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The Alabama District Attorneys Association is asking Attorney General Troy King to apologize to Robby Owens for publicly upbraiding the Shelby County D.A. in his announcement that he was taking a case away from Owens.
From their first statement yesterday:
The role of a district attorney–to serve as a minister of justice–is clear, and by attacking the role of this particular district attorney in performing this role, [Troy King] has attacked us all.
Troy King responds with his own statement yesterday. An excerpt:
I think he and the district attorneys condoning his behavior should think more about the tear-stained pillows upon which the murder victims’ families lay their heads every night, alone and hurting. The Supreme Court was wrong when it directed that teenage killers be freed from Death Row. District Attorneys are wrong when they advocate that these adult accomplices also be freed. I have never agreed with any of them.
Yesterday afternoon, the DA’s held a press conference and released another statement. An excerpt:
To publicly assert that District Attorney Owens was in anyway deficient in his responsibilities to his constituents and the victims’ families is unfair, disingenuous and, quite frankly, sickening.
[...]
The Attorney General, whatever his motivations in choosing to disparage the good name and character of Robby Owens, should apologize to his learned colleague and learn something from him about making hard decisions and effective public service. If he cannot recognize the error of his needless attack on the District Attorney, perhaps he should consider his fitness for the position he now holds.
A point in favor of the District Attorneys’ assertion that there is something less-than-professional about King’s public statements is that the particular capital case in question is on appeal and so prosecution would be moved to Troy King’s office anyway. (See paragraph 6 here.) Seeing that his office would handle the case anyway, why the need to announce that he was taking the case away from Robby Owens unless there was intent to publicly disparage Owens?
Unless it has something to do with Robby Owens aligning himself with the D.A.’s who endorsed King’s opponent John Tyson Jr. in the 2006 general election.
I believe it to be fair to say that there is no love lost between King and the District Attorneys Association.
Related Articles:
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Doc:
I have read and heard alot of strong words and comments
about Troy King.
I have kept my thoughts to myself, but now must speak out.
I remember what a law professor once said. “Strong words
sometimes hide weak facts.”
Troy King would not expect me to defend him but I feel
that he is being unfairly treated.
Therefore, I will say a few words in his defense.
Even a pancake has two sides.
1. Troy King is a young and rising star in the politcal
arena.
2. Troy King has worked hard all his life. Worked his way
through school. We need someone who understands how
real people feel.
3. Troy King has been perceived as and ” easy target” of
the anti-Reagan crowd. They can’t attack Reagan so they
go after Troy King.
4. Troy King does have a youthful look. He appears
younger than most of the political players in Montgomery.
If you were to see him on stage you might mistake him
for an Ewan McGregor, Pat Boone, or a young Wayne Newton.
I don’t know if he can sing, but it would not suprise me.
We need to include young people in state government.
Let’s give them a boost and encouragement
and a helpful hand.
5. Troy King has the heart of a fighter.
He will not only survive politically. He will emerge
stronger than ever.
6. Troy King defeated two tough opponents. I watched him
debate John Tyson on APT. Tyson was a good debater.
Troy was better!!
7. Troy King defends our laws. The death penalty is the
law. I hope it stays the law.
Troy King this message is for you if you read this blog,
which I think you do!!
” Hang tough Troy, we are behind you all the way”!!
Signed,
Your Friends
We know Troy reads the blog, what else would he possibly be doing all day, besides “consoling victims’ families” with needless and hateful rhetoric? He decided that crime prevention was “liberal social programs” and instead just wants to wait for crimes to happen, then sentence all offenders to death. Someone needs to stop this guy before he does irreparable harm to Alabama’s already suspect justice system.
Troy. Incompetent. Laugahable. Finished.
Tom Davis? Are you sure that isn’t John Q. McWhitey? Do people even know why they support a candidate anymore? Good grief!
1. So what if he’s young! What does that have to do with anything?
2. King has worked hard all his life. As opposed to who, exactly? I hear he also sucks air and eats breakfast.
3. If a person is stuck in perpetual screw-up mode, he SHOULD be an easy target.
4. He’s pretty? You support him because he’s PRETTY?!
5. Troy king has the heart of a fighter. Okay. Does it matter that he’s fighting for injustice?
6. He debates well? He’s defeated opponents? Mmk. Yeah, he recently supported a town’s un-elected leadership while they defeated their opponents (AKA, their voters), who lost an opportunity to vote. Way to go on fighting those opponents.
