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“ferociously committed” ” model of indefatigable advocacy”

By Karl R. Keys, Esq.

One of my role models, Bette Niemi, — described in the press as “ferociously committed” ” model of indefatigable advocacy” — has retired.  This press piece tells you a little bit about why she was so widely amdired: She was hardly a great orator. She never raved or ranted in the courtroom. But in 25 years as a public defender, Bette Niemi won 17 acquittals, most remarkably for 2 clients facing the death penalty. Only one of the nearly 3 dozen people she represented in capital murder cases was sentenced to the ultimate punishment, and his conviction was reversed on appeal. Niemi, 57, retired last month, ending a career in which she earned a reputation as one of the state’s most accomplished capital defenders...continue to full post

Full post as published by Capital Defense Weekly on January 06, 2009 (boomark / email).