GUILTY VA - Aveion Lewis, 2, Roanoke, 14 January 2010 #3

[Calliope]

More detail on why the judge appointed three lawyers to defend ML:

http://www.roanoke.com/columnists/angleberger/wb/243860


Here's a very important detail: While it is true that Weckstein appointed three lawyers, he agreed to pay for only one.

"They accepted the case knowing not only that there is a low cap on the amount that a lawyer can be paid for court-appointed criminal defense work, but also that that cap, normally applicable to a single lawyer, will in this case apply to all of them," he wrote. "The defendant has the benefit of a defense team able to deal with the complexity of the case -- which is significant -- at no added cost to her or the Commonwealth, and two lawyers increase their experience in cases of this sort, but (because of the presence of the senior lawyer) they will not be learning on the job in a way that might cause harm to the client."

 

[Cubby]

From the above link Calliope posted.

Both suspects remain jailed, with Brandon Lockett scheduled for trial in August and Morgan Lockett in October.

 

[Calliope]

From the above link Calliope posted.

Both suspects remain jailed, with Brandon Lockett scheduled for trial in August and Morgan Lockett in October.

good. They aren't being tried together.

 

[JLMcKenna83]

So... the judge is basically using this case as a learning tool? How is that beneficial to the state's case?

"The defendant has the benefit of a defense team able to deal with the complexity of the case -- which is significant -- at no added cost to her or the Commonwealth, and two lawyers increase their experience in cases of this sort, but (because of the presence of the senior lawyer) they will not be learning on the job in a way that might cause harm to the client."

1st bbm.. so.. So the state is paying for 2 lawyers to get an education..
2nd bbm.. Shouldn't the senior lawyer be able to handle the case himself if he is already qualified to defend a homicide case?

"While the younger lawyers have met the Commonwealth's criteria for appointment in felony cases -- and they are excellent lawyers -- neither has defended a homicide case, or case of similar gravity. One of the younger lawyers represented this defendant in related matters in J&DR [Juvenile and Domestic Relations] District Court."

wonderful.. apparently this one already helped her out when Aveion was taken away the first time.

There is nothing complex about this case. They tortured, abused, starved, and murdered Aveion. While allowing the other children in the home to watch. And they lied to police and tried to cover it all up with probably the worst kidnapping story I've ever heard! They wasted valuable community resources. What if there was a real kidnapping while all of this was happening? They had half the city and most of the state looking for Aveion for an entire week before finally admitting that they lied. While the whole time they knew that that poor baby was in the trash! These people are positively the most horrible monsters ever. They not only did what they did to Aveion, they also emotionally scarred the other children in the home permanently. What they did not only affected themselves and Aveion, but 2 other very innocent children who had no choice but to watch as their helpless brother was slowly and painfully murdered. They deserve the DP. And I am very grateful that VA is one of the states that almost fully supports that it! (almost 70%! :clap

Sorry for the rant. I'll go stand in my corner now and be quiet..

 

[Calliope]

I wouldn't be so fast to jump on the judge's decision. IMO, he's making sure ALL the i's are dotted and all the t's are crossed and that she is going to have more than adequate representation. I think he looked at the complexity of defending this charge, and made certain that she had a good legal team so that when it comes up for appeal, she'll be SOL.

KWIM?

 

[Cubby]

I agree Calliope. JL Mckenna, the article stated the state is not paying more. they are paying the normal fee for one, but the judge agreed to allow the defendent three. One very seasoned senior atty, and his two 'under studies' so to speak, which will get some learning experience working with the senior atty and not to the detriment of the client. The judge isn't getting any learning experience so to speak.

hth.

 

[Calliope]

I agree Calliope. JL Mckenna, the article stated the state is not paying more. they are paying the normal fee for one, but the judge agreed to allow the defendent three. One very seasoned senior atty, and his two 'under studies' so to speak, which will get some learning experience working with the senior atty and not to the detriment of the client. The judge isn't getting any learning experience so to speak.

hth.

Now I just pray the DA has all their ducks in a row. If she's convicted, they can't argue she had inadequate representation.

 

[JLMcKenna83]

I agree Calliope. JL Mckenna, the article stated the state is not paying more. they are paying the normal fee for one, but the judge agreed to allow the defendent three. One very seasoned senior atty, and his two 'under studies' so to speak, which will get some learning experience working with the senior atty and not to the detriment of the client. The judge isn't getting any learning experience so to speak.

hth.

I understand that the state isn't paying anymore for her defense. I just don't think Aveion's case should be used as a learning tool for other defense lawyers. that's all.. imo.. ya know?

 

[Cubby]

They have to learn somewhere. I don't have a problem with it as long as it does not cost the state any additional money. In other words, they have to have hands on training somewhere.

We can agree to disagree. :blowkiss:

 

[Calliope]

They have to learn somewhere. I don't have a problem with it as long as it does not cost the state any additional money. In other words, they have to have hands on training somewhere.

We can agree to disagree. :blowkiss:

True. I still think the judge was looking ahead to the appeals process.

