ALERT ON BLOOD REFUSAL CASE/ALBERTA/SHUNNED FATHER

by hawkaw 19 Replies latest watchtower medical

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  hawkaw

  As all should be aware, Lawrence Hughes daughter has leukemia and is in the 4th and final stage of treatment. The JWs are still fighting to have the daughter declared an adult instead of a minor so she can kill herself instead of receiving a life saving blood transfusion. Now Lawrence's lawyer refuses to help anymore even though 1 case is on appeal at the supreme court and a second trial is starting in Alberta on Monday June 17, 2002.

  Thus, I sent the following letter to Lawrence's Hughes (former) lawyer with a copy to the press. You may wish to offer your 2 cent too.

  hawk

  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  xxxxx

  June 14, 2002

  McCarthy Tetrault LLP, Suite 3300, 421-7th Avenue SW Calgary, Alberta T2P 4K9 Tel: 403 260-3500 Fax: 403 260-3501 Email: [email protected]

  Attention: Mr. Robert Calvert, Q.C., Partner

  Dear Mr. Calvert:

  Re: Legal Representation for Lawrence Hughes and Saving his Daughter's Life

  My name is xxxxxxxx and I reside in Ontario. I have become acquainted with Mr. Lawrence Hughes and have assisted him in obtaining help from a number of people. These people have assisted him in his daughter's case that deals with the Jehovah's Witnesses blood transfusion ban. I am aware that you were representing Lawrence's legal interests in this matter and that you are one of the best lawyers in the country.

  Mr. Hughes informed me that he has "racked up" an approximately $80,000 dollar legal bill with your law firm and he has managed to pay $8,000. Mr. Hughes also indicated that you could not represent him in any legal cases dealing with saving his daughter's life until he pays his legal bill in full.

  As you are aware, Mr. Hughes along with the Alberta Children Services and Hospital have one case at the Supreme Court on a "leave to appeal" matter and a second case that is about to proceed on June 17, 2002.

  You apparently have refused to give Lawrence any more help and now Lawrence will have to represent himself in court to try and save his daughter's life. As a Provincial Officer in the Province of Ontario I know just how insane it is to represent one's self in a court of law. I have seen time and again innocent, good heart people try to represent themselves and by the time the trial is done they look like complete idiots and have lost the case.

  Also, I have been informed that the Alberta Children Services has reduced their Witness list to just one individual for the second case. Lawrence spent a lot of time obtaining evidence to help the court in the second upcoming trial understand the situation and give the court a reason why it should keep his daughter from killing herself.

  I am absolutely stunned that you would give up on Lawrence during his greatest time of need. Lawrence's wife and family have left him and have taken just about everything out of the house. The Alberta Government is apparently trying to NOT vigorously defend and protect the daughter like they did in the first case. I am amazed the man can get up in the morning.

  You know, like I do, who is actually funding and representing Lawrence's daughter in this case. They are not going to stop. If the Watchtower win this second case or if the first case goes to a full blown appeal at the Supreme Court, there is a good chance that Lawrence's innocent daughter will die. His daughter is just about to finish her last stage of treatment. Can you not get this case to point where she can at least finish off her therapy?

  I know you spent a lot of time and effort to get where you are today and so has your outstanding law firm. I also hate it when clients do not pay on a certain time frame. But this is a matter of life and death. If the Watchtower wins this case, it will begin to use this case law throughout Canada to hurt more children.

  I have noted that the Canadian Press and other news organizations are following this story closely and no doubt will do follow up articles on the story. From an "optics" point of view, I don't know how you could stop representing someone who is trying to save their daughter's life while the press is reporting the story. I could see you not representing a client on a matter dealing with traffic ticket but we are talking LIFE or DEATH here.

  I and others have been working to publicize Lawrence's plight at numerous locations, in order that funds are raised to pay you.

  Please reconsider what you are doing to Lawrence and help him save his daughter's life. If you require further information or clarification please contact me at xxxxxxxx..

  Thank you for taking the time to read my letter.