7. Troy King may defend the law, but does he defend justice? Those are, I assure you, two completely different things.
Someone please tell me that the above comment was an attempt at satire before my head explodes.
I’m afraid that Tom Davis had his satire gland removed several years ago.
“Et tu, Roy?
Troy King…geebus.
I had a R state legislator tell me a recently how embarrassing that guy is to the state…
and who is the only DA in state that failed to blast him?
I mean do you go with “41 of Alabama’s 42 district attorneys, the association said: “If he (King) cannot recognize the error of his needless attack on the district attorney, perhaps he should consider his fitness for the position he now holds.”
or Troy boy and Tom Davis whoever the heck that guy is?
As a family member on the other side (victims) I would like to state my opinion. My brother’s children ages 6 and 7 along with his ex-wife and her boyfriend were murdered in Pelham, Alabama 3-22-97. Now we were done a complete injustice when Mark Duke was pulled from death row by the supreme court. Brandon Samra remains on death row (he was 19 when the crime was committed). Brandon Samra killed 2 people, Mark duke killed 2 people. We would not want ANOTHER injustice to be done to us by pulling Brandon Samra from Death row so I think Troy King did the right thing. I like Robbie Owens and think he did a GREAT job on our case but he is WRONG this time. He did not consult the family members who are left in this case. The family went to Troy King and asked him to take the case away from Robbie Owens, Troy did not have to do so but it was the right thing to do. I don’t understand HOW Robbie Owens could ask for an overturn without the permission of the family. Robbie’s job is to defend that victim not the criminal. We have spoke with Robbie about this a few years ago when the supreme court handed down their judgement. I didn’t agree with it then and I don’t agree with it now. Robbie Owens and Troy King are both good people but in this case Troy is right (sorry Robbie). I would hope that none of you are ever in the situation to lose a loved one to murder but I can assure you if you are you will feel differently. Just because the younger criminals got LUCKY does not mean the adults should get the same. What are we doing? If Gamble does not stay on death row we have just created a MASSIVE SNOWBALL effect. My heart goes out to the family members on both sides but when you commit a crime their are consequences to pay and a jury decides that. Troy King is the voice for those victims that have already been sentenced. The victims have already GOT the death penalty and who will speak for them. The victims are often forgotten about and the criminals are the ones with the rights, PLEASE stand up for those that cannot speak for themselves; because any one of you reading this could be in the same position today.
As a Republican and a Riley support, I feel safe in saying that the worst mistake Governor Riley made while in office was appointing Troy King as Attorney General. In the office of Attorney General, we need an individual who actually understands and respects the rule of law. Troy King does not. He flagrantly ignores the rulings of the Supreme Court, whether it be encouraging a judge to provide the sentence of death by overruling a jury’s sentence of life imprisonment or disregard for the Supreme Court’s ruling regarding minors on death row.
As for Tom Davis:
1. He may be young, but he is certainly not rising. It is widely known that Troy King is through after this term, whether he loses in the Republican primary for Governor or Luther Strange beats him for Attorney General in the Republican primary.
2. I love that phrase. “Real people.” I would love to meet some of these fake people I keep hearing about. Androids I presume?
As for his work ethic, I would point out that there is nothing more dangerous than someone who is both incompetent and a hard worker.
3. Just stop. As a supporter of Reagan, how dare you compare him to Troy King? You are comparing the man who saved the conservative movement and won the Cold War to a man who has proven himself nothing short of an embarrassment to his state and party.
4. Ewan McGregor? Have you ever actually seen a Ewan McGregor film. I suppose Troy King is attractive if one appreciates that whole Hitler Youth look.
5. Watch 2010. Troy King is done. He no longer has the support of those who fund campaigns in the Republican Party. If anything, he has their ire. A good way to lose a race in 2010 would be to nominate Troy King, as you would lose the votes of a fair number of Republicans.
6. First, anyone who describes Mark Montiel as a tough opponent was obviously not watching the 2006 race. Second, John Tyson lacked the support of the African American leadership in the Democratic Party. These were not the strong opponents previously described.
7. No, Troy King does not defend our laws. Troy King encourages judges to overturn jury verdicts in order to sentence felons to death, contrary to rulings by the Supreme Court which forbid such actions. Remember, rulings of the Supreme Court are the law of the land. Troy King defends Troy King’s political aspirations. Nothing more, nothing less.
