More Kiddie hysteria....

Well the feds are at it again: "State and federal authorities are investigating the possible sexual abuse of minors at a 15-acre evangelical compound run by a convicted tax evader whom critics describe as a cult leader." See the entire story here. "The Tony Alamo Christian Ministries complex in southwestern Arkansas was raided Saturday by more than 100 federal and state police, and six children have been placed in temporary state custody and are being interviewed." The CNN video reports here detail that there are allegations of child porn, and sexual "abuse" withing the Alamo ministries.

Can you say witchhunt? Apparently the feds have been after Alamo for years - repeatedly raiding his compounds in California, Texas and now Arkansas. The evidence that the cops are supposedly acting on is not being revealed but it is very reminescient of the raids on the Koresh compound in Waco, Texas, and the polygamist raid in Utah earlier this year where over 400 kids were removed. As usual, the raid is highly publicized but the evidence of wrongdoing - specific, REAL evidence - is never revealed. Moreover, the anguish of the families and the individual cases are quickly forgotten (or never considered) by the public at large.

My wish for law enforcement and prosecutors is that they finally get over there incessant need to grand stand in high profile busts without considering the emotional, finacial and reputation fall-out to the people involved.

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John A. Birdsall, Birdsall Law Offices, S.C.



135 W. Wells St., Ste 214

Milwaukee, WI 53203

414.831.5465 -
www.birdsall-law.com

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The Tragedy of Overzealous Prosecutors

Recently on this blog, my associate, TJ Perlick-Molinari, discussed a gang shooting case he won by talking about "The Tragedy of Gang Violence." It was, as he pointed out, a nasty and unnecessary shooting. What he failed to mention (or brag about!) is how important a vigorous defense attorney is in the process of criminal justice. Here, the state charged a shooting as a "party to a crime" which includes aiding and abetting, facilitating, conspiracy, etc., to commit the crime. However, the prosecutor alleged, through their victim, that our client did it directly.

The victim was just a rival gang member who was out to enhance his position and reduce his own prison time. It was a ridiculous case that never should have been brought and the jury saw right through it. If it hadn't been for TJ's aggressive defense, this client would be at Dodge Correctional Institution right now. The defense matters - though this is largely unseen and unrecognized by the public. TJ's post was far too modest - he was a hero that day for the cause of acting as a fundamental check on governmental power that ran amuk. Kudos to him and all like him that call out prosecutors and police without just rolling over and pleading clients out.

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John A. Birdsall, Birdsall Law Offices, S.C.
135 W. Wells St., Ste 214, Milwaukee, WI 53203
414.831.5465 - www.birdsall-law.com

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Never Judge a Book by its Cover

Battery to a Law Enforcement Officer is a crime that defense attorneys dread to defend. The case boils down to this. A police officer, usually in uniform, with gun and badge, will come in and tell the jury how much of a bad guy the defendant is, show his bruise, and then leave the stand. If anyone else testifies, it is usually his partner who witnessed the whole thing unfold. Slam dunk for the prosecution, right?

Not necessarily. Keep in mind that just because a case looks like a loser on its face does not mean that it is a loser deep inside.

As it turns out in our scenario, two police officers got on the stand and testified, but interestingly enough, they both told different stories. Under cross examination officer 1 and officer 2 could not even explain exactly how the injury occurred, even though they claim they were both, "right there". Referencing their police reports didn't help either. Upon refreshing their memories, they both realized they had written down different accounts of what happened. On top of the debacle which was the testimony of the two on scene officers, a detective got on the stand and initially testified that he had spent 2 hours with the defendant getting his confession. As it turns out, that didn't happen either. On cross, it came out that he really only spent 20 minutes with the defendant. By his own training manual that was not enough time to get an accurate statement.

In the end, the jury found my client not guilty and sent him home. So despite the charges, the bruising evidence and what may seem like insurmountable odds, we asked questions and set the record straight in a criminal trial by jury held in Milwaukee County Circuit Court on the charge of battery to a law enforcement officer and won an outright acquittal (not guilty verdict from the jury).

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John A. Birdsall - T.J. Perlick-Molinari
Birdsall Law Offices, S.C.
135 W. Wells St., Ste 214, Milwaukee, WI 53203
801 West Walnut Street, Green Bay, Wisconsin 53704

414.831.5465
www.birdsall-law.com