Gunman Shoots Lawyer Outside Courthouse, Police Say

[Seraphim]

http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/West/10/31/lawyer.shot/index.html

I just saw this on the news, it was the craziest thing I ever saw. I couldnt believe they showed this on TV. Shows this guy, pulls out this revolver. The lawyer is behind this tree and the gunmen is right there and they are doing a peek a boo type thing. The gunmen is right on the other side of the tree and and starts shooting and the lawyer is matrixing this guy. I think 2 citizens tackle the guy and then cops arrive seconds later.
Unfreaking believable.

The picture is right after he finish unloading his revolver, he walks away non chalantly
http://i.cnn.net/cnn/2003/US/West/10/31/lawyer.shot/story.victim.jpg
An attorney, left, stands motionless after being shot Friday by a gunman, right, outside a courthouse.



VAN NUYS, California (CNN) -- A 60-year-old man shot and seriously wounded an attorney Friday outside the courthouse where actor Robert Blake will stand trial for murder, Los Angeles police said.


There is no indication the shooting was related to Blake's case. (More on the Blake hearing)

The shooting happened about 10:20 a.m. PST in the presence of a number of bystanders.

Police identified the gunman as William Striler and said he pulled a revolver from his coat and fired six shots at attorney Jerry Curry, 53. The victim ducked behind a small tree to avoid being shot, but was struck multiple times in the upper body, Los Angeles Police Capt. Jim Miller said.

The gunman calmly pocketed his weapon and walked away after the shooting. Moments later, police swarmed and took him into custody. One officer confiscated an envelope that fell from the alleged gunman's pocket as he was tackled.

Although the gunman fired from nearly point-blank range, his bloodied victim was responsive to emergency personnel before being taken by ambulance to Holy Cross Hospital in Mission Hills. "His injuries are serious but do not appear to be life-threatening," Miller said.

The police spokesman said it appears that Striler was angry about a probate case, but he didn't offer details. The suspect, he said, was not talking.

[ßå$tĮТHÏ¿ð]

That dude must have the worlds worst aim in the entire free world. How could you not kill him at that range :cantbeli: next time maybe he should try a knife rofl

[Seoulstriker]

the victim might be dead. it looks like he got hit in the face somehow (blood from his nose down), or he might have regurgitated blood if he was shot in the stomach. :(

[Seraphim]

Well when the cops arrived they took care of him...you hear one of them say he was shot in the neck or the cop asked if he was shot in the neck...but if you read the article Seoul ;)



His injuries are serious but do not appear to be life-threatening," Miller said.



but was struck multiple times in the upper body

[Seoulstriker]

Well when the cops arrived they took care of him...you hear one of them say he was shot in the neck or the cop asked if he was shot in the neck...but if you read the article Seoul ;)



His injuries are serious but do not appear to be life-threatening," Miller said.



but was struck multiple times in the upper body

i also heard that he collapsed almost immediately after he stood in front of everybody with his arms up. i was just concerned about the blood on his face.

if he did get a bullet in the stomach, there is serious problems with infection. a worse shot would be in the large or small intestines where some serious toxic waste can get into the blood stream.

[StarvingStudent47]

the victim might be dead. it looks like he got hit in the face somehow (blood from his nose down), or he might have regurgitated blood if he was shot in the stomach. :(

No, I saw the video. It was the most surreal thing I've ever seen. Like an above poster said, they did a peek-a-boo thing with the lawyer on the opposite side of the tree trunk from the assailant. The assailaint emptied his revolver, then calmly turned and started walking away. The lawyer just stood there for about 1 second, looked himself over, realized he wasn't dead, then walked in the general direction of the camera asking for help. He did not appear to be seriously wounded, though there was blood all over his face and hands. I could not tell where the wounds were, but his strides were steady and strong.

[Seraphim]

Not sure if he collapsed, but it showed him walking around...

