11 NOV 08: LUMPKIN CENTERED

Happy Veterans Day to you. Today we mark 90 years since the end of World War I. Some called it the "war to end all wars" - but those people obviously haven't lived in Columbus for any length of time.

The latest issue which has people taking sides is the case of Frank Lumpkin III. Well, it's really more than his case - because I found out Monday the teenager he's accused of shooting was also arrested, on a much higher bond. The teen's attorney is unhappy with that, even though in some gangs a big bond would be a bragging point.

Attorney Derrell Dowdell gave several interviews Monday about the Frank Lumpkin III case, including one with this blog. Among other things, Dowdell said he's "appalled but not shocked" that his client was assessed a $35,000 bond while Lumpkin's bond was $2,500. Some would argue the teen's bond is 14 times higher because he has that many convictions....

Derrell Dowdell maintains Frank Lumpkin III should have been held on a much higher bond for shooting the teenager. He wants more charges imposed, yet he also wants the District Attorney to step aside, in favor of a special prosecutor. Don't simply go away, Gray Conger -- go away mad.

Last week's election has NOT changed one thing in Derrell Dowdell's view. He told me he wants incoming District Attorney Julia Slater to recuse herself from the Frank Lumpkin III case, as he wants incumbent Gray Conger to do. Oh dear - this could spark rumors about which judge Slater is dating.

Derrell Dowdell used to be an Assistant District Attorney under Gray Conger. He says it was "known" in recent years that Conger was romantically involved with Judge Julia Lumpkin, who's the brother of Frank Lumpkin III. Known?! I guess I need to stop by the 12^th Street Tavern more often after work.

But Derrell Dowdell says there are more important reasons why all local prosecutors should recuse themselves. He says too many prominent Columbus families are involved -- and he doubts District Attorney Gray Conger is competent to handle the case. There's an easy way to settle that doubt, of course. Delegate the case to one of those assistants....

We asked Derrell Dowdell about the issues raised in an e-mail posted here Monday. He argued if his teenage client has 15 prior arrests, that should have dissuaded Frank Lumpkin III and his friends even more from attempting a "citizen's arrest" over a stolen SUV. This assumes something, of course - that Lumpkin knew who did it, and conducted a background check first.

"They're just kids!" Derrell Dowdell contended about the people accused of stealing Frank Lumpkin III's Navigator. He said there was no justification for Lumpkin's group to show up at a convenience store with weapons. Here's hoping he makes the same comment at high schools and recreation centers -- as people there could be more likely to have that idea.

Derrell Dowdell also told me he's trying to arrange a meeting with Police Chief Ricky Boren. He wants to know why the people riding with Frank Lumpkin III were not arrested. At least no one can accuse the police of rushing to make false arrests THIS time....

In addition to that, Derrell Dowdell discussed a civil suit against at least Frank Lumpkin III. "Anyone who knows me knows I'm going to file civil action." Silly me - asking an attorney if he's going to file a lawsuit is like asking the chef at Bludau's if he plans to prepare a dinner.

Derrell Dowdell was ready to talk about all kinds of fine points, involving facts and evidence in the Frank Lumpkin III case. He seemed surprised that I haven't analyzed every detail of the surveillance tape. I eventually had to explain something to Dowdell -- I do NOT work for the newspaper.

Richard Hyatt's web site noted the other day that the Frank Lumpkin III case will go to a grand jury. But given the transition in District Attorneys, it's hard to believe that will happen quickly. The Kenneth Walker case didn't go before a grand jury until 11 months after the shooting - making that "speedy trial" slower than a baseball season.

For now, I'm content to let both sides in the Frank Lumpkin III case pile up their stacks of facts and bags of evidence -- and from what I'm reading online, they're doing exactly that. But Darrell Dowdell is sure that Lumpkin will be punished at some point. We'll see if Lumpkin owes damages, goes to prison - or if he's simply barred from the family reunion.

