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Read MorePosted by: Robert Fickman
Category: The Meaning of America by Robb Fickman
Friends-
Houston is lucky to have some top notch reporters who are interested in the truth. Houston Chronicle Columnist, Lisa Falkenberg, is one such reporter. She has a good moral compass and she is not afraid to report the truth. Not surprisingly, some folks in power would apparently prefer she leave the truth alone.
Ms. Falkenberg is currently reporting on our twisted grand jury system. ( See Houston Chronicle: Dec. 31, 2014. “Grand Jury Proceedings secret, but panels diversity shouldn’t be” )
After 31 years, I confess, I don’t think everyone is shooting straight with Ms. Falkenberg. In the above-referenced column, Ms. Falkenberg reports that the latest Houston grand jury that No-Billed a Shooting Cop, asked to have their names sealed.
I have no doubt that Lisa Falkenberg accurately reported what “authorities” told her. But, I wonder wherein did the idea actually originate for the grand jury to request that their names be sealed.
Restated, I doubt that the grand jury came up with the idea on their own to have their names sealed.
If I was a betting man, and I am, I would bet that the idea to have the grand jurors’ names sealed came from the DAO. If that is the case, the DAO wouldn’t want the public to know they wanted the grand jurors’ names sealed. That would make it look like the DAO had something to hide. (which they do).
If you are the DAO, and you have no-billed 121 consecutive cop shooting cases, you might prefer to let 121 sleeping Dogs lie. You might not want reporters looking at those 121 cases.
If you are the DAO, you might not want reporters asking questions that reveal those 121 no-bills, are no coincidence. If you are the DAO, You might not want reporters revealing the DAO largely orchestrated those 121 no-bills. If you are the DAO, You might want to hide your complicity in those 121 orchestrated no-bills. If you are the DAO, you might try to hide your complicity by promoting the “myth” that the DAO made “neutral” grand jury presentations on those 121 cases.
If you are the DAO, and you are promoting the “neutrality myth” , You might want to avoid any contradictory leaks. What better way to batten down the hatches then to convince the grand jury to ask to have their own names sealed. Am I cynical about these 121 No Bills? Yes.
What is the truth?
I don’t know.
I know what Common Sense tells me. Common Sense tells me that 121 No Bills smells like THE FIX IS IN.
Common sense tells me that the DAO is not, and never has been neutral on cop cases. Common sense tells me 121 consecutive no-bills were not coincidence. Common Sense tells me that 121 NO BILLS EVIDENCES THE DAO’s COMPLETE LACK OF NEUTRALITY. Common Sense tells me that 121 no-bills occurred and are still occurring because the DAO leans heavily in favor of the cops on these cases. Period.
That’s not right. It needs to end. Cops who shoot civilians, should not be accorded favoritism by those charged with investigating and prosecuting crimes. The No Bills will continue so long as the current system remains in place. Shame on everyone who is part of this sham. Shame on all of us.
Robb Fickman
Houston
The client, a Houston area medical assistant, was accused by her estranged husband of assaulting her in her family home. The defense showed that the complainant had a history of alcohol abuse and violence. The defense demonstrated that the police failed to conduct an adequate investigation of the initial charge, No charges should have ever been accepted.
The client believed to be facing potential Wire Fraud Charges related to SBA PPP loan applications. Investigation of applications for PPP loans and PPP forgiveness demonstrated that the Client had at all times acted in a lawful manner. Investigation demonstrated no fraud was committed by the client. Case closed.
Client was charged by Federal Indictment with making a social media post that threatened Malicious Damage and Destruction of a Building by Means of Fire and Explosives in violation of Federal law. The Defense showed that Client was a law-abiding citizen. The Defense further showed that the alleged threat was not made with any criminal intent.
The client, a public official with a long history of public service, was accused by a former girlfriend of engaging in non-consensual sexual relations. The Defense investigation and analysis showed through a detailed timeline that the allegation made absolutely no sense. Phone records, including calls and texts, were relied on to help establish an accurate timeline. The Defense met with law enforcement and reviewed a detailed package that exonerated the accused.
