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Paralegals & Legal Secretaries

: Practical Paralegalism

Paralegal Instrumental in Wrongful Conviction Case

By Lynne DeVenny

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It's a big day for any attorney who has proven that his client was wrongfully convicted and has secured that client's release from prison. You can definitely excuse a lawyer for feeling a little smug and self-satisfied under those circumstances.

But it's an even bigger day when that attorney publicly gives props to his paralegal, as Dallas District Attorney Craig Watkins did this week, while waiting on the release of his newly exonerated client, Stephen Brodie, who was cleared of the 1990 sexual assault of a 5-year old girl.

Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins...chatted with Brodie's dad and the exonerees.
Brodie's father put his arm around Watkins and said, "I tell you what, God bless you. You really started something here."
Watkins said he couldn't take credit and told Brodie's father that Jena Parker, the paralegal in his conviction integrity unit is the person who brought the case to his attention.
"She's the one you really need to thank," Watkins said. "She read your letter and got all this going."

According to Investigation Discovery's website, Parker has been the certified paralegal in the Conviction Integrity Unit for the Dallas County District Attorney's office since 2007. She received the Exceptional Pro Bono Award-Paralegal Division State Bar of Texas in 2007.

Congratulations to Brodie and his legal team, especially Parker, who clearly has an appreciative boss.

_________________________

The photo at the top of this post is of the conviction integrity unit established by Watkins in 2007 and includes paralegal Jena Parker, prosecutor Mike Ware, prosecutor Cynthia R. Graza and investigator James Hammond.

Sources: DallasNews.com; Investigation Discovery

Full post as published by Practical Paralegalism on September 28, 2010 (boomark / email).