YEAR IN REVIEW 2018-Trials and Other Assorted Fun

The following is a summary of my trials of 2018.  It was a grueling year with many challenges.  I wish to thank all those who assisted, specifically, investigator Mark Gillespie and my co-counsels and second chairs.  It was quite a memorable year.

TRIAL #1
State of Texas v. Tim Parlin
Capital Murder
331st District Court
Punishment Range:  Automatic Life
Co-counsel:  Russ Hunt

CLICK HERE to see this case on CBS 48 Hours

TRIAL #2
State of Texas v. Robert Thomas
Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon-Habitual
390th District Court
Punishment Range:  25-99/Life
Second Chair:  Eloisa Ontiveros

TRIAL #3
State of Texas v. Dustin Clark
Aggravated Robbery x 3, Impersonating a Public servant, 
Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity x 7
331st District Court
Punishment Range:  5-99/Life
Second Chair:  Richard Collins

TRIAL #4 & #5  (Mistrial and Trial)
State of Texas v. David Diaz
Murder-Habitual
427th District Court
Punishment Range: 25-99/Life
Second Chair:  Raphael Hernandez

TRIAL #6
State of Texas v. William Black
Aggravated Sexual Assault-Habitual
450th District Court
Punishment Range:  25-99/Life
Second Chair:  Todd Dudley

TRIAL DOGS 2014: ACCOLADES AND RECOGNITION

AFTER LONG DELIBERATIONS AND CONTENTIOUS DEBATE, THE COMMITTEE FINALLY VOTED THE TRAVIS COUNTY AWARDS:

BEST QUOTE OF 2014

"All we ever wanted was Vicki's body, but he [pointing at Defendant] won't tell us where she is! Closing argument by Jana Duty in Williamson County cold case murder, commenting on the Defendant's right to silence.

HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR AWARD
Elsie Craven
2 successful Hearings in obtaining political asylum

TRIAL DOGS OF 2014
[For those who went the distance.]
Brad Urrutia*-7 Felony Jury Trials
Jackie Wood-6 Felony Jury Trials
Victoria Winkler-5 First Chair Felony Jury Trials/5 Second Chair Felony Trials
Marc Chavez*-5 First Chair Felony Jury Trials/2 Second Chair Jury Trials

HONORABLE MENTION
Mindy Montford
Russ Hunt

LA ANTORCHA DE JUSTICIA AWARD
[Most Intimidating Defense Lawyer to Prosecutors]
Raymond Espersen

BEST DRESSED MEN
[Those who show style under fire.]
Lucio Del Toro
Novert Morales
Russ Sablatura
Ben Blackburn
Todd Dudley
Jeremy Sylestine
Joe Fredrick
Brad Urrutia

WORK HORSE(S) OF THE YEAR
[For those who enable their bosses to take those exotic vacations.]
Robert Smith (Law Offices of David Chambers)
Mike Burke* (Peek and Toland)
Jesus Salinas (Law Office of Jon Evans)

WORST DRESSED LAWYERS
[Having trouble distinguishing lawyers and clients?]
Anyone who wears baggy shirts, bluejeans, tennis shoes, clogs, or sandals in a court of law.

BEST BEARDS
Chris Baugh
Mike Burke*
Marc Chavez*

BEST SHOES
Jana Ortega
Yvonne Patton
McKinley Melancon
Monica Flores
Diana Buss
Adam Reposa

BEST INNOVATION TO PRACTICE LAW
The AMP website (includes nearly everything you need to be a paperless office).

MOST HYPOCRITICAL DEFENSE LAWYERS
Those defense lawyers that judge other defense lawyers qualifications to be on CAPDS when they themselves couldn't qualify to be on the list(s)(Hey those on the Review Committee, you know who you are).

BEST RESTROOM(S) IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE CENTER
Public Restrooms on the second floor.  They are roomy and have a chair to allow continued plea negotiations with prosecutors without interruption if necessary.

SPECIAL AWARDS
Charles Popper-The Del Valle Visitation Award for most frequent visitation of clients.
[Repeat Winner]
Steve Brand-El Abogado Etico Award for principled decisions in the face of adversity.

*Denotes Multiple Winner

The Committee is a highly secretive cabal and the process is classified.

NOTE:  The author's Year In Review is in the post below