Month: April 2014

Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, New Britain General Hospital, Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office and Florida District Two Medical Examiner’s Office.

Dr. Clark, an associate medical examiner with Florida District Two Medical Examiner’s Office, is licensed in both Florida and Georgia. Dr. Clark’s online resume shows that he “Specializes in Anatomic Pathology and Forensic Pathology.” In the 2011 double murder case, State of Florida vs. DeShon Thomas, Dr. Clark, who performed the autopsies of both victims, clearly committed Perjury. Dr. Clark did not change his opinion—Dr. Clark committed Perjury. Dr. Clark did not give the facts off of his own autopsy reports.  On October 16, 2013 instead of being honest, Dr. Clark chose to assist State Prosecutor Jack Campbell, whose dad—Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell has jurisdiction over the double murder investigation—wrongfully convict 20-year-old DeShon Thomas. DeShon Thomas, a Black male, was a 17-year-old freshman college student when he was charged with the murders.

DeShon Thomas’ case was plagued with conspiracy and the corrupt minds of Tallahassee, Florida’s Good Ol’ Boy Network. State Attorney Willie Meggs, Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell and his son State Prosecutor Jack Campbell lied to Judge Nina Ashenafi-Richardson in order to have DeShon arrested for the murders. The trio recruited a friend/ volunteer (Reserve Deputy Don Odham) to Judge Nina Ashenafi-Richardson as a Leon County Sheriff’s Detective on the case when in fact, Don Odham was not a detective on the case—Don Odham is not a Certified law enforcement agency—he was not qualified to be a detective. The full-time Certified lead detective on the case and her team of full-time Certified detectives/ deputies had not found sufficient probable cause to charge DeShon with the murders and had began investigating other leads. Don Odham was merely a disgraceful wanna-be cop, whose longtime friends (The Campbell Family) wanted a quick arrest and he was willing to make it happen where the others would not. DeShon had five attorneys—including one paid local attorney by the name of Gregory Cummings. While Mr. Cumming received a total of $29850 from DeShon’s mother over sixteen months, Mr. Cummings refused to depose Dr. Anthony Jose Clark. Meanwhile, Second District State Attorney Willie Meggs and State Prosecutor Jack Campbell refused to allow the District Two Medical Examiner’s Office to make the victims’ autopsy reports Public Record. After Mr. Cummings was fired by DeShon and his mother for unethical practice, DeShon’s case defaulted back to the court to appoint legal representation. Both court appointed attorneys filed Motions to Withdraw—the second attorney, Daren Shippy’s motion was denied.

Mr. Shippy filed a Memorandum with the courts claiming to have deposed Dr. Anthony Clark. However, the memo stated that both victims were deceased within 24 hours of Dr. Anthony Clark coming in contact with the bodies. Mr. Shippy, who’d already filed a court documents with false information, also refused to file the necessary court documents to make the victims autopsy reports Public Record.

After Dr. Clark’s trial testimony, DeShon’s mother, who a year earlier had received a few pages of the victims’ autopsy reports in an email, filed a complaint with the State of Florida Department of Health located in Tallahassee, Florida for having committed Perjury. Like other government agencies located in Tallahassee, Florida where this Good Ol’Boy Network has a stronghold, within days the State of Florida Department of Health stated in a letter that Dr. Clark had not committed Perjury. But when DeShon’s mother contacted the Florida Surgeon General’s Office, she received an email stating that the complaint filed with the Department of Health was being forwarded to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement—which is also located in Tallahassee, Florida.

Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell is seventy-one-years-old with over 50 years of working with local law enforcement agencies including the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. State Attorney Willie Meggs has held the Office of State Attorney since the early 1980s. Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell’s son, Jack Campbell, has been working with State Attorney Willie Meggs for over 10 years. Circuit Judge James C. Hankinson, the judge assigned to DeShon’s case, violated several of DeShon’s U.S. Constitutional Rights—Judge Hankinson also worked for State Attorney Willie Meggs during his career before becoming a Circuit Court Judge. There is more than enough evidence to show that local attorneys and former law enforcement officers feared this Good Ol’ Boy Network. Anyone who opposed them would suffer consequences.