[StarvingStudent47]

if he did get a bullet in the stomach, there is serious problems with infection. a worse shot would be in the large or small intestines where some serious toxic waste can get into the blood stream.

Look at his shirt. There is no way he could be shot in the stomach. White dress shirts wick blood like nobody's business. Also the report only mentioned him being shot in the upper body.

That tree probably saved his life, because it prevented him from being shot on his centerline, and I'm sure several of the bullets hit the tree instead of him.

[NcDeuce]

OMG, what is our world coming to?

I hope whoever tackled that sorry piece of shi*, beat the living hell out of him.

[Mortimer]

why would the TV show that though?....its a bit over the top, especially for kiddies. its like the Saddam Video and the doods throwing the people off the roof....

[TRACER_BULLET]

That dude must have the worlds worst aim in the entire free world. How could you not kill him at that range :cantbeli: next time maybe he should try a knife rofl

rofl rofl
this guy would probably missed with the knife too ... and stab himself

[He219]

An awful situation nonetheless.....

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20031031/capt.ny12110312126.blake_wife_slain_ny121.jpg

An unidentified gunman, left, described as a disgruntled client, fires several shots at his attorney in this television from Court TV, Friday, Oct. 31, 2003, outside the Los Angeles courthouse where actor Robert Blake's murder trial is taking place. Los Angeles police spokesman Officer James Chong said the male suspect was taken into custody. The shooting is not connected to the Blake case. (AP Photo/courtesty Court TV)

:|

[Seoulstriker]

if he did get a bullet in the stomach, there is serious problems with infection. a worse shot would be in the large or small intestines where some serious toxic waste can get into the blood stream.

Look at his shirt. There is no way he could be shot in the stomach. White dress shirts wick blood like nobody's business. Also the report only mentioned him being shot in the upper body.

That tree probably saved his life, because it prevented him from being shot on his centerline, and I'm sure several of the bullets hit the tree instead of him.

i just said stomach because there appears to be blood from his nose to his mouth, but if he was shot there, he would have been killed. i was thinking that the blood was from internal bleeding beign regurgitated, but I can't see very well. :|

[usa320]

whats even sadder than the fact that he got shot is the fact that the camera crew stood there and taped it instead of trying to assist the guy.

[Fargin]

Well reporters are observers.

[Seraphim]

I think he got nicked in the nose by a bullet or from tree bark.

Heres the video for everyone who missed it.

http://www.msnbc.com/news/987626.asp?vts=110120031125

[Shake n Bake]

An awful situation nonetheless.....

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20031031/capt.ny12110312126.blake_wife_slain_ny121.jpg

An unidentified gunman, left, described as a disgruntled client, fires several shots at his attorney in this television from Court TV, Friday, Oct. 31, 2003, outside the Los Angeles courthouse where actor Robert Blake's murder trial is taking place. Los Angeles police spokesman Officer James Chong said the male suspect was taken into custody. The shooting is not connected to the Blake case. (AP Photo/courtesty Court TV)

:|



check out the hooters girl talking on the pay phone... I love everyone just stands around like its normal.

[StarvingStudent47]

I love everyone just stands around like its normal.
The entire thing took perhaps 2-3 seconds to play out. Maybe soldiers would react instinctively to the first sight of someone pulling a revolver without warning or provocation, but these were white-collar businesspeople. Many had probably never seen a gun fired before in their life--certainly not in anger. I don't think we can fault them for standing, blinking, and saying "what the heck?!" for 2.5 seconds.

[UoUo]

I saw it in T.V...it was ****ing scary !!

[Steve Andrews]

What calibre was that revolver?

Was it shot shells from a .22?????????????????????

[Shake n Bake]

I love everyone just stands around like its normal.
The entire thing took perhaps 2-3 seconds to play out. Maybe soldiers would react instinctively to the first sight of someone pulling a revolver without warning or provocation, but these were white-collar businesspeople. Many had probably never seen a gun fired before in their life--certainly not in anger. I don't think we can fault them for standing, blinking, and saying "what the heck?!" for 2.5 seconds.