In short, Troy King is the worst kind of demagogue in the office that least needs demagoguery. 2010 and a new Attorney General cannot come soon enough.
Will: I appreciate your taking the time to respond to the talking points. I can see
that you are very knowledgeable.
I have to disagree with you on some of your responses. I did not compare him with
Ronald Reagan. Although they both wear cowboy boots.
You are losing me with this “Hitler Youth Look”. I don’t get it. Why did you say he
has “Hitler Youth Look” that is a cheap shot.
As far as Tyson not having black support in the general election. I disagree with
your analysis. Virtually every black voter in Alabama voted a straight ticket.
In addition, Troy King trounced John Tyson in the debate on APT.
Troy King had a better command of the facts and was clearly better prepared.
And don’t say that Troy King beat Tyson because it was a Republican year. Folsom,
Sue Bell Cobb and the whole U.S. Senate and house prove that wrong.
Troy King has widespread support with the middle class and that is why he beat
John Tyson and that is why he will win in 2010.
QED
Tom, go watch his campaign ads from 2006 again. The demeanor, the statements, the music has a fascist feel to it. That may just be me, but I found them disturbing, both in their incompetence and in their demeanor.
As for Tyson, you need only look at his primary election totals to see how much support he had from the African American community. “Dr.” Joe L. Reid has personal animosity towards Tyson. These are facts. I also do not see how you can say King trounced Tyson during the debates. Most commentators felt Tyson won the evening. Further, his showing the illogical nature of King’s call for the execution of rapists was widely considered the best line of the night.
I never said Troy King beat Tyson because it was a Republican year. I have noted previously that it was anything but a Republican year on this very board. That said, however, Tyson’s lack of support in the African American community hurt him, whether it be his close race with Darby in the primary or the general lack of enthusiasm for his candidacy.
Interesting comments about King in 2010. Tell me, where exactly will he be receiving his campaign contributions? Those who give to campaigns in this state think King is a buffoon. Even Riley’s supporters admit it was a mistake to appoint him. Tom, like it or not, Troy King is done. In 2010, King will lose to either Luther Strange for the Attorney General nomination or the eventual Gubernatorial nominee in the Republican primary. I personally will find it extremely healthy that the Republican Party will itself take action to remove this nincompoop from elected office.
Will, I agree with just about everything you said regarding Troy King. And Tom, I disagree with just about everything you say. Here are a few observations, for whatever they are worth:
1. First of all Tom, you did compare Troy King to Ronald Reagan. You said the anti-Reagan crowd goes after King because they know they can’t go after Reagan. That is the most laughable and absurd thing I have ever heard.
2. Troy King did not go through two tough elections. While Tyson was a decent candidate, he was little known outside Mobile and did not run a particularly impressive campaign. Troy King lucked out and rode his incumbency into a full term.
3. Nowhere did anyone try to say Troy King won because it was a Republican year.
4. Troy King took money and gifts from Alabama Power (and then tried to cover it up). He also is intimately involved in the two-year college scandal, trying to get his friends hired while conducting an investigation.
5. Troy King has little if any trial experience.
6. Troy King has little if any support from lawyers across the state. These are the people that know his lawyering skills, went to law school with him, and have heard his reputation as a lawyer. Troy King does not have the support of his peers in his profession.
7. Troy King would rather have a new conference than pursue justice. He has proven that to us in the last few years.
8. Troy King would love to be a populist. The problem is, the people don’t trust him. He is too opportunistic.
9. Troy King is a joke. He as no respect for the law. He spits on Supreme Court decisions because he wants to rile up a bunch of voters. But in doing so, he makes himself and the state of Alabama look like fools.
10. Troy King does not care about victims. He only cares about scoring a few political points.
11. Troy King has absolutely no chance at winning governor, or any other higher office. He might win reelection to the AG’s office . . . but this will definitely be a challenge. This term has been one failure after another. He is tainted good, and has not proven himself in the job. He will be able to raise some money because he is an incumbent, but a credible challenger could certainly raise much more. I know plenty of people that would be willing to write a check this time around.
12. Troy King should hang it up and not run for anything. If he keeps up his current behavior, before he knows it he won’t have a friend in the entire state.