Dr. Clark testified that he’s provided hundreds of trial testimonies. While it is unclear of how many of those testimonies he provided in Tallahassee, what is very clear is that in the case of State of Florida vs. DeShon Thomas, Dr. Clark committed Perjury.

In another case, State of Florida vs. George Zimmerman, in Sanford, FL Dr. Shiping Bao, an associate medical examiner with Volusia County, gave testimony regarding the autopsy that he (Dr. Bao) performed on 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. It’s been reported that shortly after Dr. Bao’s testimony, he (Dr. Bao) was fired. It has also been reported that Dr. Bao is claiming that the State of Florida purposely threw the case to cover up George Zimmerman having murdered Trayvon Martin.

While the State of Florida was quick to fire Dr. Shipping Bao, according to healthgrades.com, Doctor Anthony Jose Clark has No Board Actions against him.

The NAACP is just one of many Black organizations that “sold-out” a long time ago. Money is screaming in folks ears these days!!!!

Back during the fight for Civil Rights, many Black celebrities, athletes, pastors and so forth left money on the table in order to make some White folks acknowledge their racism and somewhat level the economic and social playing field. Martin Luther King Jr. donated ALL of his Nobel Peace Prize money $54000 (a heck of a lot back then) to the Southern Baptist Christian Church. Martin Luther King Jr. didn’t have his own news show or radio show–yet, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcom X and others made more things happen than any of these celebrity Black folks who claim to be representing the Black community today.

Yeah, Donald Sterling ran his mouth too much. But the man had always been racist–that wasn’t new news. What’s sad is those Black folks whose calling for his head as well as those that are being silent—simply because guess what, they can’t begin to scream what they’ve financially contributed for the Black Community–especially not on the level that Donald Sterling has contributed. Los Angeles is the home of many Black athletes, Black celebrities, Black high profile pastors, etc. How did Donald Sterling out do all of them in the eyes of the NAACP? Donald Sterling was up for an NAACP Lifetime Award—how bizarre is that? Is that not almost as bizarre as Strom Thurmond having a half Black daughter?

There is no way that I support racism in any form or fashion. However, I do listen to what White folks like Donald Sterling have to say. And honestly, some of the White folks like Donald Sterling that I’ve met—who is racist but believe that if they throw money to the Black community then everything is alright—well, in most cases the only reason why they believe that racism is ok is because Black folks in position to “take care of their own kind” don’t do much of anything to make things better for Black folks. The Donald Sterling’s doing what they do for Black folks are out of both Pity and Power.

Think about it—so what Blacks hold political positions. A Black politician did not introduce the so-called ‘warning shot’ bill that amended Florida’s ‘Stand Your Ground Law.’ The so-called ‘warning shot’ bill was sponsored by Senator Greg Evers, a Republican from Pensacola—a farmer/small businessman. Marissa Alexander will owe her freedom to a White man—a Republican/farmer/small businessman who attended Pensacola Junior College.

Now, don’t get me wrong—freedom is freedom—who cares who helps you get it—especially when the oppression was wrongfully brought about. And of course there’s no need to look over the person’s educational background when they’re making a wrong—right. However, a lot of Black politicians are highly educated. They hold degrees from four year state universities mostly in Political Science and Criminology. A lot of Black politicians have a long list of public service, affiliations, honors, awards, etc. Now, my question to you is—how do you really feel about Blacks representation of your community? Did you vote for them just because they are Black? Does their work and educational background fall in line with their job performance? I know for a fact that it’s a lot of White folks that feel sad about the way Blacks represent their communities or lack thereof. And that’s why most White folks do what they do in the Black communities—it’s mostly out of Pity and Power.