It wasn't 2.5 seconds the guy emptied two revolvers at the lawyer before calmly and casually walking away while everyone just stood there with a **** eating grin on their face like this was an everyday occurrence.

[Seraphim]

Two revolvers???

I only saw one...

Oh and on a side note, the guy in the white shirt who tackled the guy was an off duty sheriff.

[California Joe]

That was funny as balls. Dude was the worst F'in shot ever. It was like a 3 Stooges movie. "Here I am Moe" Maybe asshole lawyers will think twice. I doubt it. The shooter was such a quitter, he didn't even have speedloaders. What a fag.

[Seoulstriker]

An awful situation nonetheless.....

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20031031/capt.ny12110312126.blake_wife_slain_ny121.jpg

An unidentified gunman, left, described as a disgruntled client, fires several shots at his attorney in this television from Court TV, Friday, Oct. 31, 2003, outside the Los Angeles courthouse where actor Robert Blake's murder trial is taking place. Los Angeles police spokesman Officer James Chong said the male suspect was taken into custody. The shooting is not connected to the Blake case. (AP Photo/courtesty Court TV)

:|



check out the hooters girl talking on the pay phone... I love everyone just stands around like its normal.


i saw some more footage of the whole thing and i think she was calling 911.

[ßå$tĮТHÏ¿ð]

You know what would have been better if the lawyer pulled one and and they both were shooting at eachother point blank range rofl
But ya no **** this lawyers going to wear a bulletproof vest were-ever he goes now. The only injury he got was probably some powder burns hahaha :lol:

[Seoulstriker]

http://courttv.com/graphics/photos/trials/blake/inside/offlede/victim200w135h-insidesmall-103103.jpg

[SFontaine]

You obviously didn't see the whole movie, Shake n Bake. He's tackeld at the end. Also, if you just witnessed a shooting would you rush the guy in an attempt to take him down? No. You'd be scared that he'd whip out the revolver and take you down too.

[SaNdMaN]

The sad thing is that I've seen too many lawyers in action to feel any sort of sympathy for the guy... :oops:

I need a job change...

[Shake n Bake]

You obviously didn't see the whole movie, Shake n Bake. He's tackeld at the end.

Yeah, after he packs his gun and starts walking like nothing happend.



Also, if you just witnessed a shooting would you rush the guy in an attempt to take him down? No.

wasn't that what ended up happening?? Personally I would've DUCKED AND COVERED unlike everyone who just stood there like an asshole.

[SFontaine]

Yeah but you're compalining about the women and the film crews not doing anything. The guy who rushes him is an off duty cop.

[martinexsquaddie]

short of having a gun yourself rushing someones who's shooting isn't really a smart idea. Seems like the lawyer made it to hospital so it seems he's going to live. Maybe ban marksmanship classes in the US :roll:

[Gordon]

The sad thing is that I've seen too many lawyers in action to feel any sort of sympathy for the guy... :oops:

I need a job change...

I'm with ya man, who knows what kinda lawyer he is but there's enough lawyers out the that deserve a bullet. No one knows what kind of cases this lawyer covers, but say, for example, his firm was representing the DC sniper guy then most people would think he was fair game. Alternatively if he was representing something more humane then you'd think the gunman was an asshole.

(i'm just playing devil's advocate here)

[Saranof]

Thats the funniest/ most tragic thing I've seen today!

[StarvingStudent47]

The sad thing is that I've seen too many lawyers in action to feel any sort of sympathy for the guy...

:roll:

[StarvingStudent47]

I'm with ya man, who knows what kinda lawyer he is but there's enough lawyers out the that deserve a bullet. No one knows what kind of cases this lawyer covers, but say, for example, his firm was representing the DC sniper guy then most people would think he was fair game. Alternatively if he was representing something more humane then you'd think the gunman was an asshole.

