Tom Sawyer Falsely Accused 🔎 A Dark Cloud with Detective Chris Lyons

This is a bonus Memorial Day episode of the NJ Criminal Podcast, featuring a segment from the Atlantic County based, Mighty MERP podcast. Host Melissa Rosenblum welcomes veterans advocate Thomas Roughneen for a discussion about Veterans Diversionary Programs in NJ. (Full MERP podcast discussion here: https://www.mightymerp.com/veterans-diversionary-programs-nj-thomas-roughneen/) The conversation discusses the effectiveness of the Veterans Diversionary Program (VDP) in New Jersey and the need for more consistency and support across counties. It highlights the importance of county bar associations in holding counties accountable and the role of mentors in the program. The conversation also touches on the lack of a specialty court for veterans in New Jersey and the potential benefits of a mental health court. The recidivism rates of veterans in the VDP are noted to be very low, and the importance of connecting veterans with VA benefits is emphasized. Takeaways The effectiveness of the Veterans Diversionary Program (VDP) in New Jersey varies across counties, and there is a need for more consistency and support. County bar associations can play a role in holding counties accountable for their implementation of the VDP. Mentors are an important component of the VDP, but there is a lack of recruitment, retention, and training of mentors in many counties. There is a need for a specialty court for veterans in New Jersey, similar to those in other states. The recidivism rates of veterans in the VDP are very low, highlighting the success of the program. Connecting veterans with VA benefits is crucial, but many veterans are unaware of the support available to them. https://www.mightymerp.com/veterans-diversionary-programs-nj-thomas-roughneen Chapters 00:00 Statewide Standardization 02:08 County Bar Associations and VDP 04:05 Specialty Court for Veterans 05:12 Status of VDPs in Different Counties 09:03 Impact of Veterans Diversionary Programs

Colonel Steven Patrick, a retired attorney and former military officer, discusses his career in law and the changes he has witnessed over the past 58 years. He graduated from law school in 1965 and began practicing law in South Jersey. He shares his experiences in the military, including his time in Germany and his service in the National Guard. Colonel Patrick also talks about his transition to criminal defense work and his experiences in the Cumberland County courts. He reflects on his numerous trials and his approach to winning cases. A retired attorney with nearly 60 years of experience, discusses the changes he has witnessed in the practice of law. He highlights the shift from individual lawyer questioning during voir dire to the judge-led questioning system, the transition from paper discovery to electronic discovery, and the increase in paperwork and forms in the legal process. Patrick also shares his thoughts on criminal justice reform, the importance of history, and the challenges of managing the business side of law. He offers advice to young lawyers and reflects on his career. Takeaways Colonel Steven Patrick has been practicing law for 58 years and has witnessed significant changes in the legal profession. He served in the military and was stationed in Germany for three years. Colonel Patrick has been a formidable criminal defense attorney in Cumberland, Cape May, and Atlantic counties. He has handled numerous trials and has a high success rate in winning cases. Colonel Patrick has no interest in becoming a prosecutor or a judge. The practice of law has undergone significant changes over the years, including the shift from individual lawyer questioning during voir dire to judge-led questioning. The transition from paper discovery to electronic discovery has made the process more time-consuming and challenging. There has been an increase in paperwork and forms in the legal process, which can be burdensome for attorneys. Criminal justice reform, including the elimination of cash bail, has had both positive and negative impacts. The study of history can provide valuable insights and perspectives for lawyers. Managing the business side of law can be challenging, and many attorneys struggle with balancing legal expertise and business acumen. Losing cases can be a valuable learning experience for young lawyers. Colonel Patrick encourages young lawyers to focus on the key elements of a case and not get caught up in nitpicking every detail. The Colonel reflects on his career and expresses gratitude for the opportunity to help others. He acknowledges the challenges faced by women in the legal profession and the prevalence of women in government legal positions. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Historical Context 07:07 Military Service and Commission 24:23 Establishing a Solo Law Practice 32:50 Trials and Winning Record 40:17 The Burden of Paperwork 50:34 Balancing Legal Expertise and Business Acumen 01:00:40 Advice for Young Lawyers

We welcome civil trial attorney Michael Warshaw to the NJ Criminal Podcast. Michael began his career clerking at the courthouse in Hudson County. 🏙️ Today he continues to practice civil litigation with Zagar Fuchs, in Red Bank, NJ. Video Episode Page: https://njcriminalpodcast.com/zagar-fuchs-michael-warshaw Selfie Background Check: https://selfiebackgroundcheck.com Zagar Fuchs: https://zagerfuchs.com/attorneys/michael-warshaw/ Cannabis Legalization in NJ: https://www.njcriminalpodcast.com/category/cannabis-legalization-nj/ Lindbergh Kidnapping Podcast: https://www.njcriminalpodcast.com/category/lindbergh-kidnapping/ Start a Niche Business Podcast: https://nichepodcastpodcast.com

Once again, we welcome Pinellas County (FL) Sheriffs Detective, Chris Lyons, to the NJ Criminal Podcast. Chris joins us to discuss the role of genetic-genealogy in DNA investigations. Chris is also a founder and Board Treasurer at the Florida Investigators Network. Video Episode Page: https://njcriminalpodcast.com/genetic-genealogy Florida Investigators Network: ⁠https://fininc.org ⁠ Selfie Background Check: ⁠https://selfiebackgroundcheck.com⁠ Cannabis Legalization in NJ: ⁠https://www.njcriminalpodcast.com/category/cannabis-legalization-nj/⁠ Lindbergh Kidnapping Podcast: ⁠https://www.njcriminalpodcast.com/category/lindbergh-kidnapping/⁠ Start a Legal Podcast: ⁠https://lawfirmpodcasts.com⁠ Start a Niche Business Podcast: ⁠https://nichepodcastpodcast.com

We welcome Pinellas County (FL) Sheriffs Detective, Chris Lyons, to the NJ Criminal Podcast. Chris joins us to discuss his role in the exoneration of Tom Sawyer in the 1986 murder of Janet Staschak. This is a cold case that he was handed almost two decades after it occurred. Chris is also a founder and Board Treasurer at the Florida Investigators Network. Video Episode Page: https://njcriminalpodcast.com/tom-sawyer-janet-staschak Florida Investigators Network: https://fininc.org Selfie Background Check: https://selfiebackgroundcheck.com Tampa Bay Times article about Tom Sawyer: https://www.tampabay.com/news/courts/criminal/after-decades-wondering-whether-hed-be-charged-with-a-murder-he-didnt/2221990/ Youtube version & highlight clips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dfp9UHXDT64 Cannabis Legalization in NJ: https://www.njcriminalpodcast.com/category/cannabis-legalization-nj/ Lindbergh Kidnapping Podcast: https://www.njcriminalpodcast.com/category/lindbergh-kidnapping/ Start a Legal Podcast: https://lawfirmpodcasts.com Start a Niche Business Podcast: https://nichepodcastpodcast.com

In 2018, a Guantanamo Bay trained nurse tortured Jarod Draper to death with a fifty-thousand volt Taser while he strapped to a steel chair in Harrison County Jail in Indiana. Any reasonable person who watches Safe Place knows they've witnessed a crime. Please help bring attention via Change.org petition ⁠https://www.change.org/p/justice-for-jarod-draper Larry Wilder is fighting for justice in the jailhouse murder of Jerod Draper. In October, 2023, the statute of limitations will expire, and justice betrayed. View the documentary, Safe Place: https://safeplacefilm.com Any reasonable person who watches Safe Place knows they've witnessed a crime. Please help bring attention via Change.org petition https://www.change.org/p/justice-for-jarod-draper A Guantanamo Bay trained nurse, named Michael Gregory, and Dustin Cundall, jail captain, were the primary actors in the jail cell when Jerod Draper was killed. While being shocked, Draper’s hands, chest, and feet were all strapped to a five-point restraint chair. His official cause of death was determined to be an overdose, but what angers his mother is how he was treated while he was alive. But the FBI refuses to investigate, and the local prosecuting attorney, Otto Shalk, does not have the juice to act on behalf of justice. If there is no legitimate effort to pursue this case, the clock will run out in Oct 2023. At that point, the guilty will get a pass for murder in Indiana. The clock is ticking. In October, 2023, the statute of limitations will expire, and the associated moral-hazard will be transferred to those who chose to look the other way, when it was their job to do otherwise. The Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice has a history of bringing charges when law enforcement officials abuse their power. To see examples of such cases: www.justice.gov/crt. - and search "using a taser" Example cases below - PA police charged: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/millvale-police-officer-charged-unlawfully-using-taser-handcuffed-person LA police charged: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdla/pr/former-mamou-police-chief-sentenced-12-months-prison-using-taser-non-combative-prisoner KY police charged: https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/1573011/download Check out other topics on NJCP: Cannabis Legalization in NJ: https://www.njcriminalpodcast.com/category/cannabis-legalization-nj/ Lindbergh Kidnapping Trial: https://www.njcriminalpodcast.com/category/lindbergh-kidnapping/ Lindbergh Kidnapping Blog Posts: https://www.njcriminalpodcast.com/blog/category/lindbergh-kidnapping/ Start a Legal Podcast: https://lawfirmpodcasts.com Start a Niche Business Podcast: https://nichepodcastpodcast.com