Black folks need to recognize that there’s more to holding political office than handing out backpacks containing scissors and crayons the Saturday before the start of the school year. There’s more to holding political office than providing turkey dinners for Thanksgiving to people who can buy their own turkey dinner with the foodstamps that they receive from the state. And there’s more to holding political office than giving out bikes at Christmas to people who already live in an overcrowded apartment. If Black folks—whether they be politician, celebrities or athletes—if Black folks really want to make this world a better place for everybody—especially themselves—then they need to partner with White folks and others to hold those accountable who wish to speak and act as if a person’s financial status (money) can oppress the Civil Rights of others. Many people died for a lot of us to have these Rights—not just Blacks. I was born in 1972—after the Civil Rights movement—however, I still grew up feeling discriminated against. But I know what I felt growing up doesn’t begin to compare to the pain that my 67-year-old Jewish friend felt growing up and having to deny that she is Jewish with her white skin color. So yeah, the Civil Rights Act is more than just Black folks.

Donald Sterling did not want his girlfriend posing with Black people or being affiliated with Black people—but if the L.A. Clippers were to win the NBA Championship—there’s no doubt that Donald Sterling would’ve smiled brightly—as he posed for photographers—ready to take limitless pictures with the entire L.A. Clippers team—which of course consists of—mostly Blacks.

Side Note: On October 18, 2013 after years of a case process plagued with corruption, my son was convicted on Two Counts of 1^st Degree Murder and Solicitation to Commit 1^st Degree Murder. Governor Rick Scott and Attorney General Pam Bondi refused to intervene despite the clear and concise unprecedented acts or inaction on my son’s case. (With Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell and his son State Prosecutor Jack Campbell working together on criminal cases—the stench was so overwhelming that all four court appointed attorneys filed Motions to Withdraw. I’m sure that my son’s case wasn’t the first case of the father and son team.) Had State Prosecutor Jack Campbell had the evidence necessary to prove that my son murdered two of his friends when my son was 17-years-old, then the evidence could’ve been presented to a jury by a 1^st year law school student—and the jury would’ve returned a guilty verdict. But State Prosecutor Jack Campbell didn’t have that. Instead State Prosecutor Jack Campbell and Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell recruited LIARS—people who withheld evidence and committed Perjury. How many teenagers are convicted of such a heinous crime of the murder of a pregnant young woman and a teenage boy—with evidence being withheld? Evidence such as the victims’ autopsy reports. My son requested to have the victims’ autopsy reports made public record—to no avail. The reason for withholding the victims’ autopsy reports—my son was at work—my son had alibis. I paid Criminal Defense Attorney Gregory Cummings $29850 and he refused to provide my son, myself and the Public with the victims’ autopsy reports. Little did I know that Gregory Cummings (who hustled me into hiring him) was playing a part in the conspiracy being headed up by State Prosecutor Jack Campbell. The victims’ autopsy reports were NEVER provided to my son—nor were they made Public record.  HYPOCRITES!!! State Attorney Willie Meggs, Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell and his son State Prosecutor Jack Campbell got their conviction of a Black teenager but only because of their LIES and DECEPTION. Their actions should have all Florida politicians—regardless of race and party affiliation feeling disgraceful.

For those who say that I’m not doing my son any favors by blogging about the corruption of Florida government officials. I say to you—that’s the problem—folks view the outcomes of our Judicial System as a “favor”. I’m not looking for anyone to do my son or my family any favors—I’m only asking for folks to do their job. When I hired Mr. Cummings—I hired him to do his job—the job that he said to have over 30 years of experience. Yes, all attorneys win and lose cases—but not all attorneys withhold evidence that can exonerate their clients. When Mr. Cummings failed to ethically do his JOB—my son and I fired him. When my son’s case defaulted back to the court to be assigned a court-appointed attorney—not all court appointed attorneys file false documents to avoid their client of receiving a favorable not guilty verdict—and withhold evidence. My son was 17-years-old when he was charged. My son was 20-years-old when he was convicted. It took a whole slew of adults to make that happen—but only by their LIES. State Attorney Willie Meggs, Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell, his son State Prosecutor Jack Campbell, Circuit Judge James C. Hankinson, Gregory Cummings—they all LIED—they all stole my money—money from my family—my Black family.