What do we think of the World Series of Poker's grand finale? Find out at our poker blog, "On the Flop!"

E-MAIL UPDATE: It seemed at times Monday like we couldn't please anybody. Our exclusive interview with former Rigdon Road School Principal Phyllis Jones brought a response from the reader who first raised questions about her:

Interesting Blog.

I think you better let someone else deal with the investigative reporting...you are not very effective at it. To trusting and to gullible. Of course that is better than the other so called reporting agencies around here. They are just to dishonest and under the thumb of the powers that be.

Might wanna let someone else handle the comedy because I ain't laughing. It was my tax money that was stolen...even though at least some of it was paid back.

Thanks.

Wow - I'm too trusting?! If I ever try online dating, I'll be sure to include that quote in my profile....

At least we don't trust the rumors we receive in our InBox, especially when they involve well-known people. We try to get their side of the story, so they don't get a lawyer and sue us for libel.

But at this point, the burden of proof seems to be on the rumor-spreaders. If they have evidence beyond what they've heard, we invite them to send it to us. But mere rumors usually aren't allowed in a U.S. court of law - and in Britain, Hear'Say went out of style about six years ago.

One week after the vote, the debate also continues about the Muscogee County Sheriff's race:

Richard, Only jerk is the reader who wrote that comment on your blog, the bottom line is John Darr has no leadership abilities or any ideas on what he needs change first in the Sheriffs Office. "You can't learn that by putting a leadership book under your pillow at night". Only plan that John had during his campaign was to work with his employees a novel idea considering this is where most of the changes must occur first. Never once did he mention what he going to about the over crowding issue or how is going to reestablish community relations and public trust of the Sheriffs Department.

John had once asked me outside the 4th Street Baptist Church during the campaign if would hire him back once I won the race, my response to him was "sure I would be glad too". We all know that the vote came down to party line and I could have ran as democratic and won that race. no great surprise there. John Darr could have never won that race without my consistent and relentless' attacks on Ralph Johnson, just ask anyone that attended our Candidate Forums. Ed Dubose and Greg Countryman also stated that they were very impressed with ideas I had, but they promised their support to John before they knew I was in the race. The demographics in politics will change again in 2012 and will be back with plenty of support and win this race. www.marklajoye.com

Only days before the election, outgoing Sheriff Ralph Johnson gave William Howell of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition a tour of the Muscogee County Jail. Howell wanted to see if overcrowding was a problem. It was noteworthy that he didn't offer to house any inmates himself, to ease the problem.

So to hear Mark LaJoye tell it, he was the "pit bull" in the Sheriff's race. But I would never compare him with Sarah Palin, by suggesting he wear lipstick....

But if Mark LaJoye expects Ed DuBose of the Georgia NAACP and Muscogee County Marshal Greg Countryman to change their allegiance in 2012, he could be sadly disappointed. I've only known DuBose to back a Republican on one occasion - when he bought that car from Rob Doll Nissan.

So what else made news Monday? Let's check around and see....

+ Richard Hyatt's web site reported two Columbus High School students have set up a Facebook group which denigrates President-Elect Obama with racist language. This again shows the lack of a news-related local talk show on Columbus radio - because countless rednecks would want to learn about this, and add racist comments of their own.

+ WRBL showed a wrecking ball knocking down walls at the fire-damaged Bibb Mill. The front facade facing 38^th Street will NOT be knocked down for the time being. This could be the most unusual racquetball court I've ever tried....

+ Columbus State University reported a record fall enrollment of almost 8,000 students. There's only one way Columbus Technical College can keep up with this - and I'm not sure Brookstone School would share its football field during the fall.

+ The Columbus Cottonmouths lost to Huntsville 4-2, in an unusual Monday night game. You'd think Monday night hockey could be as successful as Monday night football. There's hard hitting. There are dramatic moments when scores are more likely. If only hockey would allow players to punt the pucks with their skates....

COMING SOON: Why blogging on weekends may become more difficult than ever....

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