13. Bob Riley has been a good governor. But Troy King was a massive mistake. Troy King is a miserable failure.
Troy King has a problem with the law. Troy King swore to uphold the Constitution, but now he is ignoring a important U. S. Supreme Court decision which says juveniles can no longer be put to death for their crimes. Troy King needs to be removed from office. I believe this man is extremely dangerous. Troy King lets politics control his actions. He want’s to take revenge on a fellow Republican that did not support him for his re-election bid. It is time for you to resign for this and your lack of courtroom experience. You have proven to the people of Alabama, Governor Bob Riley, and the District Attorneys of the state of Alabama that you are not fit to hold the office of Attorney General.
Mr. Tom Davis: You contradict yourself. I am not arguing either way the issue of Boy Troy, but you say that on the one hand
blacks voted a straight ticket and on the other hand you point out the victory of Cobb and Folsom. You are correct on the
latter and incorrect on the former. Riley received almost 25% of the black vote and so, yes – blacks were clearly willing to
split their ticket. Tyson was well known not to have the support of the black community.
Black “Community” — HA! Tyson made the most loudmouthed political African American in the state mad, but prosecuting and convicted too many black elected officials. The black community in Mobile support and love what John Tyson does for them. Always have, because he treats them just like he does everyone else: honestly and fairly.
As for King in 2010 — he’ll get his money like he did last year — from Stan Pate.
Wow! Tom, if you are in fact serious… Wow!
You have accomplished one thing. I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but I’m actually starting to feel sorry for Troy King if that’s the best supporter and support statement he has. It’s kind of sad, actually.
What’s this talk about Reagan? Doesn’t anyone on this forum know that he’s been dead for a number of years?
Troy King accepted luxury box seats from Alabama Power a company whose customers he is supposed to represent before the Public Service Commission.
While conducting an investigation of the two-year college system, Troy King asked a target of the investigation, former Chancellor Roy Johnson, to find a job for the mother of a staff member.
The hiring scandal eventually forced Troy King to step aside from the two-year college investigation and delegate it to the St. Clair District Attorney.
Troy King also asked Roy Johnson, who he was still investigating, to donate to a victims’ advocacy group named VOCAL.
Resign Troy King Resign!
Troy King’s erratic and irrational behavior is damaging any hope of a future run for governor (and probably reeleciton). This might be the best thing that ever happened to Alabama — because it ensured that he will never get elected to to the state’s highest office. Look at quotes from the Phillip Rawls AP article published Tuesday evening:
Political experts said the public feud could have long-term consequences for King, particularly if he seeks re-election in 2010 or decides to run for governor.
“When your professional credentials are called into question by 41 of your peers or near peers, that is not the kind of thing that helps you become governor,” said Jess Brown, a political scientist at Athens State University.
“It’s never good for an attorney general to get in a spitting match with local prosecutors. They are supposed to be on the same side,” said David Lanoue, chairman of the political science department at the University of Alabama.
For Lanoue, it was telling when the district attorneys talked about King’s experience.
“They are sending a message they believe this is a competency issue,” he said.
Brad Moody, a political scientist at Auburn University Montgomery, said King could have quietly taken over the case from the district attorney without criticizing him publicly last week.
“If he were more concerned about the victims and less about the politics, that would have been the way to do it,” Moody said.
In Lanoue’s view, the next step for King is difficult.
“If he issues an apology, he’s all but admitting he stepped over the line for personal reasons,” Lanoue said. “If he doesn’t apologize, he serves out his term with angry prosecutors.”
Good bye Mr. King. Good bye. You went too far this time, and you ain’t ever coming back from this. Your statement last week will go down as one of the worst blunders in the history of Alabama politics.
ptclearer: Thanks for posting that article, I missed it…
=====
For Lanoue, it was telling when the district attorneys talked about King’s experience.
“They are sending a message they believe this is a competency issue,” he said.
=====
WOW!
Yes. Phillip Rawls article is powerful stuff. My instinct from the very beginning was that this could not be a good move for Troy King. He thought he could not go wrong in Alabama standing up for victims and the death penalty. But he picked a fight with a respected, experienced prosecutor who was following the law. Troy King came across as opportunistic, vengeful, and overly political when important issues were at stake. While many of us felt this could damage or end his career, it has become much more real seeing it in print. Rawls’ article basically implies Troy King is finished. Furthermore, the Republican Party and Governor Riley’s responses do not look good for King. Riley says that if he were King he would have handled this privately if he really had a problem with Owens . . . implying King is inexperienced and immature. Hubbard says the exchanges have not turned into mean-spririted personal attacks. Mike Hubbard is either lying or the world’s biggest idiot. Troy King is in big trouble. I predict Troy King will never win another statewide election in Alabama. His actions will go down as one of the biggest political blunders in the history of this state.