 

In the book, ‘I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings,’ written by Maya Angelou, there’s a chapter where Ms. Angelou tells of how in the 1930s, whenever something unlawful happened in town where a Black man was accused, she and her grandmother would have to hide her disabled uncle in a bin and stack potatoes on top of him. A mob of all White men were quick to put a Black man on their radar. (These mobs had little to no respect for the sheriff or his deputies.) Maya tells of how she and her grandmother didn’t have as much fear for the sheriff of their town—the sheriff was fully aware of Maya’s uncle’s disability—the crimes that had been committed could only have been committed by an able bodied man. Maya and her grandmother were in great fear of every Hot-headed ignorant White man who had an itch to lynch a male nigger.

In most high schools, before high school students graduate, English teachers assign their students to read, ‘The Diary of Anne Frank.’ The book tells about a teenage girl (Anne Frank) and her family’s struggles and fears to survive in the attic of a merciful German family in the 1940’s under Adolf Hitler’s reign. Under Hitler’s reign, Nazis set out to exterminate all Jewish people. Anne Frank and her family lost everything that they once owned and they were forced to live in fear for no other reason than their Jewish heritage. Every day for two years, Anne Frank, her family and the German family lived in fear of the Nazis.

October 16, 2013 was the third day of DeShon Rashard Thomas’ 2011 Double Murder and 2012 Solicitation to Commit 1^st Degree Murder Trial. DeShon Thomas, a Black male, was a full-time freshman at Tallahassee Community College and was working at Taco Bell when he was charged with double murder. On the third day of his trial, Florida State Prosecutor Jack Campbell (the son of Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell) called Don Odham to the witness stand to testify. Don Odham had previously been identified by Leon County District Attorney Willie Meggs, Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell and State Prosecutor Jack Campbell as a Leon County Sheriff’s Detective. Don Odham prepared the Summary of Offense and Probable Cause for Two Counts of 1^st Degree Murder that led to DeShon being charged with the murders. It wasn’t until Don Odham took to the stand as to when DeShon and his mother learned that Don Odham was a Reserve Deputy—a volunteer. Don Odham was not a full-time Certified experienced Leon County Sheriff’s Detective. Don Odham was nothing more than a Hot-headed White man with an itch to get a nigger wrongfully convicted. (It was noted in another situation by a former Leon County Deputy that Don Odham is a wealthy, close friend of Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell and State Prosecutor Jack Campbell. (What a friend would do for a friend?)) Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell had jurisdiction over the double murder investigation—Don Odham had no respect for the team of experienced full-time Certified Leon County Sheriff’s Detectives and Deputies. Don Odham teamed up with State Prosecutor Jack Campbell and set a conspiracy foundation.

DeShon had five attorneys and two circuit court judges on his case—all because of their attempt to conspire—to conceal the corruption that plagued DeShon’s case process. DeShon’s mother paid a Tallahassee defense attorney by the name of Gregory Cummings $29850 of $50000 in legal services to represent DeShon. When asked about Don Odham’s position with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, Mr. Cummings refused to give out any information. When it became clear that Mr. Cummings was practicing unethically—by refusing to disclose information that could exonerate DeShon, Mr. Cummings was fired by DeShon’s mother and DeShon. The court appointed attorneys that followed Mr. Cummings all refused to reveal any information about Don Odham or depose Don Odham and the key witness that Don Odham claimed to have given incriminating statements about DeShon. They also refused to provide DeShon with competent legal representation. In one instance, Defense Conflict Counsel Daren Shippy filed a subpoena with a fictitious name of a former Leon County Sheriff’s Deputy to avoid obtaining the deputy’s testimony—which may have been favorable on DeShon’s behalf. DeShon was convicted on October 18, 2013–still as of January 2014 the victims autopsy reports remain confidential–having never been made Public record as DeShon and his mother often inquired about.

On April 17, 2014 it was reported by the national media that Jewish people in East Ukraine were being order by Russians to list the property that they owned, pay fees, register and be issued special passports marking the confession of their faith. It was reported that if the Jewish people refused to cooperate they would face deportation and their assets confiscated. Some of the Jewish people referenced these orders as being a chilling echo of the Holocaust. Apparently, many Jewish people were so afraid that they went to their rabbis for help—not the Ukrainian Government.

In the United States of America, in Florida—in Tallahassee, Florida—who can Black people go to when private paid defense attorneys, court-appointed defense attorneys, State Attorney Willie Meggs, State Prosecutor Jack Campbell, Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell, Circuit Judge James C. Hankinson, Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford, Circuit Judge Charles Dodson and Leon County Judge Robert Wheeler conspire with a mob of Hot-headed White men—White men like Don Odham—who want to soothe an itch of wanting to be at the forefront of seeing a nigger—male child or otherwise— wrongfully convicted? Don Odham, had no respect for Melinda McBride—who was the more experienced, full-time Certified Black female lead detective on the case. Detective McBride and her team of experienced full-time detectives and deputies had not concluded that DeShon was the murderer. Yet, Don Odham had the full support of those who were elected by The People—who were supposed to be For The People—to uphold state and federal laws. And most importantly to exercise the United States Constitution.

The injustice that DeShon Thomas has been subjected to SHOULD NOT/ CANNOT happen to another family. And for those who set out to repeat the ugliness of American History and abroad—need to be immediately thrown out of office.

Tallahassee, FL—Who does that? Apparently, adults who hold positions of authority in Tallahassee do not have the mentality to be trusted with our kids as they transition into becoming young adults.

It’s AMAZING how it seems as though the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Florida Department of Health, and The Florida Bar can enforce state and federal laws in every city in Florida except Tallahassee. The Internet is packed with information—news is available 24 hours a day. When and if a sheriff breaks the law in Liberty County and is held accountable—then the same should apply for State Attorney Willie Meggs, Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell and his son State Prosecutor Jack Campbell.

On February 7, 2011 Leon County Judge Nina Ashenafi-Richardson approved a Summary of Offense and Two Counts of 1^st Degree Murder charging 17-year-old Tallahassee Community College Student DeShon Thomas with the murders of 20-year-old Laqecia Herring and her 17-year-old brother Sterling Conner Jr. Ms. Herring was twenty-one weeks pregnant at the time of her murder. Mr. Conner Jr. suffered with bipolar. About week after a team of full-time Certified Leon County Sheriff’s Deputies did not find sufficient evidence to charge DeShon with the murders, State Attorney Willie Meggs, Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell and his son State Prosecutor Jack Campbell elected Don Odham, a Leon County Sheriff’s Reserve Deputy, to prepare and present the Summary of Offense and Two Counts of 1^st Degree Murder charging DeShon with the murders. Both on court documents and in verbal communication, Don Odham, who in essence is a volunteer law enforcement officer, was presented to Judge Nina Ashenafi-Richardson as a Leon County Sheriff’s Detective. State Attorney Willie Meggs, Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell and his son State Prosecutor Jack Campbell lied to Judge Nina Ashenafi-Richardson and the “Public” in order to get DeShon charged and arrested with the murders.