(i'm just playing devil's advocate here)

1) The United States Constitution REQUIRES that any defendant, no matter how evil, receive legal representation at trial. This is as fundamental to the Constitution as the Second Amendment. You're not against the Constitution, are you?

2) For every defense attorney, there's a prosecuting attorney fighting to get the guy behind bars.

[NcDeuce]

whats even sadder than the fact that he got shot is the fact that the camera crew stood there and taped it instead of trying to assist the guy.

This guy deserves a swift kick to the balls from every pissed off citizen. Then tortured to death. This type of shi* is intolerable.

[SaNdMaN]

1) The United States Constitution REQUIRES that any defendant, no matter how evil, receive legal representation at trial. This is as fundamental to the Constitution as the Second Amendment. You're not against the Constitution, are you?

Not at all...I have taken an oath to uphold the laws and spirit of the constitution, and I do so on a nightly basis...However, even though every individual is entitled to a defense, it still takes a, *ahem* "Special" type of person to provide said defense...Could you defend someone you knew to be guilty of a crime, with a strategy of demeaning and discrediting a police officer to cast doubt on your clients guilt? I couldn't...


2) For every defense attorney, there's a prosecuting attorney fighting to get the guy behind bars.

I'm going to assume by that statement that you aren't in law enforcement, please correct me if I'm wrong. DA's are only seeking to lower their case loads, get a high conviction rate (via plea bargains) so that they can later move into private practice...I have yet to see anything within the justice system to prove otherwise...

And, just to clear the record, I am not advocating "green light" hits on all attorneys...I am just saying that most, if not all, I have ever encountered had no moral fiber or ethics and were only interested in the allmighty dollar...As they say in the hood, You live a scandalous life, you pay a heavy price...

[StarvingStudent47]

Not at all...I have taken an oath to uphold the laws and spirit of the constitution, and I do so on a nightly basis...However, even though every individual is entitled to a defense, it still takes a, *ahem* "Special" type of person to provide said defense...Could you defend someone you knew to be guilty of a crime, with a strategy of demeaning and discrediting a police officer to cast doubt on your clients guilt? I couldn't...

The United States criminal law system is designed to be an aversarial process. The prosecution shows evidence in the light most likely to convict; the defense shows the evidence in the light must likely to support acquittal or conviction of a lighter crime; then the jury decides which is correct. At the very least, you need defense attorneys to "run the proseuction through its paces"--making them genuinely prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt.

And God forbid, there are a few cases where there are innocent people are charged with crimes. And somebody has to defend them, to make sure that innocent people are not sentenced to years of imprisonment. And in a few of those cases, innocnet people are charged because of corrupt cops. Police officers are human too, and that means that a few of them are bad. Just like a few priests are bad (Geoghan), a few elementary school teachers are bad, a few soldiers are bad (Lt Cally), and so on. While the vast majority of police officers are solid, upstanding citizens, not all of them are, and a person should have the right to at least challenge the word of a cop before they spend 20 years of their life incarcerated.

I have trouble calling someone immoral for fulfilling a duty that the United States Constitution requires be done. How two-faced is it so say that "we require that someone does this, but we will spit on and hate whoever does it"?



2) For every defense attorney, there's a prosecuting attorney fighting to get the guy behind bars.

I'm going to assume by that statement that you aren't in law enforcement, please correct me if I'm wrong.

I'm not a police officer, I'm a law student studying to become a criminal prosecutor. From your post I'm assuming you're a police officer?


DA's are only seeking to lower their case loads, get a high conviction rate (via plea bargains) so that they can later move into private practice...I have yet to see anything within the justice system to prove otherwise...

Well that's an unusual observation, and it both goes against every experience I've had with prosecutors as well as my knowledge of the field of law. Here are the points where I disagree:

1) Every public prosecutor I've met genuinely believes in what they're doing. They're trying to make the world a safer place. I know a lot of people on the street who say "your average cop just does their job because they enjoy the power trip." I've never met someone who is in continual contact with police officers who believes this. In my experience, the same is true of attorneys in the DA's office.

2) If you're trying to get a big-bill private practice, being a criminal prosecutor is possibly the worst place in law to start. First off, if you want to be a wealthy private defense attorney, don't specialize in proseuction! Start as a "public defender" instead. Secondly, the real big-bucks private practices are in civil law, not criminal law anyway. A prosecutor would essentially have to go back to law school if they wanted to transfer over from the criminal law system to the civil law system. I can assure you that the in-house council for Microsoft Corp did NOT start out as a criminal prosecutor. You can't just move from law field to law field like that, just like a veterinarian can't just get a job at the local hospital's emergency room.

If a criminal prosecutor wants a larger paycheck, there are two common ways to go about that. One, they can move from more rural counties to more urban counties (better funding). Two, they can climb within the ranks of a given county's DA's office.

The bottom line is this. Every single prosecutor I've ever met says "If you want big bucks, go into business law or tax law. Do NOT go into criminal law. ONLY go into criminal law if you actually WANT to do criminal law."


And, just to clear the record, I am not advocating "green light" hits on all attorneys...I am just saying that most, if not all, I have ever encountered had no moral fiber or ethics and were only interested in the allmighty dollar...As they say in the hood, You live a scandalous life, you pay a heavy price...

Well that's too bad. But I'd disagree that the field of law is "a scandalous life" to begin with. And I've seen it from the inside, both as an intern and as a law student. Most attorneys work hard as hell (60 hour weeks are common) and never rise above the title "middle class." A lot of lawyers have failed marriages--not because they're high on coke and off with hookers on their $200,000 salaries--but because they're always at the office and return home late at night stressed and exhausted. The media focuses on the scandalous 1% with attorneys, just like with any job. How many hard-working Catholic priests are there in this nation? Thousands? But one John Geoghan ruins the image of every single one of them. How many hard-working cops are there across this nation? Tens of thousands? But the four cops who beat Rodney King ruined the image of every single police officer for several years. Attorneys are no different.

I'm going into criminal prosecution because I feel a push deep down in my soul to do it. If I wanted money, I'd go to business school--it's much easier and the paychecks afterward are much larger. I am doing criminal law because I think I would be good at it, and because I feel a duty to give back to the community in this way. The safety of everyday men, women, and children depends on proficient attorneys putting the "bad guys" away. But I'm not naive; I am fully aware of the fact that if I'm gunned down, most people will smile and laugh about it. So it goes.

[Andyman]

I think this stirs up the whole firearms regulation issue. But I wont bother getting into it cause I know I'm fighting a losing battle on this forum.

[Durandal]

I think this stirs up the whole firearms regulation issue. But I wont bother getting into it cause I know I'm fighting a losing battle on this forum.

Huh? But you'll bother mentioning it. :)

Nice try.

Just out of curiosity, what does this have to do with firearms regulation?

[Andyman]

Just out of curiosity, what does this have to do with firearms regulation?

was that supposed to really be a question?

I mean wtf how can some guy just do that stuff in broad daylight. I mean it sends the message that anyone can just go and shoot up any place they want if they feel like it.

[Fioraon]

They can. Thats a no brainer, but they'll be hell to pay.

[mocking_loudly_died]

Sorry guys, I didn't find this to humorous.

More disturbing.

[Seraphim]

Heres an update, the lawyer got shot 5 times in the left arm, and once in the neck and the bullet is still there.

[Durandal]

was that supposed to really be a question?

I mean wtf how can some guy just do that stuff in broad daylight. I mean it sends the message that anyone can just go and shoot up any place they want if they feel like it.

Yeah, I still do not see a connection and yes, it was serious question.

