Justice was FINALLY Served: Greg Taylor IS INNOCENT!

Pictured Above is Chris Mumma (Defense Attorney for Greg Taylor) and freshly innocent Greg Taylor.

To watch the verdict click here, and to skip the legalese and get to the decision skip to 4:20 of the video -------> http://www.wral.com/news/local/video/7064143/

For the news article click here -----> http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/7063377/

For about the past week and a half the North Carolina Innocence Commission has been holding a hearing at my school in the Business Courtroom. This hearing would decide the fate of Greg Taylor, a man who was convicted of the murder of JaQuetta Thomas in 1993. It would decide whether he would go free without shackles to begin the rest of his life as a free man, or to continue serving his life sentence. He spent 17 years in jail and has claimed innocence from the very beginning. In order for him to go free he had to prove by the facts by "clear and convincing" evidence that he was innocent. This standard means the defense would have to prove that it was highly probable that he did not commit the crime. If I were to put it in percentages, let's say that they would have to show at a point higher than 51% but less than 99%, so somewhere in the 70% range. (just something to give the non-legal world to understand the term "clear and convincing evidence)


(This is a Picture of Greg Taylor right before entering the press conference)


(This is a picture of Greg Taylor, his family, and some supporters during the press conference in the lobby at Campbell Law)

I was able to witness the closing arguments and the reading of the verdict today at school. When sitting in the room listening to the prosecution, I could just feel the emotion, the tension, and the frustration in the room of the family members and supporters of Mr.Taylor. There were constant outbursts(understandably so)in the room when the Prosecution would say something, in my opinion, that just made no logical sense at all.

Before I tell you my opinion on it, I would first like to say that before today, I was not privy to the information about the evidence given during the hearing last week because I had been in class and unable to attend the viewing of the presentation of evidence.

During closing arguments, we first heard from the Prosecution (the State). I was quickly able to see that their strategy was to try and discredit the testimony of the witnesses for the defense and to show contradictions in evidence. No, I am not yet an attorney, or an expert at any of this, BUT I was quickly able to see that the Prosecution did NOT have much of a case. The closing argument was not easy to follow because it was a lot of "he said, then she said" going on. He stumbled over his words a lot as well. There was nothing mentioned of their inability to present all of the exculpatory evidence that they possessed. There was nothing mention of their suggestive criminal identification strategies. Just merely the phrase, that supposedly came from an eyewitness that "a black leather jacket looked like a black mini-skirt." That definitely raised in eyebrow with me. Evidence that the SBI withheld exculpatory evidence was presented, and the SBI wouldnt own it, simply treated it as though their actions were permissible. There was plenty of evidence that would raise a reasonable doubt about the guilt or Mr.Greg Taylor, yet the withholding of evidence and unfortunately misleading information led to his guilty verdict in 1993 and subsequent appeals.

The Defense came out swinging on closing arguments. Stating that the Prosecution has what they called "confirmatory bias" which meant that there was no evidence that Taylor committed the crime in question, but the Prosecution was so biased against him, that no matter what evidence came through the pipes, they would somehow tie it to him in order to get a conviction. There was evidence that Taylor returned to the scene of the crime with his wife and boss, and even let the prosecution search everything he owned. He refused a pleas offer, even after being threatened with a life sentence, and he refused leniency. Wouldnt that raise and eyebrow to you? There was even evidence, that in Taylor's "so called" confession, that he got the cause of death of the victim wrong.

I dont know what jury after seeing this evidence could have convicted this man. Im not even sure why during the appeals process, the Prosecution couldnt get off their high horses and admit they were wrong to withhold evidence. Instead Taylor had to spend 17 years of his life in prison.

It took a 3 judge panel to unanimously agree that Taylor, by clear and convincing evidence, has proven his innocence.

The legal field can be a wonderful place when justice is served, but there is also a very ugly side to it. When justice isnt served, we all suffer directly and/or indirectly.

I stood in awe at Mr. Taylor's humility and forgiving heart. When they asked him was he angry, he said no. He was just grateful that today had come. Im not sure that I could have been so free.

Im sure that this occurrence is not just North Carolina specific, and I believe that more states should have such a commission. Taylor had used up all of his appeals and his only recourse came when the innocence commission was put into place.

I urge all of us in the legal field to do our jobs to the best of our abilities. We can zealously be an advocate for our clients while still remaining ethical and morally correct. Let us be the attorneys we would want to represent us and that we would want to represent our profession.

Who Can Love You More?

WHO CAN LOVE YOU MORE?

