By The Sweat Of My Tongue
Profiles In Prosecution
by
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VILE VENGEANCE
“On Horror's head horrors accumulate...”
Even so my bloody thoughts, with
violence pace,...
Till that capable and wide revenge
swallow them up.”
(Shakespeare, Othello, Act III, Sc.3, lines 371, 454)
Chapter 1
Something is different. A stiff breeze whips the mimosa trees. The moonless night is warm and creepy. The shrill wail of sirens relentless in the distance. Those on the street sense a palpable tension building, expanding - intensifying. Volatile flames lick hungrily at the somber darkness. A sinister bluish-orange glow hovers over west Las Vegas. Large chunks of city blocks on the westside are burning. Many firefighters and police hurriedly respond to crisis points.
It's an extraordinary event. Multiple fires have been deliberately combusted by citizens in response to the acquittal in California of three Simi Valley police officers on charges of viciously beating motorist Rodney King. Widespread rioting has triggered arson and looting. The aura the rioters have created reeks with a spirit of reckless retribution. It is an ill-begotten omen of lawlessness that does not bode well for the immediate future.
The frenzied protest of hooligans in west Las Vegas is the night's lead story, but about one mile away a vile subplot will bedevil the diminished resources of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department in this portentous gloom.
Perhaps, he is one among many. But within the borders of the city, on this 30th day of April, 1992, is a vain man with a bone to pick. He has a serious gripe. He carries within his heart a reservoir of bitter bile that infects his mind. He's been obsessed with a spirit of vengeance for months, and the poison spreads with the passing of each hour. He's been wronged by one he considered a friend. Seriously compromised. Threatened. And on horror's head horrors accumulate! What he now contemplates is horrible. Disgusting. Diabolic.
Yet, his bloody thoughts, with violence pace, malignant in his brain. He believes only cunning, cruel, complete revenge will swallow up his bloody torment. He's mistaken in his premise, of course. But how do we make sense out of nonsense? How are victims to be warned of impending catastrophe? How can one whose head is saturated with horror forgive the one who put the horror there?
_____________
There is no warning. It is a mission of stealth and subterfuge. The night continues to be enveloped by thick darkness. Natural cover for the perpetration of murderous mischief. A silver sliver of a moon will not rise until 2:19 am. By then the heinous deed is done. And the police have other fish to fry on the westside. They are preoccupied by a smokescreen of fire and rioting. The night seems ordained for perverted vindication. There are six persons inside 532 Wardelle Street, Apartment D. It's almost midnight - the ominous witching hour. Though it's not the sorcery of witches that is imminent. The black specter of murder approaches. A car pulls up and parks. Two men with loaded firearms are inside. Both dressed in dark clothes. They linger in the car reviewing their modus operandi. Mousey gets out, shrouded in the darkness. Quietly, fatefully he climbs the stairs and knocks. There's a brief pause. He is known by those inside. Or is he? Lacy opens the door and goes to the bedroom. Mousey enters. He carries a concealed .357 magnum and a malevolent heart. Stuart and James are in the front room - apprehensive. There's small talk. They ask why he's dressed in dark clothes. He offers a flippant response. They sit down. More relaxed. Less vigilant. Disarmed by Mousey's manner and charming banter. Small errors in judgment can have calamitous consequence. A few minutes later, Mousey excuses himself to go spit. It's a ruse. He unlocks the dead bolt and goes to the balcony briefly. When he returns he does not reset the dead bolt. Sadly, his treachery is unnoticed. There's more conversation. Mousey stands up and goes to the window. He parts the drapes and looks outside. His actions are a sign of readiness. A green light. It's a go! The lights of the car blink menacingly. Message received! Double R exits the vehicle. On horror's head horrors accumulate. He is strapped with a 9-millimeter - and by bloody thoughts that violently pace malignant in his brain. He is known by one who is inside. Or is he - really? Step -by - step with measured stealth, Double R climbs the stairway to deliberate -murderous -mayhem. Death is at the door of apartment D. He enters unimpeded. His 9-millimeter in hand.
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Book Details
About the Book
"Lawyers earn their living by the sweat of their tongues, and they don't mind hard work." (anon.)
Some legal pundits espouse the use of conversational tones when addressing Jurors. They recommend a friendly discussion approach while arguing points to the Trier of Fact. These Courthouse virtuosos suggest that the sophistication of contemporary Jurors makes Courtroom oratory passe. Excuse me!
A PROSECUTOR has a sworn duty to proclaim the truth. Even the most casual Courtroom combatant knows that facts don't automatically prevail. Justice is often frustrated. Truth doesn't inexorably impose its will on a Jury. There is no magic charm-wand in the Courtroom. No vaccine for insulating undecided Jurors from the noxious effect of falsehood. No ambient conditioner to endow equivocal Juries with perfect discernment during their deliberations.
The cause of Justice must be championed by PASSIONATE ADVOCACY. The People's Lawyer must prosecute aggressively but prudently, and he must speak dynamically. Truth is promulgated by evidence, proper instructions, perspiration, and eloquence! Manner of delivery is a matter of personal style to be sure, but it's also a matter of taking charge in the Courtroom.
About the Author
He is a retired Trial Lawyer. Employed by the Clark County District Attorney's Office in Las Vegas, Nevada for twenty nine years. Serving as Chief Deputy in charge of the Major Violator"s Unit for sixteen years. During his career he handled nearly 300 felony trials, which includes 136 Murder Trials. Probably, no Prosecutor in the United States has exceeded this number. He is uniquely qualified to discuss the prosecution of murder cases. He is well known in the State of Nevada, particularly in the Las Vegas area. He has participated over the years in many high-profile cases that received extensive news coverage. The Governor proclaimed both March 1, 1989 and October 26 1996 as Mel Harmon Days in recognition of his professional stature. He also received the State Bar of Nevada Distinguished Public Lawyer Award for "expertise, dedication and extraordinary service to the people of Nevada as a Public Lawyer" in November, 1992. Moreover, he was awarded the William J. Raggio outstanding Prosecutor in the State Award on September 23, 2004.