Conti update article: "Watchtower Loses Conti Appeal - But Fights On"

by cedars 147 Replies latest watchtower child-abuse

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  blindnomore

  The WTBTS has not lost any appeals, and has actually achieved more success in its post trial motions than most losing defendants do.

  That is Watchtower's biggest downfall. Watchtower has suceessfully deceived everyone of their true identity. Things won't be as easy for Watchtower anymore. Watchtower is facing a very much different legal issue this time with the mindset of 1950's.

  I personally know of one person raised a JW who went to school for the expressed purpose of becomeing a lawyer for the Organization. I think, but I'm not totally sure, that the Org actually paid for his law school. Watchtower is sending JWs to law school and paying for their entire tuitions for purpose of becoming lawyers for the Organization. The CO mentioned this in his talk during his visiting in late 2007. I do not believe this info was a part of the outline, thought.
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  144001

  Cedars,

  I'm sorry for the implication that you intended to mislead people. I don't believe that this was ever your intention, and I believe your motives were always good ones.

  Thank you for changing the title to an accurate one. Your article still has the same punch it had before the change!
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  cedars

  144001

  Thank you for changing the title to an accurate one. Your article still has the same punch it had before the change!

  No hard feelings. The important thing is that the information is now completely accurate. Again, I appreciate your suggestion and I'm glad you know I'm not looking to deceive anyone.

  Many thanks indeed.

  Cedars
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  kepler

  LisaB, BlindNoMore,

  Thanks. Interesting.

  So now that part of the legal supply line is taken care of ( JW students in pre-law university programs followed by law school), how does the Org address the problem of taking an oath to practice at the bar, defending the Constitution of the United States and the State in which they practice? Has this requirement withered away like the passport requirement? Or is something else afoot?

  K.
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  BlindersOff1

  Keep up the good work Cedars. Many of us recognize your effort and expertise .
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  Diest

  Great Article.

  How do we know if Rick Simons is a Solicitor or a Barrister? I thought he was a Lawyer or Attorney....
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  144001

  Diest:

  Mr. Simons is licensed as an attorney in California. Based on what I've read about him, I don't think he is a barrister or a solicitor in the UK.

  He has a very impressive pedigree, including Boalt Hall (UC Berkeley's school of law), and big success on the lawsuits against the catholic church for sex abuse. Ms. Conti is well-represented, and the result of her trial corroborates that fact.

  I don't give the WTBTS good odds on the appeal, even with the great lawyers they have. It's very difficult to get an appellate court to overturn a jury verdict. I think the WTBTS will fight the appeal, and while they are fighting it, attempt to effect a confidential settlement with Ms. Conti for a lesser amount. They will try to leverage Ms. Conti with the threat of it taking years for her to collect on her judgment.

  I hope she sticks it out and makes them pay the full amount!
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  Band on the Run

  When I was admitted to the bar, I was flooded with memories of JWs as I raised my arm and took an oath to defend the federal and state const'n with my life. My mom was expelled from school b/c of flag salute. I was elated.

  I have often wondered how Witnesses swear the oath. It would appear to be unconst'l to deny someone admission b/c they have religion objections to swearing an oath. Regular witnesses testifying had alternate means of showing their veracity besides swearing an oath. I never heard of anyone refusing to take the oath but I am certain it has happened.

  Regardless of the formalities, though, lawyers are officers of the court. We serve the judicial system besides our clients. Duties exist. I don't see how the basic statutory duties of a lawyer can be avoided by not swearing an oath. Lawyers are so enmeshed. Even William Kunstler made me wonder b/c how bad as the system was, in his view, he practiced within its confines.

  I've told others here that I wrote to the female lawyer after stumbling upon her law review article about Japanese Witnesses in WWII. Tears came as I recalled how I both physically and emotionally fought for the right to graduate high school. When my JW father died, I was facing a date with a judge to enter a foster home so that I could graduate. I was thrown down stairs, etc. How does she curry favor with Jehovah? Why could she use her intelligence and passion while I had to clean rooms at Bethel. She never responded.

  Her article's title excited me b/c I know almost nothing about the Japanese JW experience. She never reported it. Individual JWs were not mentioned. The regular Witnesses who faced such persecution were unimportant to even be named. No, her article reported how brave Joe Rutherford thwarted the Japanese from Brooklyn, NY, protected by federal and state law enforcement agencies that he deemed venal.

  If anyone has further insight on how Witness lawyers or doctors feel about being permitted to be educated while similarly situated Witnesses are not allowed an education, I am most interested. How they can serve Caesar and the Witness borg at the same time is another area of interest.
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  Diest

  I know, I was just joking about the term solicitor...it wast very funny. EOM
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  mP

  Why doesnt she force the WTS to buy N ads on TV for a week or month and make a formal apology for the pedo policy ? Thts what i would do.