Welcome back to the NJCriminalPodcast.com - This episode features the return of attorney Jim Leonard for a conversation about pivoting in life and career. Hoerner Law: https://hoernerlaw.com Cannabis Legalization in NJ: https://www.njcriminalpodcast.com/category/cannabis-legalization-nj/ Lindbergh Kidnapping Trial:  https://www.njcriminalpodcast.com/category/lindbergh-kidnapping/ Lindbergh Kidnapping Blog Posts: https://www.njcriminalpodcast.com/blog/category/lindbergh-kidnapping/ Start a Legal Podcast: https://lawfirmpodcasts.com Start a Niche Business Podcast: https://nichepodcast.net

Welcome back to the NJCriminalPodcast.com - This is the third episode in this series with attorney Jim Leonard.   Hoerner Law: https://hoernerlaw.com Cannabis Legalization in NJ: https://www.njcriminalpodcast.com/category/cannabis-legalization-nj/ Lindbergh Kidnapping Trial:  https://www.njcriminalpodcast.com/category/lindbergh-kidnapping/ Lindbergh Kidnapping Blog Posts: https://www.njcriminalpodcast.com/blog/category/lindbergh-kidnapping/ Start a Legal Podcast: https://lawfirmpodcasts.com Start a Niche Business Podcast: https://nichepodcastpodcast.com

Welcome back to the part two in this conversation with attorney Jim Leonard, on the NJCriminalPodcast.com  Custom episode art: Painting of a businessman standing in the middle of a bustling city street. The sun is either setting or rising, casting orange hues on the surroundings. Emphasize new beginnings and career pivots. Capture his hopefulness through composition and use of natural lighting. The scene should be photorealistic, hopeful, uplifting and inspiring. Hoerner Law: https://hoernerlaw.com Cannabis Legalization in NJ: https://www.njcriminalpodcast.com/category/cannabis-legalization-nj/ Lindbergh Kidnapping Trial:  https://www.njcriminalpodcast.com/category/lindbergh-kidnapping/ Lindbergh Kidnapping Blog Posts: https://www.njcriminalpodcast.com/blog/category/lindbergh-kidnapping/ Start a Legal Podcast: https://lawfirmpodcasts.com Start a Niche Business Podcast: https://nichepodcast.net

Welcome back to episode #100 on the NJCriminalPodcast.com - This episode features the return of attorney Jim Leonard for a conversation about pivoting in life and career.  100th episode artwork: Painting of a businessman standing in the middle of a bustling city street. The sun is either setting or rising, casting orange hues on the surroundings. Emphasize new beginnings and career pivots. Capture his hopefulness through composition and use of natural lighting. The scene should be photorealistic, hopeful, uplifting and inspiring. Episode page: https://www.njcriminalpodcast.com/guests/james-j-leonard-jr/ Hoerner Law: https://hoernerlaw.com Cannabis Legalization in NJ: https://www.njcriminalpodcast.com/category/cannabis-legalization-nj/ Lindbergh Kidnapping Trial:  https://www.njcriminalpodcast.com/category/lindbergh-kidnapping/ Lindbergh Kidnapping Blog Posts: https://www.njcriminalpodcast.com/blog/category/lindbergh-kidnapping/ Start a Legal Podcast: https://lawfirmpodcasts.com Start a Niche Business Podcast: https://nichepodcast.net