Piney Woods Justice

In a heated Republican race for the spot on the bench of the 159th District Court in Angelina County, Texas, you heard me interview Al Charanza.  Now it's turn for his opponent, Todd Kassaw to tell you why he's the better choice!  Make no mistake, they are both good men.  However, they do come from different legal backgrounds.  Mr. Charanza started his career in the JAG in the marines.  Mr. Kassaw was a well-respected personal injury lawyer.  Where they don't clash however, is over the devotion they both claim to bring to the bench if elected and their promise to serve to the best of their ability.  I know both of these find men personally, and I do believe they'll do what they say.  It's hard to choose, but please - go out and VOTE!  Your ballot counts!

A hot election is taking place in Angelina County to replace Paul White as the District Judge of the 159th District Court.  The position presides over felony cases in the county including the worst of the worst - murder trials, as well as civil cases involving millions of dollars!  Two men, both of upstanding moral turpitude and active contributors in the local community, are vying for the position.  First we interview Al Charanza, a noted criminal defense attorney who has also handled a variety of cases both in private practice and in the Marine corp.  Listen in to Al who shares his qualifications as well as outlook on what it takes to rule from the bench in the heart of the Piney Woods.

Kevin Dutton shares the rewards and challenges of presiding as District Attorney over two east Texas counties, San Augustine and Sabine on the shores of Lake Sam Rayburn.  From a tiny office run on a meager budget to a full- blown department, he shares some of the growing pains he's experienced over the years, including the effects two years of COVID have had on crime in his communities.  This candid interview occurred literally as we stepped out of the courtroom during our lunch break from a full day in district court, hearing criminal arraignments and pleas. After many previous episodes interviewing defense attorneys and defendants, this one reveals the State's perspective, and all of the duties and obligations that go with it. 

Through childhood sexual abuse to a step-dad who suffered a broken back working offshore and then dying of brain cancer, Kayla May has lived through seemingly unsurmountable tragedies.  By escaping through drugs and older men, she found herself once  again the victim of domestic violence and facing felony criminal charges.  Kayla May discovered her peace, sobriety and a renewed faith in her Savior, in the sweet mentoring ladies of the Christian Women's Job Core Mosaic Program, and Judge White's Drug Court.  Now you'll find her living her dream life in the countryside with horses, chickens, and even a pet pig.  She enjoys her children and the love of her life who is also winning the battle against mental illness and drug addiction.  If you think there's no hope, listen to what Kayla May has accomplished!  You'll be amazed.

Meet Sean Hightower.  Sean was a member of the first graduating class of the brand new Texas A&M law school who came to practice law by way of a full ride debate scholarship to Stephen F. Austin State University which is where coincidentally (?) he returned to practice law with his long-time mentor, Tim James.  The majority of his cases are first time DWIs with the college students.  He learned passing out koozies at the tailgate parties on campus boosted his business!  Sean has won many awards for his service but nothing beats receiving payment in the form of goats, chickens, tractors and tamales!  He wouldn't have it any other way.  His most memorable case to date involved a murder suspect who shot her husband through the eye as he doused her with gasoline.  Although the DA promised to dismiss the charge, eight years later, Sean was told to pick a jury, they were going to trial the next week.  He ended up losing that verdict, only to have it overturned on appeal because the Judge made some bad calls.  Not only that, but the State's prosecutor hid evidence which ultimately cost her her job.  It's the wild west in east Texas, where anything goes, but justice prevails!

An old soul who's seen it all, Chinta Spikes doesn't sugarcoat her tale of early childhood abuse from her mother, including beatings with an extension cord that made her bleed.  She went on to be involved in several marriages that only led to more abuse for her and her children.  A mixture of crack, alcohol and marijuana took her down a dead end path of lying, cheating and even stealing from her own children until one day, soaked in urine with a knife at her throat, she begged God to save her, show her a better life and put her in the company of those who could help her.  Amazingly it was in jail that she met her future mentor, Theresa Stribling, a kind hearted woman who held Bible Studies with incarcerated women.  Chinta told the Judge she wanted Drug Court, not residential treatment and not prison bars.  She admitted she needed help because her criminal actions were for one purpose only - to feed her and her husband's habits.  Freed from those chains of addiction, Chinta is now a happy wife and mother, attending college and giving the glory to God.  You'll be amazed at what she's endured and how she's come out the other side smiling!

Every defense attorney longs for that glory moment when he's cross-examining a key witness for the State, who admits on the stand, "Yes, I lied.  I made it up 'cause I'm crazy!"  and your client goes free! Jim shares these moments and many more.  (He calls them "Matlock experiences)  Sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction.  That's when criminal law can prove very entertaining.He also reveals those cases, dear to his heart, that keep him going, loving his profession,  the ones that motivate him to keep the good fight day after day assuring that he truly makes a difference in the life of a client.Politically, Jim declares himself a Libertarian, someone who upholds our Constitution, especially the Bill of Rights, and believes on his best days, he's one who fights to ensure that no government takes away his client's God-given sovereign rights.  Although he is friends with many judges and prosecutors, he strongly believes that limiting government is in everyone's best interest.  When the criminal justice system allows criminals to be seen as real people, then our entire society climbs up a notch.You can reach him on facebook, Jim Squyres, or contact his office located at 207 E. Frank St.,  Lufkin TX  936 633-7582

Brent Tanksley shares his own recovery journey as we explore the psychology of addiction.  Brent is a well known substance abuse counselor, or as he likes to put it, a substance use disorder, counselor.  He has worked with agencies such as the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council of East Texas, which covers several counties.  He has worked at the Cypress Residential Treatment Center in Woodville, TX,  Brent opened his own men's sober house in Lufkin, TX, and is currently the Program Dir. at Hughes Counseling working with individuals referred from the courts, probation, child protective services or people who voluntarily seek help and healing.  Please note the Hughes Counseling Center also treats individuals through couples counseling, grief and trauma counseling, co-occurring disorders and youth/family counseling too.We dive deep into issues such as what is the root cause of addition?  Why or when does it actually start in life?  Is it an illness?  What does it take to heal?  What experiment did the Portugal govt. try to eradicate addiction, and other fascinating aspects of the psychology of addiction.

March 2020 Valeria, a 54 year old mentally ill African-American who pleads guilty to aggregated theft of over 1.3 million, is sentenced in Conroe, TX to 70 years in the Texas State Penitentiary. But was she really guilty? Due to repeated, heated arguments with her second attorney on the case, she desperately changed her plea to guilty the day before jury selection. The arguments continue as she files two grievances against him and he files two Motions to Withdraw. It's not until her sentencing hearing when an outburst in the middle of court convinces the Judge to dismiss Mr. LeGrand from representing Valeria. But is she competent to represent herself? Exasperated with the entire proceeding, the Judge halts the hearing mid-way and permits Valeria a few days grace to hire someone else. Jim Squyres enters the fray as her third attorney, but only receives the hundreds of pages of State's evidence, comprised of detailed accounting records implicating a swindling scam concerning temp agencies and medical personnel, one day before sentencing resumes. Completely ineffective at defending Valeria, she was doomed. But who is the mystery man claiming to be Dennis Temple from Ghana? He submitted bizarre videos of himself to the DA where he admits to masterminding the entire scheme, saying Valeria is actually his victim! Stay tuned for the wildest ride ever! Folks, I couldn't even make this stuff up. You be the judge.

This Episode I answered Kristy Waters' question about how to change a statute regarding liquor laws in her town of Lufkin, TX.What authority does the Federal Govt. have over Texas liquor laws?Why are so many counties in Texas different regarding their alcohol statutes?How can a regular citizen get a law changed?I also explain the meaning of commonly confused legal terms for someone charged with their first felony; words like: "Indicted" "Arraignment" "Discovery" "Voir Dire" and describe a scenario where the fictional Bryan, is stopped by law enforcement with dope in his car and two other passengers. What to do, how it can play out, and what the process involves for someone who is trying to understand criminal procedure in Texas. In my next Q & A, I'll take the process even further and explain how plea hearings work. . . Lots of good questions!Finally, Megan Flores asked, "What was your most interesting case?" Tough question! One I particularly enjoyed working on was for the District Attorney's office - the TWO jury trials of Jarred Holland, for the murder of his girlfriend. That was while I was in law school, interning for the DA, Clyde Herrington. She got me thinking though, and there are a couple of others I'll have to record. More on those later.Listen in and as always, if YOU have any questions, please comment on my Facebk page, Georgia B. Kimmey, Attorney at Law or find me on Instagram under g kimmey.

21 years old and already lived more than enough for one lifetime. Erika was no stranger to the criminal justice system having been first detained at age 15 in 9th grade for stealing her Uncle's car and totaling it on the way to her boyfriend's house late at night. In and out of jail and rehabs, in-between Texas and Oregon from boyfriend to boyfriend, drug to drug, she managed to have a sweet baby girl of her own but couldn't hold on to her after being unsuccessfully discharged from the Angelina County Drug Court program and the Mantooth Womens Sober House in Lufkin, TX. She tells her story with honesty, regrets and humor. FYI: Terms that she mentions, that you might not recognize."PO" is when she refers to her Probation Officer."VINES" is a nation-wide alert program for victims' information, notifying them when their perpetrator is released from prison and where, so the victims can prepare. "NORCOR" is an adult and juvenile correction facility located in Oregon."Judge Paul White and Judge Bob Inselmann" are District Judges in Angelina County, Texas presiding over the 159th and 217th District Courts. Each has their own Drug Court program for felony probationers."Bay Area" is a 90 day in-patient treatment center located near Galveston, TX. It is not a lock down facility.

Brad has been counseling addicts for several years with the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council of East Texas (ADAC). He works with the Angelina County Probation Dept. as well as the 159th District Drug Court program. He's got an incredible story of his own that led him to a point in his life where he was released from prison, and had a choice. He could go back to his old lifestyle or start fresh and create a life of purpose with a mission to help others. He's been a sweet friend. You'll enjoy listening to his story. Hold on to your hat because it's a wild ride! Note: ADAC provides free assessments, group and individual counseling with offices throughout east Texas. You can reach them at 936 634-5753 at their main office in Lufkin. If it's determined that someone needs immediate Detox services or even up to 90 day in-patient treatment, they can arrange that for free as well.

Dana Williams calls it as she sees it and that ain't always pretty. She's a defense attorney in Livingston, Texas, just north of Houston. Dana describes some of the unfair practices common in the criminal justice system and why it's so important to have an attorney who will fight for you. By the way, she's also the elected Chief Tribal Judge of the Alabama-Coushatta tribe just outside of Livingston and explains a little about that role. You'll love her perspective and sense of duty. She's a winner!

Drug Court is a program for defendants on felony probation. In Lufkin, Texas Judge Paul White started such a program sixteen years ago because he was tired of sending the same people to prison over and over just to see them reappear in his courtroom. 95% of all prison inmates who have a substance abuse problem will be right back in within two years of release UNLESS they do something to overcome that addiction. Edward, Bubba, Norman is one of those people who was tired after nineteen years of a meth habit had destroyed his marriage and caused him to lose his family. He was out of work and desperate when he was arrested. He needed to change and had the guts to do it! Here is his story, in his own words of how he got into his downward spiral and what he had to do to climb out. His recovery journey is one of hope and inspiration.

Ryan shares his personal stories of how he became a lawyer, what it's like practicing criminal and family law in East Texas and the surprising details of several of his most interesting cases: how he exonerated a young man from a theft charge when all the evidence pointed at him, and what happened in three of his famous capital murder jury trials. Check out his candid up-front look at practicing law. Trailer music provided by Texas singing & song writing award winner, Steven James and the Jaded.