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THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
December 23-29, 2009 Page A-3
Prime Politics
All The Politics That Matter to You
In Defense: The fight for justice continues
By Ron Scott
of the system for those who cannot afford it. I
felt it necessary to speak for the voiceless and
On Monday, U.S. Congressman John Con-
faceless individuals not at the conference who
yers held a Judiciary Committee briefing, “So-
find themselves pushed onto a bloated court
lutions to the Indigent Defense Crisis.” There,
docket like ants in an anthill.
lawyers, judges, members of the defense bar,
advocates, and victims of a system that has
Where are the law enforcement officials? I
denied adequate defense to many assembled to
asked, who with compliant prosecutors bring
try to find a way for “Pookie and Ray-Ray” to
cases to the courts much better handled in a
stay out of jail.
non-judicial mediation where restorative jus-
tice should instead be the goal. I also empha-
They are, after all, overrepresented in the ju-
sized that there are large amounts of money
dicial system. Approximately one of nine Afri-
given to law enforcement agencies for multi-ju-
can-American men is in prison, and the figures
risdictional task forces to combat “drugs, guns
are not much better for Hispanic men.
and gangs.” “Some officers,” I said, “will create
Conyers called the briefing to secure tes-
‘drugs, guns and gangs’ where they don’t exist,
timony to support Michigan State House Bill
so that the money can continue to flow.”
5676 to reform public defense in this country,
I like what Congressman Conyers said —
and to seek comparable national legislative
that justice must not be predicated on econom-
proposals. The morning session was moderat-
ic circumstances and that government has the
ed by Dennis W. Archer, former Detroit mayor,
opportunity to provide justice for anyone at any
Michigan Supreme Court Justice and former
time, regardless of their economic condition.It
president of the American Bar Association. In
was mentioned at the conference that the bulk
the afternoon, the Judiciary Committee of the
of grant money from the Justice Department
Michigan State House of Representatives held a
goes to law enforcement agencies, and less
hearing on the same topic.
than 1 percent of those dollars goes towards
As I walk the streets of Detroit, spending
prevention and defense. That is a travesty.
time in the 36th District Court or the Frank
I couldn’t help leaving the meeting feeling
Murphy Hall of Justice, I find numerous attor-
that the next round of discussions should be
neys working as house or assigned counsel,
John Conyers
Dennis Archer held somewhere near Mack and Bewick, or Wy-
Ron Scott speaks.
Panel members.
rushing through the dockets to try to give a few
come the missteps of the now-infamous Detroit they are not getting it. Now, we in the Detroit
minutes to persons without the ability to pur-
crime lab. Sitting in the front row listening to Coalition Against Police Brutality are seeing
oming and Grand River, where the people who
chase a lawyer. These persons invariably find
him was the sister of Eddie Joe Lloyd, who cases where individuals who have been police
are confronted with the prospect of going to
themselves locked up, absent the intervention
was forced to confess to a murder and rape he brutality victims are now being charged with
prison can testify on their own behalf for their
of faith, fate, or officers or witnesses who fail to
didn’t commit and spent 17 years of his life in assaulting the very officer who may have as-
own freedom.
show up. In Michigan, these lawyers make no
prison. After being cleared with DNA evidence, saulted them. These individuals have virtually
We have to do better.
more than they did in 1967 to provide defense
Lloyd was released in 2002 and died two years no resources to mount a legal defense.
Ron Scott serves as spokesperson for the
to indigent clients.
later.
At the event, I was compelled to make a
Detroit Coalition Against Police Brutality. The
The director of the National Innocence Proj-
There are far too many Eddie Joe Lloyds. statement to support House Bill 5676 and the
Coalition’s radio show, “Fighting for Justice,”
ect, Barry Scheck, emphasized that he had
They are in court every day. Our country guar- Michigan Campaign for Justice in their efforts
can be heard Sundays at 10 a.m. on WDTW
spent a lot of time in Michigan fighting to over-
antees them the right of effective counsel, and to provide adequate legal defense at every level
1310 a.m.
Firebrand Judge Mathis
challenges EMU students
SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE
after that. “When somebody closes
It’s a difficult world, with
“So, amidst the worst of
the door of opportunity in your
face, you just kick it down,”
the worst job market since the
times, you have the opportu-
said Mathis, who was awarded
1930s, Judge Greg Mathis told
nity to guide our country out
an honorary degree in public
Eastern Michigan University
of darkness and, like others of
service.
graduates during commence-
your generation, lead us into
ment activities in Ypsilanti.
the light,” Mathis said. EMU president Sue Martin
welcomed the new graduates,
But the good news is
Along with his words,
and noted the sacrifice fami-
that young people can make
Mathis’ personal story in-
lies often make to help stu-
a dent in world culture and
spired students. He overcame
dents reach their goals.
business and even dominate
a rough upbringing on De-
in today’s fast-paced society.
troit’s streets to attend EMU, “Eastern Michigan is proud
You need patience, determina-
work in Detroit city politics, of its students,” she said.
tion and preparation, Mathis
and later earn a law degree at “You are independent, smart,
said during his inspirational
the University of Detroit. He and worked hard for your edu-
speech.
went on to national fame with cation.”
his popular daytime TV show.
Mathis spoke with power
Student body president
and conviction before an en-
Mathis urged students to Regina Royan urged graduates
thusiastic crowd of thousands
follow his example of perse- to savor the moment, and to JOHN FREEMAN (left) talks with host Bankole Thompson.
of graduates and their families
verance, such as when he note how far they have come
Sunday, Dec. 19, at the EMU
waited three days outside the during all the days of debating
Convocation Center. He cited
office door for an audience the merits of certain majors,
Ex-assistant U.S. Attorney on
tennis stars Venus and Serena
with Detroit City Councilman and even where to park.
Williams, religious leader Joel
Clyde Cleveland. He earned
Osteen and President Barack
that job, but later had to fight
“Whatever your journey has
‘Center Stage’ this week
Obama as examples of people
again, when his law license
been, we all have two things in
who quickly made their mark
was withheld for three years,
common,” she told the gradu-
after college graduation and
based on what he’d done as a
ates. “We are all Eagles, and we
With the mounting federal prosecutor John Freeman, plea deals, etc. The interview
leaving here with much
moved dramatically forward
delinquent teenager.
are all
investigation into corruption who left the U.S. Attorney’s will follow a roundtable with
more than an education.”
at Detroit City Hall, this week’s Office in Detroit two years newly elected Detroit City
edition of “Center Stage with ago to enter private practice. Council member Rev. Andre
Bankole Thompson” on WADL He will discuss the nuances Spivey and outgoing member
TV 38 will feature an exclusive of federal prosecution, why Sheila Cockrel. The show will
interview with former federal some defendants are taking air Saturda, Dec 26, at 1 p.m.
Riddle faces assault charges
Sam Riddle, the embattled called him a danger to society, arraigned on a charge of pos-
political consultant, who al- saying he cocked the gun and session of marijuana. At press
ready faces federal charges pointed it. Riddle must remain time she was set to be trans-
in the $1.2 billion Synagro on a GPS tether and stay away ported to Roseville, where she
sludge-hauling contract scan- from Waters, with whom he is wanted on charges of em-
dal, is now also facing feloni- shared a townhouse. bezzlement.
ous assault charges.
Riddle will be released if he Riddle is due to go to trial
According to reports, Rid- posts $2,500 or 10 percent of in January in the Synagro
dle’s girlfriend, former State his bond. matter, and is currently free
Rep. Mary Waters, alleges on a $10,000 unsecured per-
that Riddle pulled a shotgun
If convicted of the assault
sonal bond in that case.
on her when she found him
charge, Riddle could face up
with another woman and got a
to four years in prison, plus He and Waters also face
camera.
another two years for using a trial on charges they bribed a
firearm to commit a felony. former Southfield city council-
Magistrate Renee McDuf-
fee has set a $25,000 bond for
The woman with Riddle,
man in connection with the re-
Riddle at his arraignment and
TaKesha Washington, was
location of a pawn shop.
Elected officials and political candidates
can send information regarding issues to
Judge Greg Mathis
bthompson@michronicle.com
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