone has access to justice. Despite the horrible Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, this is still proudly held as a basic tenet of our profession."

That those in question would have their patriotism, loyalty and values attacked by reputable public figures such as Elizabeth Cheney and journalists such as Kristol is as depressing a public episode as I have witnessed in many years.

What has become of our civic life in America? The only word that can do justice to the personal attacks on these fine lawyers -- and on the integrity of our legal system -- is shameful. Shameful.

Walter Dellinger served as head of the Office of Legal Counsel in the Clinton administration. He is a partner at O'Melveny Myers and the Douglas B. Maggs Professor Emeritus of Law at Duke University. This column was written for The Washington Post.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
abb
Member Avatar

http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/03/06/372985/outsiders-will-review-sbi-lab.html


Published Sat, Mar 06, 2010 04:20 AM
Modified Sat, Mar 06, 2010 06:12 AM
Outsiders will review SBI lab

Two former FBI agents will comb through the work of North Carolina's crime lab, a massive undertaking prompted by mounting concerns about lab's integrity.

Attorney General Roy Cooper asked for the outsiders' help Friday to review cases and practices from the early 1990s to the present. The request came less than 24 hours after a team of criminal defense lawyers called for an external inspection. More than a week ago, Cooper had ordered an internal review of the lab.

"We told him simply that the public can't have any confidence if the review is done in-house," said Joseph B. Cheshire V, a Raleigh lawyer.

Problems at the State Bureau of Investigation's forensic science lab surfaced last month during a hearing for Greg Taylor, an innocent man who was imprisoned for 17 years after a flawed police investigation and trial. Duane Deaver, a veteran SBI agent, reported to prosecutors in 1991 that a substance found on Taylor's truck showed indications of being blood. In fact, additional testing performed by Deaver proved that wasn't the case, but he failed to disclose the further testing and negative results. Prosecutors repeatedly told jurors in Taylor's 1993 trial that the truck was stained with blood.

The review, which will be released to the public, promises to be an major undertaking. The lab has been responsible for forensic analysis on major crimes for decades. Thousands of cases must be pulled out of storage or reviewed on microfilm.

The investigators must also get a handle on the lab's culture, which some say encouraged questionable acts.

Deaver testified last month that supervisors told him to handle reports as he did. Robin Pendergraft, SBI director, defended Deaver's work in a recent interview with The News & Observer. She said it was lab practice to report results of the most advanced test that yielded positive results for blood. In Taylor's case, however, that was a simple, preliminary test that gives positive reactions not only for blood, but also for such substances as metals and plant or animal matter.

Cooper hired Mike Wolf, a former head FBI agent in Connecticut, and Chris Swecker, a lawyer and former agent in charge of North Carolina, to conduct the review.

Wolf has been at the helm of laboratory overhauls before. In 1998, he led an inspection team brought in to fix problems at the FBI crime lab in Quantico, Va., after a federal inspector general found a pattern of shoddy work, including lab reports shaded to favor prosecutors. Wolf was responsible for carrying out new policies and getting the lab reaccredited after the damning report.

Time-consuming effort

Swecker said Friday night that the review would be exhaustive. "It just won't happen overnight," he said.

Swecker, 53, retired from the FBI in 2006 as executive assistant director, supervising nine divisions including the science and forensic lab unit. He said that his law enforcement background will not sway his assessment.

"I'm an officer of the court," Swecker said. "I could very well find myself defending one of these people in court, and I want the system to be as fair and credible as it can be."

Swecker said he and Wolf will begin this month.

Cooper assured defense lawyers that they will have access to Wolf and Swecker throughout the review, and encouraged their input, Cheshire said.

Old cases reappraised

Cheshire and others told Cooper on Thursday about other problems they've encountered with SBI lab work, some as recently as last year. They also expressed disappointment to Cooper about recent public comments from Pendergraft, who they say has repeatedly defended or minimized problems at the SBI lab.

Pendergraft did not attend the meeting Thursday. Cooper and four of his top Department of Justice aides met with the defense lawyers.

"I think they were genuinely surprised at some of the things we told them had been going on, Cheshire said. "And they were most definitely concerned."

Since Taylor's exoneration, prosecutors and defense lawyers have been taking second looks at old cases. Jim Woodall, president of the N.C. Conference of District Attorneys and the district attorney in Orange and Chatham counties, called upon his comrades to inspect old cases that relied on blood evidence.

On Friday, Woodall praised Cooper's external review. But he also has faith the SBI will do a thorough job with its internal investigation, which will continue.