 

[MBLover]

http://www2.wsls.com/sls/news/local...p-father_may_have_written_ransom_notes/98731/

Aveion Lewis’ step-father may have written ransom notes
By Scott Leamon | WSLS10 Reporter
Published: May 7, 2010
» 0 Comments | Post a Comment
ROANOKE - Forensic handwriting investigators claim in court documents that Brandon Lockett may be trying to stone-wall the investigation into the death of his step-son, Aveion Lewis.

(more at link)

 

[Calliope]

Morgan Lockett’s lawyers claim that child will live with Lockett’s mother.

The same people who didn't notice little Aveion was emaciated and had untreated burns and broken bones.

Dammit all to hell :furious::furious::furious:

 

[Cubby]

bumping for Aveion. No new news but I couldn't bare seeing his thread way down on the second page of this forum.

I haven't forgotten you Aveion.

 

[MBLover]

http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/255703

Also indicted -- again -- on charges of murdering a toddler were Brandon R'eal Lockett Sr., 24, and Morgan Elizabeth Ward Lockett, 23. The Roanoke couple are accused of killing Morgan Lockett's nearly 3-year-old son, Aveion, between Jan. 1 and Jan. 14.

Brandon Lockett had reported that Aveion was kidnapped, then told police he was dead. The boy's body was found wrapped in tape and plastic in a landfill in Roanoke County.

The Locketts had earlier been indicted on charges of felony homicide, which is a killing that occurs in the course of another felony, Roanoke Commonwealth's Attorney Donald Caldwell explained. Those charges will stand, but the Locketts also now face charges of murder, which does not rely on the existence of another felony.

Caldwell said the new charges are "based on additional evidence that's come to light" in the case, but declined to be more specific.

 

[Calliope]

Best news I've heard in a long time.

 

[Cubby]

from MBLovers link posted above (2 posts ago)

Those charges will stand, but the Locketts also now face charges of murder, which does not rely on the existence of another felony.

Excellent news! So the murder charges can stand alone and are not dependent on the other felony charge or charges.

I hope these two fry!

I think about you all the time Aveion. Gone too soon. You deserved to run, play and GROW UP in a SAFE environment. You did get to experience that for a short time in your life when you were removed from your biological family. Yes, FAMILY because no one stepped to the plate when it was no secret what Morgan and Brandon did to this child when in their care.

You will receive Justice Aveion. Play in heaven sweetie, young forever and one day I will get to meet you and give you the big hug in heaven I couldn't give you on earth.

 

[Calliope]

from MBLovers link posted above (2 posts ago)

Those charges will stand, but the Locketts also now face charges of murder, which does not rely on the existence of another felony.

Excellent news! So the murder charges can stand alone and are not dependent on the other felony charge or charges.

I hope these two fry!

I think about you all the time Aveion. Gone too soon. You deserved to run, play and GROW UP in a SAFE environment. You did get to experience that for a short time in your life when you were removed from your biological family. Yes, FAMILY because no one stepped to the plate when it was no secret what Morgan and Brandon did to this child when in their care.

You will receive Justice Aveion. Play in heaven sweetie, young forever and one day I will get to meet you and give you the big hug in heaven I couldn't give you on earth.

I thought of him just the other day while watching our little guy eating raisins

 

[MBLover]

http://www.wdbj7.com/news/wdbj7-story-lockett-082310,0,3729619.story

Motions Hearing in Roanoke Murder case
Brandon Lockett's trial delayed: LAwyers argue whether experts may testify

(more at link)

Our local NBC station carried this story on their 7 PM newscast...but dang if I can find anything on their site. They showed Brandon Lockett and it appears he has lost quite a bit of weight...I didn't even recognize it as being him. Guess jail food doesn't agree with him? Maybe he'll starve himself to death...

 

[MBLover]

http://www.wdbj7.com/news/wdbj7-story-morganlockett-090110,0,2224837.story

Case against Roanoke mother accused of murder could be postponed
Judge says he "expects to set a new date" next week

(more at link along with video)

 

[Cubby]

From the above link:

we proffer to the court has suffered, it's our understanding.. has suffered a great amount of physical and psychological abuse.

Morgan suffered? Oh good grief... and she was locked up in the house and never let out to seek help, puhlease. No, she didn't really have a job. Her presence at the school she worked at was just a figment of everyones imagination. Her presence with CPS and at the courts to fight to regain custody of Aveion was also just a figment of everyones imagination.

:furious: :furious: :furious:

This woman needs to get real and face the fact that a warm body in her bed was more important than her childrens wellbeing and safety....the fact she CHOSE to not only allow him to beat her son to death she did nothing about it AND chose to allow herself to become impregnated with his child. Reality will hit her when her trial is over, she's convicted and placed into the GP- and that will not happen soon enough for both Morgan and Brandon. Life behind bars in the GP will STILL BE TOO GOOD for these two.

Looking at her in that video, she sure looks scared chitless. She should have showed that kind of concern for her son while he was alive rather than saving it for her poor- me self while she is looking at facing life behind bars or worse. Perhaps if she did, Aveion would still be alive. :furious:

:furious: