Tragedy in Trial

I've been in my share of high-pressure jury trials, including two murder trials, and several trials involving sexual offenses.  It is a real burden to carry the weight of someone's life and freedom with you for days, months, even years.

So my heart goes out to everyone involved in the Adella Faye Patton murder trial.  My friend John Lewright, a very good trial attorney, defended her as she stood accused of murdering her boyfriend, Kevin Madison.  She was found guilty of second degree murder, then apparently took her own life before she could be sentenced.

So many things are lost in this type of situation.  Obviously, a family has grieved for Madison for years.  A family supported Patton, then lost her as well.  The couple had a mercurial relationship, and the only real question during the trial was whether Patton was justified in using deadly force as self-defense.

But there are many more casualties in this case.  Judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, detectives:  they are all questioning themselves today, all wondering what they could have seen, how one more layer of tragedy might have been avoided.

No one feels good about this tonight. There is no panacea.  Losing a jury trial is hard enough; losing the client as well must feel like hell.