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May 29, 2006
Mojo Dixon
A well-liked former state legislator (or so sez Marc P.) from Memphis goes on trial for his parts in Operation Tennessee Waltz this week. The KNS (AP) story doesn't mention former Hamilton County District 4 Commissioner William Cotton's trial and sentencing, but I suppose that's because Roscoe Dixon is the first state official to be tried on Waltz-related charges, and otherwise they'd lose that focus.
I've gotta say that it doesn't look good for any of the accused who await trial. I really only say that because of the guilty pleas by both bagmen and one of the bribees, and the conviction already handed down to another. And the videotaped evidence.
However, I'm humbled in remembering that this is a place where our laws must be prosecuted fairly and flawlessly, and that defendants must be represented with exactly the same vigor, in order that justice is ensured. Well, there are a few wrinkles to iron out yet, but we've got the right idea.
It really does matter who goes first in this series, because the methods and practices from this first Memphis trial will be studied and re-thunk (sorry, technical term) a zillion times prior to the others. Get ready to hear the word "bellwether" a lot.
UPDATE: Check out this bit from Memphis newsman Cameron Harper: "So, with all this evidence against them, why would seven out of the ten Tennessee Waltz defendants opt for jury trials instead of plea deals?
Here’s why. This is Memphis, where, as we've seen, you can kill your lawyer because you don’t like the way he handled you [sic] case and there’s a chance the jury will let you get away with murder." Wow. [/UPDATE]
"Bring it on home, bring it on home to you.."
State Senate ~ You ain't 'enate | By joe lance | 10:01 PM