The client, a young Black male, was driving his car when police pulled him over for no apparent reason. It looked to be a profile stop. The client was accused of possessing a controlled substance in his vehicle. The Defense showed that there was no lawful basis for the police to stop the Client’s car. The Defense also showed that there was no lawful basis for the search of the Client’s car. It was a bad search, so the seized evidence was not admissible.
Client charged in Federal Indictment In “Operation Wrecking Ball” with 55 named co-defendants. Client faced seven charges. Client was charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine and Conspiracy to Engage in Money Laundering. Client was also charged with four counts of Distribution of Cocaine and one count of Money laundering.
Allegations involved client’s alleged use of his home to distribute cocaine. Government’s lengthy investigation involved numerous wiretaps, surveillance, video, pole cams, search warrants, vehicle stops and use of cooperating co-defendants.
Client went to trial with four remaining defendants. After a two-week trial, Judge granted Motion for Acquittal on four of the seven charges. Jury found Client Not Guilty of remaining three charges.
Client charged in Federal Court with two counts of Wire Fraud related to Five SBA EIDL loan applications. The Government alleged the client, a Houston professional, defrauded the Small Business Administration out of over $150,000. The Government also found the intended loss was over half a million dollars. The Client faced up to 20 years in prison on each count. The Defense investigated the case and negotiated a deal that included the Government not opposing a probation. The Federal Guideline calculation was for a prison sentence and the Probation Department recommended a prison sentence. Attorney Fickman submitted a 90 page Defense Sentencing Memorandum asking for Probation.
The client, a Houston area medical assistant, was accused by her estranged husband of assaulting her in her family home. The defense showed that the complainant had a history of alcohol abuse and violence. The defense demonstrated that the police failed to conduct an adequate investigation of the initial charge, No charges should have ever been accepted.
The client believed to be facing potential Wire Fraud Charges related to SBA PPP loan applications. Investigation of applications for PPP loans and PPP forgiveness demonstrated that the Client had at all times acted in a lawful manner. Investigation demonstrated no fraud was committed by the client. Case closed.
Client was charged by Federal Indictment with making a social media post that threatened Malicious Damage and Destruction of a Building by Means of Fire and Explosives in violation of Federal law. The Defense showed that Client was a law-abiding citizen. The Defense further showed that the alleged threat was not made with any criminal intent.
The client, a public official with a long history of public service, was accused by a former girlfriend of engaging in non-consensual sexual relations. The Defense investigation and analysis showed through a detailed timeline that the allegation made absolutely no sense. Phone records, including calls and texts, were relied on to help establish an accurate timeline. The Defense met with law enforcement and reviewed a detailed package that exonerated the accused.
The client, a young Black male, was driving his car when police pulled him over for no apparent reason. It looked to be a profile stop. The client was accused of possessing a controlled substance in his vehicle. The Defense showed that there was no lawful basis for the police to stop the Client’s car. The Defense also showed that there was no lawful basis for the search of the Client’s car. It was a bad search, so the seized evidence was not admissible.
Client charged in Federal Indictment In “Operation Wrecking Ball” with 55 named co-defendants. Client faced seven charges. Client was charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine and Conspiracy to Engage in Money Laundering. Client was also charged with four counts of Distribution of Cocaine and one count of Money laundering.
Allegations involved client’s alleged use of his home to distribute cocaine. Government’s lengthy investigation involved numerous wiretaps, surveillance, video, pole cams, search warrants, vehicle stops and use of cooperating co-defendants.
Client went to trial with four remaining defendants. After a two-week trial, Judge granted Motion for Acquittal on four of the seven charges. Jury found Client Not Guilty of remaining three charges.
Client charged in Federal Court with two counts of Wire Fraud related to Five SBA EIDL loan applications. The Government alleged the client, a Houston professional, defrauded the Small Business Administration out of over $150,000. The Government also found the intended loss was over half a million dollars. The Client faced up to 20 years in prison on each count. The Defense investigated the case and negotiated a deal that included the Government not opposing a probation. The Federal Guideline calculation was for a prison sentence and the Probation Department recommended a prison sentence. Attorney Fickman submitted a 90 page Defense Sentencing Memorandum asking for Probation.
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