Alabama Line currently has Troy King’s odds as 14-1 for the Governor’s race. It might be time to change that to 114-1.
Troy King…the GOP’s answer to Nancy Worley‘s competence; Seigleman’s ethics, combined with the sincerity (and fashion) of the Rev. Al Sharpton. King is eminently qualified for elected office in Alabama: just the type of pol the moneyed powerbrokers and the special interests want in Montgomery.
By the way Troy, I am one who long ago scraped the Cops for King bumper sticker from my truck. You have clearly shown that you do not travel by the same moral/ethical compass that most of my brothers and sisters follow, despite your political rhetoric and despite your ostentatious wearing and display of Blue Line symbols reserved to symbolize law enforcement service and sacrifice.
[...] I actually just now got around to actually reading the statement from the Alabama District Attorney Association about Troy King’s actions towards Shelby County District Attorney Robbie Owens (I’ve been busy). The most interesting part (see paragraph 6 of the statement) was recently brought up by Danny on Doc’s Political Parlor: A point in favor of the District Attorneys’ assertion that there is something less-than-professional about King’s public statements is that the particular capital case in question is on appeal and so prosecution would be moved to Troy King’s office anyway. Seeing that his office would handle the case anyway, why the need to announce that he was taking the case away from Robbie Owens unless there was intent to publicly disparage Owens? [...]
I’ve got to say that none of you guys are being very nice except for Mr. Davis (who is in fact serious and a real person — as opposed to John Q. McWhitey). Having said that, I also think all of you guys are right except for Mr. Davis.
just heard that King is having a press conference today to respond to the DAs. What a dumb move. He needs to have a private dialog and solve the problem rather than esculate the rhetoric. King is losing the PR battle but instead of letting the story die, he is going to add fuel to the fire. His only recourse is to apologize, but that option closed when he effectively accused all the DAs of siding with criminals over victims.
To all that don’t think Troy King did the right thing. One question for you. Our case was affected by the supreme courts ridiculous decision and Mark Duke came off of death row leaving Brandon Samra on death row. An injustice was done to us when Mark Duke came off should a second injustice be done and pull Brandon Samra off death row because that is what will happen if Gambles conviction is not overturned. It will affect our case and let me ask you if a 19 year old had decapitated your little 6 year old daughter would you want YOUR attorney asking the judge to pull him off of death row. HECK NO! The victims family in this case went to Troy King. While I will agree yes we are emotional when it is your loved one that has been killed, we should NOT have to go through another trial or sentencing. A jury of 12 peers convicted Brandon Samra so will he be the next to be overturned by Robbie OWENS? I like Robbie Owens, and respect him he did us a great job but he is WRONG on this one. Our little girls got the death penalty who will defend them? Think of how you would feel if this was your family and your attorney. I do NOT think he owes Robbie Owens an apology and I think the press conference is the best thing. He needs to respond and be heard the DA’s are wrong on this one.
Thuntj, maybe you need to reflect on what it means to be an American. The Constitution of the United States imposes certain limits on how we do things, like punish criminals. The U. S. Supreme Court has the final say in what the Constitution requires. You may not like what that Court says, but you are bound to follow its decisions. King’s attitude reminds me of Roy Moore’s and George Walace’s demagougery — let’s score political points by flouting the rule of law. Supporters of King’s — who apparently have no regard for the principles of our American criminal justice system — enable this kind of lawlessness. It is time that people recognize that people like Roy Moore and Troy King are not just wrong — they are unpatriotic and unAmerican.
Big Mo:
How would you feel if your six year old daughter had been decapitated?
I wouldn’t feel that taking another life would bring her back or make me feel better.
