Comments on Advance Indiana™: Brizzi Justice: No Jail Time Time For Cemetery Owner Accused Of Stealing $27 Million

Brizzi is between a self-made rock and a hard-plac...

2009-08-03T12:33:32.547-05:00

Brizzi is between a self-made rock and a hard-place. He rushes to the cameras to get face time when the press catches on to something, talks big, then has to try to wait it out until the press isn't paying attention anymore, before soft-peddling it with a dismissal or weak-kneed plea.

But any plea is better than repeating the humiliating defeat he predictably suffered in the insurance fraud case, where multiple felonies were charged and Brizzi came up empty handed at trial, acquittals across the board.

He'll count this in his office statistics for gaining convictions, rest-assured.

Zirk, While that's true, one thing you learn ...

2009-07-31T09:12:00.314-05:00

Zirk,

While that's true, one thing you learn in law very quickly is that even a good attorney can't turn a bad client into a good one. There's a limit to what an attorney can do, even the best ones.

So, the co-defendants cop a plea to dismiss for te...

2009-07-31T08:04:20.662-05:00

So, the co-defendants cop a plea to dismiss for testimony, then the main player get probation and community service. Once again innocence is determined by how much you can pay for a lawyer. Justice is definitely blind, but still carries scales to determine the amount of money needed to tip the scales.

I think that this deals sucks, but I must say Voyl...

2009-07-31T07:23:21.909-05:00

I think that this deals sucks, but I must say Voyles is the best criminal defense lawyer in the state. He is a master deal maker in a lot of counties because he is good. I have watched him at trial and he surprisingly is not the best at the trial itself. but sure knows how to get deals. But, he is known to be honest and will not hang a Prosecutor out to dry,

He's going to be allowed to continue running t...

2009-07-31T07:04:32.818-05:00

He's going to be allowed to continue running the cemetaries? Are you kidding me?

The term "conspiracy" is being misused. ...

2009-07-31T07:03:45.325-05:00

The term "conspiracy" is being misused. The fact that someone suggests that campaign contributions by a defense attorney might have played a role in a prosecutuor going lightly on the defense attorney's client is not a suggestion of a "conspiracy." The term "conspiracy" typically involves a wider scheme that what Gary is suggesting might have happened in this case.

Murray's story indicates that Nelms will be al...

2009-07-31T06:30:36.023-05:00

Murray's story indicates that Nelms will be allowed to continue running the cemeteries. Unbelievable. Here's the reaction of the cemetery association's representative:

"If he's allowed to continue to work in the company, it's a miscarriage of justice," said Bill Keown, general counsel for the Indiana Cemetery Association. He thinks Nelms deserves prison.

And to add to my earlier response, Chris, there is a perception that Brizzi's office is reluctant to take any case to trial when there is a very competent criminal defense attorney involved like Voyles.

Since you asked, Chris, yes, Voyles has made large...

2009-07-31T06:19:18.761-05:00

Since you asked, Chris, yes, Voyles has made large contributions to Brizzi in the past.

So...does he have to repay the $27million?

2009-07-31T01:44:51.353-05:00

So...does he have to repay the $27million?

Far be it from me to interrupt a good conspiracy t...

2009-07-30T23:52:47.494-05:00

Far be it from me to interrupt a good conspiracy theory, but does anybody know if Jim Voyles gave Brizzi money? If not, aren't we jumping at the notion that this guy got the sentence he did because of Voyle's relationship with...well, you don't really say....Brizzi himself? Isn't it possible that Jim Voyles became the best criminal defense lawyer in the city by actually being good? I've always thought that the REAL value in having Voyles isn't what he'll do at trial, it's that he never has to go because of what he's already done in the past. That's not about "connections," that's about skill. If the larger point is only the wealthy can buy the big club that is Voyles, then, yeah, I agree. The tone of the article just kind of struck me as if AI was suggesting Voyles had exerted influence that had nothing to do with being a good lawyer.

Unbelievable, someone stole $27 million and Brizzi...

2009-07-30T22:38:44.118-05:00

Unbelievable, someone stole $27 million and Brizzi doesn't believe jail time is warranted? I was in court the other day where a woman had bounced a check for something like $20 at Walmart. She had a previous offense about 9 years earlier. Brizzi's office was arguing for time in prison.

Brizzi has never had any interest in white collar crime. Apparently he thinks it doesn't produce "victims."

This city cannot afford another four years of Carl Brizzi.

Absolutely awful..I assume this means that Brizzi ...

2009-07-30T20:58:32.502-05:00

Absolutely awful..I assume this means that Brizzi is not running for re-election which is a very good thing.

What's the first sentence in the Godfather (th...

2009-07-30T19:50:52.204-05:00

What's the first sentence in the Godfather (that's the book) "You can steal more money with a briefcase then you can with a gun".

You've just noticed that the wealthy and well-...

2009-07-30T19:28:39.677-05:00

You've just noticed that the wealthy and well-connected get better treatment in the criminal justice system. As Gomer Pyle would say, "Golly!"