For nearly three years, DeShon’s case was stagnant in the Leon County Courthouse under Circuit Judge James C. Hankinson—going nowhere. Five attorneys—one private, four court appointed—still nowhere. While Don Odham, a close, wealthy friend of the Campbells, is no longer with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, he never had to attest to the LIES that he’d put in the Summary of Offense and Two Counts of 1^st Degree Murder that he prepared. Don Odham was never subpoenaed for a deposition. No law enforcement authorities were deposed—no “key” witnesses were deposed. There was never an incriminating sworn deposition given about DeShon.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement received a written complaint regarding Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell allowing Don Odham to violate both DeShon and his mother’s Constitutional Rights before and after DeShon was charged with the murders. In December 2013, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement stated that Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell’s lies and his decision to allow his friend Don Odham to act outside of the scope of a Reserve Deputy and violate DeShon and his mother’s Constitutional Rights did not breach the Public’s Trust or any other violations.

Five attorneys failed to provide DeShon with the victims’ autopsy reports. When the people (the Public) contacted the District Two Medical Examiner’s Office to obtain copies—they were told that the State Attorney’s Office (Willie Meggs and Jack Campbell) did not allow for the autopsy reports to be made Public Record. The week of October 14, 2013 DeShon went on trial being represented by court-appointed Conflict Counsel Daren Shippy without ever reviewing the victims’ autopsy reports. The victims’ autopsies were performed by Dr. Anthony Clark. Dr. Clark committed Perjury—LIED—about his findings versus what he’d reported at the time of the autopsies. When DeShon’s mother first reported Dr. Anthony Clark’s Perjured testimony to the Florida Department of Health, instead of Department of Health investigators taking immediate action against Dr. Clark, DeShon’s mother was threatened about discussing confidential information (even after DeShon’s conviction—the victims’ autopsy reports remained confidential). In addition, the letter stated that Dr. Clark did not commit any violations.

Shortly after DeShon was charged with the murders, DeShon’s mother met Tallahassee Criminal Defense Attorney Gregory Cummings. Mr. Cummings degraded several Tallahassee attorneys and harassed DeShon’s mother to try to get her to hire him After DeShon had been in the Leon County Jail for about a month without an attorney—DeShon’s mother finally hired Mr. Cummings. Mr. Cummings hustled DeShon’s mother to hire him. However, Mr. Cummings’ hustle did not support his actions after the Contract for Service was signed.

After sixteen months of Mr. Cummings supposedly representing DeShon—DeShon’s mother learned that Mr. Cummings had not done anything to build a defense for DeShon—no depositions, no hearings to present evidence or anything thereof. State Prosecutor Jack Campbell had received about four or five continuances for trial—all granted by Circuit Judge James C. Hankinson. DeShon’s mother had paid Mr. Cummings $29850 of the $50000 in attorney fees. Mr. Cummings was eventually fired.

Both DeShon and his mother filed complaints with The Florida Bar against Mr. Cummings. DeShon and his mother learned that DeShon did in fact have an attorney during the 30 days that he sat in jail—unaware of his attorney and case events that were taking place in Circuit Judge Hankinson’s courtroom—unbeknowest to DeShon and his mother, a conspiracy foundation against DeShon was being prepared. As a matter of fact, Mr. Cummings knew that DeShon had an attorney—and never told DeShon or his mother. How did that happen? Circuit Judge Hankinson withheld the information from the Leon County Clerk of Courts—allowing Mr. Cummings time to execute his hustle. Mr. Cummings and Circuit Judge Hankinson cut the throat of Tallahassee Defense Attorney Baya Harrison—who was unaware as to having been court-appointed to DeShon’s case. While Mr. Cummings violated several of The Florida Bar Rules—Rules of Professional Conduct, including Rule 7.3: Direct Contact with Prospective Clients (b)(2) the solicitation involves coercion, duress or harassment. The Florida Bar responded saying that Mr. Cummings did not violate any of their rules.

After DeShon’s conviction, DeShon’s mother filed a complaint with the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission against Circuit Judge James C. Hankinson for violating a number of Canon Rules, including Canon 1: A JUDGE SHALL UPHOLD THE INTEGRITY AND INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY.

