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PART TWO - Debate - Houston and Henry County District Attorney race

Rickey Stokes

Viewed: 3660

Posted by: RStokes
Date: Feb 12 2016 6:38 PM

Election Day is March 1 for Houston - Henry County District Attorney.


The current District Attorney, Doug Valeska is not seeking re-election.


Three candidates:  Pat Jones, Gary Maxwell, Arthur Medley


PART TWO OF SERIES


HOUSTON – HENRY COUNTY:     A local TV station and the Wiregrass Young Republicans held a debate at Troy University tonight in the race for Houston and Henry County District Attorney.


The three candidates fielded questions from the moderators for one hour.


DESCRIBE YOUR EXPERIENCE TO PROSECUTE CAPITAL MURDER CASES SINCE THEY ARE MORE COMPLEX, AND HOW TO GET THEM TO TRIAL:   


Jones:    have not tried any capital murder cases. However, have never backed away from cases. There are two phases to capital murder cases. Jones described that he offers the fortitude and determination not to back away from a challenge. Jones said that the District Attorney needs to be the prosecutor on the most terrible cases and he will be the lead attorney in those cases.


Medley:    “ Sorry, do not need on the job training, these are the worst cases”.  Medley has tried some cases or been in the second chair with Doug Valeska prosecuting. Medley said that currently, as a defense attorney, he has been appointed to three capital murder cases. Medley said that gives him experience on both sides of the cases, both prosecution and defense. Medley said that would give him a perspective other candidates do not have.


Maxwell:  “At last count have been involved in 40 capital murder cases”.  Maxwell said that he has sat with Doug Valeska, with another prosecutor, and alone in the prosecution of capital murder cases. Maxwell said two capital murder cases he prosecuted by himself and obtained convictions on both.  Maxwell said that Judges in this circuit always appoint two defense attorney’s to capital murder cases. Maxwell then said that Arthur Medley lost a capital murder case.


That drew a prompt response from Arthur Medley.


Medley:  “ I lost it because you and Doug gave it to me”. Medley indicating that Valeska and Maxwell knew the case could not be successfully prosecuted.


Maxwell quickly fired back to Medley, “ he ( Maxwell ) never assigned cases to prosecutors, that was the role of Doug Valeska.


Maxwell also commented that Arthur Medley was “Chief Trial Attorney” because he ( Medley ) begged Valeska to be Chief Trial Attorney.


Medley denied that he begged Valeska, commenting that Valeska saw his talent as a good prosecutor.


DO YOU BELIEVE IN THE DEATH PENALTY?


Maxwell:      Yes, believe in the death penalty. But before it is sought, the law is to be reviewed because it is clear what constitutes the death penalty. Certain aggravating circumstances outweigh mitigating circumstances in order to seek the death penalty.


THE HOST THEN INTERRUPTED, ASKING IF YOU BELIEVE IN THE DEATH PENALTY HOW VIGOROUS WILL IT BE PURSUED.


Maxwell:     Capital Murder cases take a while for them to be developed.  During that time everyone should understand the facts, know what mitigating and aggravating facts are. Maxwell said he would call the prosecution staff in, brain storm the case, and see what the staff thinks of the facts of the case.


Jones:      Said he would go after the death penalty, coupled with the concept the victim’s family desires. Jones said sometimes victim’s families do not want to be put through a death penalty trial and all of the appeals process. Jones made it clear that he had no reservations to go after the death penalty.


Medley:    Is Arthur Medley for the death Penalty?  Yes.  Medley said “ we don’t use it quick enough”.  Medley went on to say that his personal opinion does not matter, the victim’s family opinion is number 1. The family of the victim guides what is done. Medley said that sometimes a victim’s family is opposed to the death penalty for many reasons, to include religious convictions.  Medley made accusations the current administration put their own feelings ahead of the victim’s feelings and that is a reason he left employment with the District Attorney and sought election as District Attorney.  Medley said the victim’s families wishes were to be the primary factor and to prosecute for the death penalty over a victim’s families wish re-victimized the family. Medley commented to such a case. He said that Circuit Court Judge Larry Anderson picked up on the families wishes and sentenced the defendant to Life Without Parole and not the death penalty. Medley said to go against the victim’s family was a black eye for justice.


THE SUPREME COURT HAS RULED THAT THE DEATH PENALTY CAN NOT BE SOUGHT FOR JUVENILE OFFENDERS. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS? 


Medley:      Understands the reasons of the Supreme Court ruling, but a juvenile convicted of capital murder does not need to be back on the street again. Medley said he would protest a juveniles release if came up for parole after being convicted of capital murder.


Jones:        Said that he agreed with Arthur Medley on this issue. Jones stressed that the juvenile offender did not need to be back on the street if convicted. Jones commented about Mrs. Riley, founder of VOCAL who stood with victim’s of crimes.


Maxwell:      “a crying shame that a young man murdered a retired Alabama State Trooper and his wife in Dale County, then went to Columbia and murdered the sister of former Columbia Mayor James Green. The juvenile offender then came close to killing a deputy sheriff who stopped him just to let him know his tail light was out. That when the juvenile offender was convicted he showed no remorse. Then the Supreme Court changed their mind on the death penalty for juvenile offenders, but it is the law, even though I don’t agree”, said Maxwell.


WOULD YOU CONTINUE McGRUFF THE CRIME DOG IN THE SCHOOLS IF ELECTED DISTRICT ATTORNEY? 


Maxwell:      “have been McGruff”. Described the program as a “great” program. Maxwell said he has talked with many teachers all over Houston and Henry County, and they welcome the program.  Said the program is not a large financial burden. Maxwell said he liked the DARE program also.  Maxwell said he has worn the McGruff outfit, and while it is hot, the benefits are great.


Medley:      Medley said go to medleyforda.com and he has a lot of crime prevention programs, and age appropriate programs listed on his web site. The McGruff program, DARE program, 0meth, 0addiction, programs that are needed. Medley said what better way to fight crime than to prevent crime. Medley mentioned cybercrime 101. Medley mentioned the telephone scams such as this is the IRS.


Jones:    He said he has worn the McGruff outfit also. Jones said he supports 0meth.Another program Jones said is needed, a child he dealt with said their mother smoked crack. Jones said a program for children “at risk” was needed. Jones said he has been associated with programs through church like Celebrate Recovery which are great programs. That programs were needed for the age group 20 through 28 years of age.


PART THREE WILL COME LATER.


 


 


 



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