Big MO: do you not realize that Robbie Owens is doing a political Ploy? HE is the one who went for the death penalty on Gamble, knowing ALL of the facts. My family spoke with Robbie Owens when the supreme court handed down this decision. He mentioned this in regards to the Gamble man and in reflective to our case “Samra”. We felt the same then as we do now, however in that meeting he disclosed to us his reasoning and his reasoning is NOT ENTIRELY PURE. This is what he said to us. The Gamble man would remain on death row and he was not actually the TRIGGER man, (which I might is different from Samra-Samra was the trigger man) BUT HIS MAIN reason was that Gamble was a black man and the juvenile who was let off of death row was white, he didn’t feel it was fair and appeared racist to leave the black man on death row. Well if the black, purple, or green man is convicted and sentenced to death that is what it should be and how it should stand. Tell me what race has to do with it. I swear to you those words come from his mouth and I would stand in front of him with my family and the other 3 families affected by our case who also heard this if he ever denied it. Again I state Robbie Owens is WRONG and his motives are not entirely pure. Robbie is a good man but he has turned his back this time on the family he was to protect.
TO Tom Davis: Thank you, he doesn’t know how we feel because he obviously has never been through it. We are talking 6 and 7 years old with their throats cut and 43 defensive wounds on the hand/arms of the 7 year old.
To Anonymous: Scared to put your name? No taking another life wouldn’t bring her back it’s an empty victory but again you have not walked in my shoes you don’t know what you would do. I wouldn’t make you feel better but it would be closure and at least we know justice by his peers has been served and maybe we wouldn’t have to worry about going to a hearing or facing the possiblity that he might walk one day. TRUST me no one ever knew we would overturn death penalties on 16 & 17 year olds so don’t say it could not happen. This is America, make those that do wrong face the consequences of their actions.
Do you think it is appropriate to use the victims families for political purposes? The U. S. Supreme Court has the final say in what the Constitution requires for the death penalty.
And the victims families will once again be victimized. Troy King, will have given the victims families a false hope, that he can not deliver on.
Expect King to trot out some weeping victims to make his case that he is Alabama’s Captain Justice. One may recall that King did the same thing during last year’s campaign with Jennifer Murphy whose mother was brutally murdered in Mobile. What happened next? The opposition’s research re-victimized Murphy and added to her grief by repeatedly running television adds slamming her as a convicted criminal (minor theft)saying that she could not be believed when speaking in support for King. Ironically, those ads implied, as King now does with DA Owens, that King should not be a prosecutor because he consorts with criminals.
Sadly, when Murphy no longer had any political value to him King let her slowly swing from the rope of public exposure with which he provided the opposition to hang her: exposure that continues today as Murphy’s sad life continues to spiral downhill with recent press reports of new criminal charges against Murphy and the media reminding viewers and readers of her past association with King. One has to fear similar peril for what I presume will be the genuine, grieving victims that I expect King to use today for political purposes.
Thuntj, please see my response to your comment on the Birmingham Blues blog. I’m only going to add to it here.
There was a time when lynch mobs ruled, and people were killed with no trial and no conviction. Laws and court decisions help keep our emotional killing sprees in check. They protect us just as much as they protect the accused.
Since my own situation, I’ve come to believe that those same laws have provided us the means to be killers from a distance. Would your six year old daughter want Mommy or Daddy to become a killer? My own situation has caused me to believe that anyone calling for an execution– whether it is the victim’s family, a judge, or a jurist– should be required to administer the means of execution. It really is the same thing whether you do it yourself or have someone else do it for you. Whether you are alone or if a group agrees with you, you are contributing to the death of another human being. For any normal person, that is a huge realization to deal with. Just ask any soldier or police officer who has shot someone to stay alive. Yeah, you had to save your own skin, but you will never forget pulling the trigger. Never.
If you contribute to the death of another human being, what does that make you? How does that person’s family now view you? Does it make you better? Was your reason just? Does it really? But the most important question to ask… Is that what a six-year-old girl would have wanted?
To Pookie and Anonymous:
I will be there today I volunteered, I wasn’t asked I just called and told them I wanted to be there! The public needs to see the faces of those that Troy has stood up for. I consider Robbie Owens a good man but Troy King should not be thrown to the wolves for standing up for the victims. ONCE again, The family went to Troy King. This should have never happened in the first place without at least letting the family know. I do realize our case is a little different but I am sure we will be having this conversation again when it hits our case. I WILL NOT GO DOWN WITHOUT A FIGHT, I’VE LOST EVERYTHING AND I WANT BRANDON SAMRA TO CONTINUE TO BE ON DEATH ROW. If this is wrong then God forgive me but this feels right. Why not let all of the people off death row? Make these families go through even more agony of a sentencing hearing or new trial- yes let’s defend the criminals. There are families who still suffer and grieve, take a look at our loved ones and see if you still feel that Brandon Samra’s life is worth more than theirs. He will not suffer the way they did in their final moments. Here is the website http://www.angelfire.com/al/tommysangels
NOW tell me Brandon Samra needs to live his life in prison after you see these babies beautiful faces and what they missed out on. No, you can’t convince me that this is right. Thank you Troy King for what you do for the victims.
