Kentucky Law Review

Lexington Herald-Leader: "Woman charged in shooting death of her husband, a London lawyer, is acquitted"

Story from By Bill Estep — bestep@herald-leader.com at the Lexington Herald Leader:

 

A judge on Friday ordered the acquittal of a woman charged with murder in the shooting death of her husband, a lawyer in London, according to one of her attorneys.

Judge Robert McGinnis said there was insufficient evidence for a reasonable juror to conclude Lisa Gilliam killed her husband, said her attorney, Scott T. Foster of Somerset.

McGinnis issued a directed verdict of acquittal, which is rare in a murder case, said Foster, who represented Gilliam with attorney Robert Norfleet.

A jury could not reach a decision in the case a month ago, though most jurors reportedly wanted to acquit Gilliam.

Gilliam, of Pulaski County, was charged with killing Larry Gilliam, 59, at his law office in downtown London in January 2011.

Larry Gilliam died of a gunshot wound to the chest.

Lisa Gilliam's defense was that her husband killed himself.

Testimony at her trial indicated Larry Gilliam had taken money he was supposed to hold for clients, Foster said.

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2012/10/19/2377737/woman-charged-in-shooting-death.html#storylink=cpy

Attorney publicly reprimanded by SCOKY for involvement in money laundering scheme

From the News Journal.

To read the complete Supreme Court decision, click here

A Knox County official received a public reprimand by Kentucky's highest court late last week.

In a decision returned on Thursday, the Kentucky Supreme Court publicly reprimanded Knox County Attorney Charley Greene Dixon Jr. The Court overturned an Inquiry Commission's July 2008 decision, which found Dixon not guilty.  The charges involved a money laundering scheme which sent former Knox County Judge/Executive Raymond Smith to prison.

***

In their ruling, the Court stated: "Dixon's actions had the effect of facilitating Raymond Smith's money laundering scheme. Two of the checks were drawn on Knox County. So Dixon's actions had the effect of defrauding the county that Dixon represented as county attorney," the court stated in their decision."

In July 2008, Dixon was investigated by the Inquiry Commission and found not guilty of misconduct regarding his attorney escrow account.

The commission alleged Dixon received checks from businesses owned by brothers Raymond and Matt Smith, put the checks in his escrow account, then distributed the cash value of the checks to both Smiths' wives at the instruction of Raymond Smith, according to the document

However, the Kentucky Supreme Court decided to review the trial commissioner's decision. Four years later, the Court has disagreed with the not guilty decision by the Commission.

The court found Dixon was guilty of violating SCR 3.130-1.15(b) by receiving more than $85,000 in checks made payable to specific businesses, making no effort to notify those businesses that he had received those funds, then paying the funds to a third party, the decision stated.

Smith laundered money through various accounts, including Dixon's escrow account, according to the document.

* * *

As part of the decision, Dixon was ordered to pay all costs associated with the disciplinary proceeding, which totaled $1,870.67.

"It's been reviewed on every level and I've been cleared," Dixon said.
 

CRIMINAL LAWYERS IN LOCAL NEWS: "Butler and Dathorne have tackled high-profile cases -- and won"

I try to post all positive stories on Louisville and Kentucky lawyers, whether personal injury attorneys, criminal lawyers, or just doing good stuff.  Here is one by Andrew Wolfson on the "Dream Team" of Dathorne and Butler.  But do they have to look so tuff in their photo?  Just kidding, guys. 

From the Courier Journal: 

"Butler and Dathorne have tackled high-profile cases -- and won"

"Alex Dathorne and Brian Butler have won defense verdicts for some of the biggest cases in recent years, including the Jason Stinson trial. The two now face a challenge of the defense of Michael Bishop, the man charged with shooting 12-year-old Jacob Eberle in the back as the boy and other children were running from Bishop's house after ringing his doorbell as part of a game."

See, also the following story on one of the Dream Team's current criminal cases in the news:

"Michael Bishop seeks delay in trial over Glenmary shooting of child

Defense attorneys for Michael Bishop, the man charged with shooting and wounding a 12-year-old boy in the Glenmary neighborhood, will ask a judge on Monday to delay his March 5 trial, saying a plea agreement may soon be reached.