—an independent and honorable judiciary is indispensable to justice in our society. And a judge should participate in establishing, maintaining, and enforcing high standards of conduct, and shall personally observe those standards so that the integrity and independence of the judiciary may be preserved. This provision of this code should be constructed and applied to further than objective. The Judicial Commission responded stating that Circuit Judge Hankinson did not violate any Canon Rule.

While FSU is responding with their version of a logical explanation to The New York Times allegations that it mishandled Jameis Winston’s rape allegations, those within Florida’s Judicial System and those in charge of governing those within Florida’s Judicial System seem to be exercising state and federal laws in every Florida city—EXCEPT Tallahassee.

On February 7, 2011 when seventeen-year-old DeShon Thomas was charged with Two Counts of 1^st Degree Murder, DeShon and his mother waited patiently for Circuit Judge James C. Hankinson to appoint DeShon a Conflict Attorney after The Office of the Public Defender informed DeShon and his mother that they were no longer able to provide DeShon representation due to having represented the male victim in the murders.

(DeShon, who was a full-time freshman at Tallahassee Community College and worked no less than 35 hours a week at Taco Bell, had been in the Leon County Jail since February 2, 2011 for 5 pots of soil with marijuana stems sprouting from them that were located in 21-year-old Trentin Ross’ bedroom closet. According to reports, Mr. Ross told detectives that he, himself–watered and turned the lights on over the plants—but never clarified who put the plants in his one and only bedroom closet in the entire apartment. Leon County Sheriff’s Detectives already had DeShon pegged as the murderer in their double homicide case in which their investigation began on January 27, 2011. Both DeShon and Mr. Ross were charged with Cultivation of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. In the Cultivation of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia case, DeShon was represented by the Public Defender’s Office in Juvenile Court. The State Attorney’s Office decided to Direct File those charges—which led DeShon to being charged as an adult—and transported to the Leon County Jail. It is believed that while DeShon was in the Leon County Jail waiting to comply with GPS Monitoring, a fake detective by the name of Don Odham and State Prosecutor Jack Campbell used Trentin Ross’ scorned heart, fear of incarceration, and ignorance of the law (in which detectives did not have a Search Warrant for Mr. Ross’ bedroom—detectives were aware that DeShon was not on Mr. Ross’ rental lease of the one-bedroom apartment) to give several incriminating statements about DeShon.)

After thirty days of DeShon not having an attorney, on March 12, 2011, DeShon’s mother signed a Contract for Service with Criminal Defense Attorney Gregory Cummings as DeShon’s private paid attorney. DeShon’s mother and Mr. Cummings had been introduced and physically met weeks earlier. At the time of their meeting, Mr. Cummings told DeShon’s mother that he was a Conflict Attorney, however, DeShon’s mother did not completely understand the burden of ethics that Conflict Attorneys maybe up against when it comes to representing one client in a private capacity versus representing hundreds of Indigent clients (plus other benefits—like a possible all expense paid trip to the Virgin Islands to interview a character witness). So clearly, in DeShon’s mother’s opinion, Conflict Attorneys have more to gain by representing Indigent clients than representing clients in a private capacity. The State of Florida have deeper pockets—residual income and a steady workflow (in most cases Conflict Attorneys receive less than $5000 per Indigent client). The $29850 paid to Mr. Cummings by DeShon’s mother over sixteen months (before firing Mr. Cummings for unethical practice, etc.)—didn’t put a dent in what Mr. Cummings had received from the State of Florida as Mr. Cummings, State Prosecutor Jack Campbell and Circuit Judge James C. Hankinson had at least a 10 year history of working high profile cases together.

DeShon’s mother is not condemning Conflict Attorneys who serve Tallahassee or the other cities within the 2^nd Judicial Circuit. DeShon’s mother is simply informing parents to be aware of attorneys who receive compensation through private and public funds.

Please click the link below to see a list of Conflict Attorneys within the 2^nd Judicial Circuit.

http://2ndcircuit.leoncountyfl.gov/conflict/directory.php