"This just bolsters public confidence," Woodall said.

Already, inmates have been writing to N.C. Prisoner Legal Services, raising concerns about faulty lab work used in their convictions, said Mary Pollard, executive director of the agency.

"The floodgates haven't opened yet," Pollard said. "We are giving each [case] a close look,"
mandy.locke@newsobserver.com or 919-829-8927
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
abb
Member Avatar

http://orange.mync.com/site/Orange/news/story/48894/unc-to-dedicate-garden-in-memory-of-slain-student/

Hundreds Turn Out For Dedication Of Eve Carson Garden
By AP, NBC17, 1 day, 9 hours ago
Updated: Mar. 5 12:04 am

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -

Around 400 people came together at UNC-Chapel Hill's Polk Place to dedicate a garden in the memory of slain student body president, Eve Carson.

This coming weekend marks the two year anniversary of Carson's death. Police say she was kidnapped and shot multiple times by Demario Atwater and Laurence Lovette in March 2008. Both men are currently in jail.

But Thursday's service wasn't about Carson death, but about her life.

"She hasn't left us," said Krisin Garris, UNC junior. "Maybe in the physical, but not in spirit, she's still here.

And with the Eve Carson Memorial Garden, there's now a permanent reminder of Carson's presence on campus. It's dedicated not only to Carson, but anyone who passes away while attending UNC.

"She was a representation of each of us," said Jasmine Jones, UNC's current student body president. "Someone full of promise and passion and loved life and the people around her."

Two years later, the emotions still run visibily deep for those who knew Carson. There were plenty of tears and hugs at the ceremony, but Jones said it was also a day for celebration. She said the garden personifies everything about Carson through it's beauty and as a way to bring people together.

"I can see people sitting here to study, watch the sky, to hold hour long conversations about life with friends and missing the first few minutes of class," said Jones.

The garden includes a seating area with colorful seasonal shrubs and flowers that were some of Carson's favorites. Every aspect of the garden was chosen intentionally, said Jill Coleman, University landscape acrhitect, in a news release. The seating area has a blue stone seat set in a traditional campus Chatham stone wall, the there is an inscription wall made of Georgia marble in honor of Carson's home state. The wall features a quote from Carson which reads, "Learn from every single being, experience, and moment, What joy it is to search for lessons of goodness and enthusiasm in others."

"One of the nice things about a garden is the sense of nature and order," said Carson's father, Bob Carson, in a news release. "It's a great place and, as you've envisioned, it will nurture many wonderful friendships, ideas, leaughs and thoughtful moments."

Lovette and Atwater, the men charged with killing Carson, are facing multiple state charges including first-degree kidnapping and first-degree murder. In addition, Atwater is facing federal charges. Federal and state prosecutors announced last year they will seek the death penalty against Atwater. Lovette is not eligible for the death penalty because he was under 18 when Carson was killed.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
abb
Member Avatar

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/college/lacrosse/bal-sp.duke06mar06,0,5202992.story

Blue Devils not panicking over shaky start in lacrosse
Duke hopes to improve against Maryland

By Edward Lee | edward.lee@baltsun.com

March 6, 2010

No one on the Duke men's lacrosse team is using the P-words - "playoffs" and "panic."

Crowned by several analysts as the top-ranked team in preseason polls, the Blue Devils squeaked past Bucknell in overtime before falling to Notre Dame in their first two games of the season.

But No. 6 Duke (2-1), which meets No. 7 Maryland (2-0) in the first game of the Konica Minolta Face-Off Classic at M&T Bank Stadium today, isn't sounding the alarm.

"It's not like we're down on ourselves or anything," junior defenseman Michael Manley said. "We go out every day and work hard, look at the film and look at what we did wrong, and then go out and fix that. We don't overreact. It's still early in the season."

Added coach John Danowski: "We lost one game. ... We lost to a really good team that was undefeated last year and has a lot of players back."

But fans and analysts have seen this scenario before: a Duke team brimming with talent and experience falling short of the NCAA title. The program has reached the final four in each of the past three season but lost in the semifinals twice (2008 and 2009) and the finals once (2007).

That inability to break through has been on the minds of the players, senior attackman Ned Crotty acknowledged.

"It's something we're all thinking of, and something we really don't want to repeat," he said. "People have criticized us for not winning the big game, and they're right. Last year was probably the only time people expected us not to be there. It's definitely something that everybody has thought about. But it's by no means a lock that we're going to get there. ... If we're fortunate to get that far, I think it's something we would definitely want to correct."