The event took place in CALIFORNIA outside of a COURTHOUSE in a MAJOR CITY by someone that does not have a CONCEAL CARRY PERMIT against an UNARMED individual in front of NEWSCREWS, ENDANGERING the GENERAL PUBLIC while surrounded by LAW OFFICERS.

How can it get any more regulated? At least in the United States?

In fact, this is a perfect example how regulation does nothing to prevent events like this one from happening.

[Seraphim]

Oh and another update...that girl in the background on the pay phone was on with her ex boyfriend, you can see her quickly hang up while the guy was still shooting and called 911.

[Andyman]

i guess you're right man i can't really argue that last point. ;)

[SaNdMaN]

@ Starving Student:

First off, my comments were primarily directed toward criminal defense attorneys and civil lawyers...ADA's are a marginal step above the bulk of practicing attorneys...


Quote:
DA's are only seeking to lower their case loads, get a high conviction rate (via plea bargains) so that they can later move into private practice...I have yet to see anything within the justice system to prove otherwise...


Well that's an unusual observation, and it both goes against every experience I've had with prosecutors as well as my knowledge of the field of law.

Actually it's not an unusual observation from the perspective of police officers.


If you're trying to get a big-bill private practice, being a criminal prosecutor is possibly the worst place in law to start. First off, if you want to be a wealthy private defense attorney, don't specialize in proseuction! Start as a "public defender" instead. Secondly, the real big-bucks private practices are in civil law, not criminal law anyway. A prosecutor would essentially have to go back to law school if they wanted to transfer over from the criminal law system to the civil law system. I can assure you that the in-house council for Microsoft Corp did NOT start out as a criminal prosecutor. You can't just move from law field to law field like that, just like a veterinarian can't just get a job at the local hospital's emergency room.


Actually I would do a little further research into the matter. Working as a criminal prosecutor or as a public defender will give you something that is invaluable in the practice of law: trial experience. No matter how many cases are plead, you will eventyually be trying a case in front of a jury. When moving into private practice, that is an important component in going to an established firm. Also, there are many aspects to criminal defense. If you aren't aware of how much a well-known DUI defense attorney makes you should probably check it out.

As far as an attorney going back to law school to switch fields, you might be correct but I would find it very hard to believe. The breadth of law is not so immense and random that any competent attorney would not be able to refence key case law and familiarize himself with that are. If I, as a police officer, can keep breadth of criminal law and recognize multiple aspects of civil law, I'm sure an attorney could.

As far as the people on the street who say "your average cop just does their job because they enjoy the power trip," I would have to say...They're right...There are more than a few cops out there who address people in a fashion that I find offensive. I wouldn't say it's the norm, but far more often than I would like.


But I'd disagree that the field of law is "a scandalous life" to begin with. And I've seen it from the inside, both as an intern and as a law student.

No offense is intended by this comment, or any other comment I have made throughout what I hope you also find as a healthy debate, but this comment, in my eyes, would be like an explorer speaking on being a cop, or an ROTC student speaking on being a soldier. The simple fact of the matter is until you have sat across from a defense attorney, trying a case in open court, you have no validity in speaking on the criminal justice system. When you do become an attorney, and I am not trying to discourage you at all, you will probably desensitize yourself to the needs and wishes of the victims of the case out of necessity, much as cops can stand and joke over the dead body of a shooting victim. If you didn't enlist that defense mechanism, you probably wouldn't be able to do the job.

And, in reference of the "scandalous" question, again I would ask, could you defend, and in the process try every trick you could to manipulate the jury into acquittal, a client that you KNEW was guilty? I couldn't, regardless of the money paid.


I'm going into criminal prosecution because I feel a push deep down in my soul to do it. If I wanted money, I'd go to business school--it's much easier and the paychecks afterward are much larger. I am doing criminal law because I think I would be good at it, and because I feel a duty to give back to the community in this way.

Then I applaud you for that decision, you have my respect and hope that you hold true to your officers and victims.

Regards,
Sandman[/quote]