Thuntj… I honestly can’t believe that you never thought of the possibility that your case would be appealed. For those on death row, appeals are all but automatic. Whether or not the Supreme Court made their decision, you’d have faced another trial. Period. It doesn’t matter if the perp was under 18 or middle age.
People ARE facing the consequences of their actions… They just aren’t the consequences that YOU think are best. Quite frankly, as someone who is close to the situation, you are the LAST person who should decide what those consequences should be. You obviously have emotions tied to the situation, and as such, you cannot possibly form an unbiased and objective judgement.
How would you feel if your six-year-old daughter had been brutally slaughtered by your 16-year-old son? Would you still be calling for his death?
Doc:
After hearing from the family, I am more than ever supporting Troy King!
When Jack Traywick went to prison for rape murder we were told he would die in
prison! Tell it to the families of the ladies he later raped and murdered here at
the shopping mall in Birmingham.
Almod: I do not have a child that commited a violent crime so I don’t know how I would feel, I know I would still love my son. I did have a family member that did so and YES he was guilty and deserved the death penalty. I think the laws of the land are more for the rights of the criminals not for the rights of the victims. The victims are left to pick up the pieces after the media and all of the trial is over. We have to continue living.
I think If I had a son had commited these acts I would love him and be there for him but be fully prepared to accept whatever the concequences are. TO be handed down by a jury of his peers. HOW CAN you fight for a person to go on death row and come back a couple years later and say OOPS, he doesn’t deserve to be on death row. I do not know the full details of the Gamble case but in ours I do and SAMRA MUST stay on death row. He was given that sentence and it should stand. PERIOD.
[...] Readers have sent email asking about “the missing D.A.” Forty-one of 42 district attorneys in the state approved a statement criticizing Attorney General Troy King for publicly taking a capital murder case from Shelby County D.A. Robbie Owens. (BTW, you may be interested in the analysis of this story by Phillip Rawls for AP.) [...]
I fished some comments out of the spam filter. There were a couple from Tara Jewell that went here that did not get posted before now. Not sure why. They are earlier in the comments here. I wish I knew how to prevent that. Glad that I found them, Tara.
I have on thing to say… Be VERY careful what you wish for. Again, it doesn’t matter if you aren’t the judge. It doesn’t matter if you didn’t sit on the jury. If you call for the death of another human being, you contribute to it. It doesn’t matter whether or not you pull the trigger. Try dealing with that years later. Whatever pieces you feel like you have to pick up now, it gets worse when you have to deal with that. I can’t even begin to describe the horror you will feel.
Laws protecting criminals… Yes those exist, and for good reason. If they didn’t, we’d be stuck in the days where lynch mobs ruled and innocent people died. A world where anyone could be searched or falsely incriminated by the government and held without trial or even indictment. Innocent people still die, because judges and juries are not infallible and not unbiased. But for a criminal to have MORE rights than a victim or the family of the victim? That is a tired old saying that just isn’t true. Never before have I seen the state parade a victim or his family around in shackles, incarcerate them against their will, put their lives in danger of prison fights, make them use the bathroom while under surveillance, shower en masse, and at times put them to death. The mythos that criminals have more rights than victims is nothing more than a thinly veiled gripe that the justice system doesn’t work the way that YOU want it to.
But what people don’t realize is that while these laws protect “criminals,” they are actually protecting YOU. Should one day you happen to find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time, you might come to appreciate those laws. People tend to overlook that because “I would never…” You might not, but you may sure as heck be convincingly blamed for it. Those laws protect EVERYONE– criminal and victim and anyone else. (After all, you’d rather catch the right person rather than just some random patsy, which is why there are laws for how the police can collect evidence and how trials can be run.)
All that aside… I still fail to see the reasoning that a man who never pulled the trigger should be sentenced to death, regardless as to the sentencing of the man who did.
[...] I have heard competing observations about how Troy King’s latest adventures will affect any gubernatorial aspirations he may have, and I would be interested to hear any other thoughts on that. [...]
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