Jockeying with reigning national champion Syracuse for top billing this preseason, Duke returned seven starters, including its entire attack of Crotty (a Division I-best 78 points and 55 assists last year), senior Max Quinzani (46, 11) and junior Zach Howell (29, 19).

That trio leads the offense in scoring again. But unlike in previous seasons, the defense has struggled. Fifth-year senior defenseman Dan Theodoridis is starting for the first time, freshmen David Lawson and Jake Tripucka are two of the top four short-stick defensive midfielders, and freshman Dan Wigrizer is acclimating to his role as starting goalkeeper.

Duke slipped past No. 17 Bucknell, 12-11, in overtime in the teams' season opener Feb. 13, but the Blue Devils' troubles became apparent a week later when then-No. 8 Notre Dame scored the first two goals and never trailed en route to an 11-7 upset in Durham, N.C.

Duke rebounded with a 16-11 thumping of Pennsylvania last Saturday, but Crotty said the team has struggled at times.

"People have high expectations, and I think some guys on the team are trying to live up to those expectations as opposed to just playing the game," Crotty said. "We have not played up to our potential yet. Like the articles have said, we have all this talent, all this experience, all this leadership, and we really haven't put it together yet. Against UPenn, we had flashes here and there of how good we can be, and that's how we ended the game. We ended the fourth quarter really strong and pulling away. Hopefully, we can keep that ball rolling and take that momentum into this weekend against Maryland."

Danowski and the players emphasized that there are still 13 games left - and maybe 14 if the team reaches the finals of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament - which gives them plenty of time to fix any problems.

"Every team I've ever coached is a work in progress, and I don't think this is any different from any other one that I've seen," Danowski said. "There are just some things that you're not going to do and you're not ready to do at this time of the year individually or as a group, and you have to learn how to do that. Film is the best teacher, and experience is the best teacher. Every day, you hope to improve and get better."

Konica Minolta Face-Off Classic
Today@M&T Bank Stadium

•No. 6 Duke

vs. No. 7 Maryland, 11 a.m.

•No. 8 Princeton

vs. No. 5 Johns Hopkins, 1:30 p.m.

•No. 4 Notre Dame

vs. No. 10 Loyola, 4 p.m.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
abb
Member Avatar

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/lacrosse/blog/2010/03/one_uneducated_analysis_of_tew.html

One uneducated analysis of Tewaaraton Trophy watch list

The Tewaaraton Trophy watch list was released yesterday, and 17 of the names belong to players who currently play for Maryland-based programs or hail from the Baltimore metropolitan area.

Johns Hopkins leads the way locally with three nominees in senior attackman Steven Boyle, senior defenseman Matt Drenan and senior midfielder Michael Kimmel.

Maryland and Navy have two each. The Terps are represented by junior long-stick midfielder Brian Farrell and junior attackman Tim Paul, while the Midshipmen include senior attackman Tim Paul and sophomore defenseman Matt Vernam.

Loyola has a nominee in senior attackman Collin Finnerty, while UMBC has senior attackman Kyle Wimer.

In addition, Stevenson is represented by senior attackman Steve Kazimer and junior attackman Jimmy Dailey.

Players with ties to the Baltimore area include Virginia senior midfielder Brian Carroll (Towson/Gilman), Georgetown senior defenseman Barney Ehrmann (Baltimore/Gilman), junior attackman Andrew Feinberg (Owings Mills/McDonogh), Princeton sophomore goalkeeper Tyler Fiorito (Phoenix/McDonogh), Notre Dame senior midfielder Grant Krebs (Annapolis/St. Mary's) and Virginia sophomore attackman Steele Stanwick (Baltimore/Loyola).

But in my opinion, the list left off a few worthy names. Locally, what about Johns Hopkins senior defenseman Sam DeVore, Loyola senior attackman Cooper MacDonnell, Maryland junior attackman Grant Catalino, Mount St. Mary's junior goalie T.C. DiBartolo and Navy senior long-stick midfielder Jaren Woeppel?

And nationally, Bucknell senior attackman Tim Brandau, Notre Dame junior midfielder Zach Brenneman, Brown junior defenseman Peter Fallon, Hofstra junior attackman Jamie Lincoln, Duke senior attackman Max Quinzani and Stony Brook junior face-off specialist Adam Rand deserve some recognition.

A few other notes on the watch list:

*There are 30 seniors, 27 juniors and seven sophomores, but no freshmen.