From the Courier Journal: Bill Sharp an ACLU attorney in Louisville says Jailing Amish in Kentucky 'unnecessary'

From the Courier Journal: 

Jailing Amish in Kentucky 'unnecessary' lawyer says

Bill Sharp, an American Civil Liberties Union attorney in Louisville, "representing a group of Amish men says it was “unnecessary” for a western Kentucky judge to send the men to jail for refusing to pay recent traffic fines when they have a case on appeal to the Kentucky Supreme Court."

NOTE:  Is it me or does it seems courage of convictions with some bright moments for Kentucky lawyers and judges keep popping up in the news lately.  First, Judge Shepherd goes to bat for abused children and takes a stand against the state, and now we have Louisville, Kentucky lawyer taking on the state regarding the traffic laws and Amish buggies.  A second tip of the hat today.

However, another story in the Courier-Journal presents a contrasting concern which places the safety of children to the forefront.  Remember, two separate issues in the story above - the appeal of the substantive traffic charges and fines vs. incarceration pending the appeal. 

5 Amish children escape injury when buggy hit

Related Links of stories posted at the CJ

• 5 Amish children escape injury when buggy hit
• Amish to appeal buggy case to Kentucky Supreme Court
• Amish man convicted, won't display safety triangle
• Kentucky Supreme Court to hear Amish appeals
• Kentucky convicts 5 Amish men for not displaying orange triangles

 

Lawyers: "Attorney Craig Greenberg named president of 21c Museum Hotels"

From the Courier Journal: 

Attorney Craig Greenberg named president of 21c Museum Hotels

Attorney Craig Greenberg has been named to the new position of president of 21c Museum Hotels, the company announced Monday. Greenberg's previous title with 21c had been vice chairman.

"Jefferson County clerk and office face lawsuit" From the Courier Journal:

From the Courier Journal: 

Jefferson County clerk and office face lawsuit

A former employee of the Jefferson County Clerk's office has filed suit against County Clerk Bobbie Holsclaw and the office, claiming she was wrongfully terminated after she complained about being sexually harassed and reported inappropriate activity.

" MSD severs ties with longtime board attorney Larry Zielke after critical audit" From the Courier Journal:

From the Courier Journal: 

MSD severs ties with longtime board attorney Larry Zielke after critical audit

The Metropolitan Sewer District board on Monday moved to sever ties with its longtime private attorney, Larry Zielke, who according to a blistering state audit released last month had amassed too much authority over the public institution.

From the Courier Journal: "Rep. Owens to receive 2012 Freedom Award from city"

From the Courier Journal:

Rep. Owens to receive 2012 Freedom Award from city

Darryl T. Owens, now in his fourth term as the 43rd District state representative and a former Jefferson County commissioner, is the 2012 recipient of Louisville’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Award.

Owens, 74, a Democrat who is chairman of the Jefferson County legislative delegation, was chosen for the award by Mayor Greg Fischer. Fischer spokesman Phil Miller said Fischer made the choice from among nominees suggested by his staff and some community leaders.

The award will be presented to Owens on Sunday during the “Keepers of the Dream” community arts celebration, which is dedicated to King. The event is free and open to the public and will be at 5 p.m. in Whitney Hall at the Kentucky Center at Sixth and Main streets. The celebration will feature musical and theatrical presentations.

Click on linked heading above for the rest of the post.

Louisville Lawyers: " Greenebaum Doll & McDonald to merge with Indianapolis firm"

From Courier Journal:

Greenebaum Doll & McDonald to merge with Indianapolis firm

One of Louisville’s largest law firm, Greenebaum Doll & McDonald, is merging with a slightly bigger firm in Indianapolis, although in a joint announcement, the two call it a marriage of “equals.”The new firm will be known as Bingham Greenebaum Doll when the combination takes effect Jan. 2.

Click on linked heading above for the rest of the post.

Lawyers: "Chesley: Delay disbarment process"

From Courier Journal:

Chesley: Delay disbarment process

Cincinnati lawyer Stan Chesley has asked the Kentucky Supreme Court to delay considering his disbarment for his role in the fen-phen scandal so his lawyers can investigate why the Kentucky Bar Association's chief disciplinary lawyer was fired earlier this