Lisa McClendon has this song entitled "Who Can Love You More." Everytime I hear that song it strikes a chord deep within me. I am reminded one way or another on the daily that there is indeed no love like the love of Jesus Christ. People will always disappoint, people will let you down, they will deceive you, and they will hurt you. The people closest to you are not exempt from this. There has been this part of me that wants to be loved in a certain way. It wants to feel constantly appreciated, beautiful, admired, and secure. Yet all that I've come into contact with has not lived up to those expectations. Will anyone ever? Maybe not, a truth that I have come to the conclusion of, BUT GOD!!! The love that I long for and that we all long for is in Christ and can be found in Christ, we just have to accept it.

Many times, I think mostly because we cannot tangibly see or feel God, we treat Him as though he cannot do the things for us that we look for in humans. We shun Him as our companion because he cant physically watch a movie with us. We ban Him from our bedrooms because he cannot hold us at night. We push Him away from our hearts because he cannot physically walk us down the aisle.

I have personally been guilty of settling for less than I should because I wouldnt just be patient and wait for what God has for me. I needed to be content with He and I until the time comes where He will give me the rights of passage to my Adam.

I know things happen in seasons, and in God's time things are revealed to us and given to us, but this thing is getting so annoying to me. To the point where im just ready to give up on it all. What really am I holding on to? If what God has for me is better than anything I can fathom why not just wait?

Until God unites me with Him, I need to not just know it, but act like I know that God is my love, and He will never steer me wrong. I need to focus on me, what He has for me to do right now and let the chips fall where they may. He pursued me and found me. He gives me much more than I can ever give Him in return. The man of my dreams will show me that type of love, the love of Christ, that unconditional love. That love that will never leave you with questions, but will leave you fulfilled and not lacking at the end of the day.

Who can love me more? No One.

F.E.A.R.

My mom used to always use this acrostic for "fear" when I was growing up. She always said that fear was "False Evidence Appearing Real." She also taught us this song that went "God has not given us a spirit of fear but he has given unto us, a spirit of power, a spirit of love, and a sound mind." However, it is still so easy to fear. Easier to fear than it is to actually have faith about whatever it is you fear. Fear can cause you so much trouble. It can lead you to make decisions that otherwise would not have been made. It can leave you confused and indecisive. It can rob you of your future and of your blessings.

The crux of Christianity is faith. If you possess not faith, then you cannot truly call yourself a christian. We must believe that God is all powerful, and more than able to fulfill his promises to us. That he is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we could ask or think. But we must be careful not to confuse fear with our spiritual discernment. If something is your spirit is telling you that something is wrong, then listen to it.

I have allowed fear to have FAR TOO MUCH reign over my life the past couple of years, and it's time for me to let it go and just have faith in God completely. Not just about some subjects, but all of them.

Be Grateful

I am extremely blessed. I have been blessed with a wonderful family. An opportunity to go to and to FINISH law school. Great friends and church family. Life, health, and strength. I can go on and on. I am guilty of focusing so much on the things I want, and on the things that are going wrong in my life that I began to just be sad most of the time. That state of mind is not only bad for you, but it is wrong. God has given us so much and has blessed us so much, we should be grateful for everything, through the good, and even when things appear to be bad. In the bible God tells us to meditate on those things that are good, and that is what we should do, and thank God the whole time through.

Life can be a much better experience if we all just recognize that the things we dont have may not be meant for us, and all in God's timing will we get the things we need and maybe even some of the things we want. God will give us all that is necessary for us to live a life that is fulfilling and of purpose.

No more will I dwell on the bad, but praise Him through it all, and just have faith in knowing everything is in His hands.

Judgment Day

Today I will argue my third case of my law school career in trial. I woke up early this morning so that I can get some time in to work on memorizing my closing before class begins. I am somewhat nervous and feeling unsure about the theory of my case. Honestly on the facts, no matter what theory I argue, the plaintiffs should win, but I will do my best to persuade the jury otherwise. Wish me blessings. Trial isnt until 6:30 tonight so I have a long day of class/preparation ahead.

Trial preparation isnt so bad until you actually have to get the questioning and theories together, then it becomes a little tedious. So people already know that they do not want to litigate, however I do not feel that way. If I end up litigating, I am fine with that. I think I am pretty good at it. Anyhow, I must be going. I will update you with the results.

Someday instead of arguing in a courtroom full of my peers/classmates and a judge who is my professor, I will be arguing in front of a real judge and a jury of people who will scrutinize me and not care for me. So I guess I should appreciate this while it lasts and get as much practice in as possible. IM OUT

God Bless You, and God Loves You

Productive Day

Today my classes were canceled at school and I was able to get some much needed things accomplished. I went to the gym this morning, then went to the store, came home and did some cleaning, and now im relaxing for a bit before I study the remainder of my day away. This Saturday coming is Barrister's Ball aka Law Prom. Im simply going because it's my last year/semester in law school and I told myself that I would participate this year. It's kind of difficult for me to get excited about it because none of the people I hang around are going, AND I will be going alone, but I will try to make the best of it. Anyhow, the day is calling. I must be going.