*Attackmen dominate, leading the way with 28 representatives. There are 16 defensemen, 12 midfielders and eight goalkeepers.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
abb
Member Avatar

http://www.diamondbackonline.com/sports/men-s-lax-game-against-duke-a-step-forward-for-brian-farrell-1.1223484

Men's lax game against Duke a step forward for Brian Farrell
Defender missed last season's game vs. Blue Devils while nursing severe injury

By Kate Yanchulis

|

Published: Friday, March 5, 2010

Updated: Friday, March 5, 2010

Tomorrow’s game against Duke at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore has been a long time coming for Terrapin men’s lacrosse defender Brian Farrell.

More than a year ago, as his team faced the same opponent at the same venue for the same event — the Konica Minolta Face-off Classic — the long pole instead found himself a mile away in the hospital, listening to the ACC opener on the radio.

“It was tough,” Farrell said. “I’ll never forget when I was sitting in the hospital bed.”

Farrell checked into the University of Maryland Medical Center on the Thursday before the Duke game after doctors told him he needed surgery to remove a buildup of blood in his chest around two cracked ribs.

Two weeks earlier, he had broken his ribs against Air Force in the second game of the season. Though he played in the next game, the extent of his injury soon became clear.

“They were like, ‘I’m sorry, sir, I don’t think you’re going to be able to play in the game. You have to get this blood removed, and you’re not going to be ready by Saturday,’” Farrell said. “I was devastated.”

To add insult to injury, Farrell didn’t even get to hear the whole radio broadcast. He listened as his team amassed an 8-4 lead through the first three quarters, but as the fourth quarter started, a nurse came in to take him into surgery. He said he even asked for a half-hour delay, but the surgeon insisted they proceed.

When he returned from the procedure, his father told him the good news: The Terps had won, 11-8. And when some of his teammates visited later, he shared in their celebration. But without question, he would rather have been on that field.

After missing the rest of last year with the injury, the redshirt junior and team captain will finally get his chance against Duke this weekend. The No. 7 Terps (2-0) even boast the same ranking they held going into last year’s match.

No. 9 Duke (2-1) came into this season ranked No. 2 but dropped after an overtime win against Bucknell and a loss to Notre Dame. The Blue Devils haven’t gotten much production from their midfield, which has contributed only 19 percent of their scoring.

Instead, they have relied heavily on their attack to pull them through.

Duke’s long pole defenders provide another strength, according to Terps’ coach Dave Cottle, especially the pressure they apply on transition.

The Terps plan to counter with their own transition game, spearheaded by Farrell. The 6-foot-5, 240-pound long pole, who also serves as a wing on faceoffs, makes his presence felt all the way up the field.

“He’s just the spark and energy of the defense, and he can go play offense too,” goalie Brian Phipps said. “So we’re going to have that surprise factor this year having him on defense and also able to go and score. It’s going to be a lot of fun to have him back.”

The Terps felt Farrell’s loss immediately last season, starting in the win against the Blue Devils. Though they did score transition goals in the match, they did not have as much movement from the defense through the attack, Cottle said.

“We went from a team that was going to try to run from defense to offense to, with one player going out, not being able to run as much as we normally ran,” Cottle said. “I think it affected us style-wise, substance-wise. We had to overcome that.”

Farrell proved his worth when he came out swinging against Georgetown last weekend in his first game against high-level competition since returning. In a 15-13 comeback win, Farrell collected a career-high 10 ground balls, doubling his previous best, and recorded a career-high six caused turnovers.

The Baltimore native said he hopes to be even more productive in his hometown. He got the chance to play at M&T Bank Stadium twice in high school, but because of his injury, he hasn’t yet gotten the chance in college.

“I’m so excited. It’s a huge venue, and there’s going to be a lot of people there,” Farrell said. “It’s Ravens stadium, which is one of my favorite places to play. It’s just awesome. I can’t wait. I’m so excited.”

kyanchulis@umdbk.com
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
abb
Member Avatar

http://www.ncdistrictattorney.org/09A/joelbrewer.htm

Thank you for visiting the web site of the District Attorney's Office in Judicial District 9A, which encompasses all of Caswell and Person counties, North Carolina. It is the duty of this office to represent the State with integrity and professionalism, while protecting victims and their rights, in the pursuit of justice.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
ZetaBoards - Free Forum Hosting
ZetaBoards gives you all the tools to create a successful discussion community.
Learn More · Sign-up Now
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · DUKE LACROSSE - Liestoppers · Next Topic »
Add Reply