  Yours truly,

  XXXXX

  c: Carol Harrington, Canadian Press: [email protected]

  - Lawrence Hughes,[email protected]

  Edited by - hawkaw on 14 June 2002 11:2:51

  Edited by - hawkaw on 14 June 2002 11:28:13

  Edited by - hawkaw on 14 June 2002 11:31:23
• 

  peaceloveharmony

  i wish i was wealthy, i'd totally pay for his lawyer :(:(
• 

  hawkaw

  edited

  Edited by - hawkaw on 14 June 2002 14:24:13
• 

  hawkaw

  Mr. Calvert just responded and indicated the crown is where the problem lies and he is helping Lawrence out but not at trial. He has also donated a lot of free time during this case but Lawrence owes $180,000.

  My personal opinion on this response is Lawrence's lawyer doesn't want to do anymore "real" work for Lawrence especially when others are letting him down such as the crown and the Alberta Children Services. If the Crown is fumbling the ball, Lawrence's lawyer should be in their picking up the pieces and representing him at trial.

  I will Email him later.

  hawk

  Edited by - hawkaw on 14 June 2002 13:14:49
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  BeautifulGarbage

  Hawk,

  I want to thank you for your efforts in keeping the board informed on this matter.

  I am not privy as to how the Canadian court system works. A question. Who is the "crown"? Is that the government?

  It sends chills down my spine to think that the WTS might win this case on appeal.

  Andee
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  hawkaw

  The crown is like the US Attorney or the District Attorney in the United States.

  9 Canadian Provinces, the Territories and the Feds practice common law just like the USA and Britain except for the Province of Quebec which practices ...... god I forget .... brain cramp ...... ugggh...Napolonic(sp?) Law.

  hawk
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  LDH

  Hawk is there any possibility of media coverage there in Canada for a fundraiser?

  What I mean is, here locally, the news will cover fundraisers like Car Washes etc etc.

  We have a young (4 yo) girl dying of leukemia, and she has been featured on the news more times than I can count.

  "Bake Sale Saturday"

  "Car Wash Sunday"

  etc.

  Not sure how the media works there but I'm sure if someone would organize a fund-raiser you could get press coverage for it.

  If I lived there I would do it in a red hot minute.

  Still cogitating here in Fresno.

  Lisa
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  Scully

  Andee:

  In Canada, "the crown" refers to the highest level of government.

  Canadians say "The Crown vs. So-and-so" the same way Americans say "The State vs. So-and-so", or "The People vs. So and so".

  Love, Scully
• 

  hawkaw

  My second Email went to Calvert and stated the following:

  June 14, 2002

  Mr. Calvert,

  Thank you for your speedy reply and your concern shown for Lawrence.

  I am glad you are working daily with Lawrence. However, I must express a concern that you, as Lawrence's lawyer, cannot do the serious work for Lawrence in this case (fighting the Appeal and representing him at trial) especially at a time when it appears others are letting him and his daughter's life down - such as the Alberta Children Services.

  Even though it appears a decision was made months ago on no representation for Lawrence at this 2nd trial, the Crown changed their game plan and now appears to be "fumbling the ball". I would hope you, as Lawrence's lawyer, would be in a position to pick up the pieces and represent him at this 2nd trial. Trial is where outstanding people like you make or break a case. Also arguing "leave to appeal" and "appeal" at the supreme court is just as important and is needed .

  As I indicated previously, I understand what it is like not to be paid. And if your anything like me I know you have done a lot of voluntary work in a case like this.

  But please reconsider what you are doing to Lawrence and help him ensure that he saves his daughter's life. As a suggestion ..... [edited]

  Again thank you for responding to my letter during your busy day and all the best.

  xxxxxxx
• 

  nancee park

  Dear Mr Calvert,
  
  Emailing you from the United States, we want you and your entire legal firm to know that we are fully informed via internet posting that you "so far" refuse to go the final mile to save Lawrence Hughe's daughters life, dumping it off near the end out of monetary considerations. And this same information is going to not just ourselves but instantly to thousands of other readers and those to whom they pass along the information.

  Reference for example:
  http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/forum/thread.asp?id=30210&site=3

  This is very saddening, and seems unwise in that word of it will certainly go to those in your community now and in the future, and they will see it as a reflection that your entire legal firm may not be relied upon.

  Therefore please reconsider, and do your final duty and whole-heartedly at that so as to restore everyone's confidence in not just yourself but, as said, those working with you at the legal firm in Calgary.
  Doubtlessly your peers in the legal profession and political establishment across Canada would expect no less of you for to do otherwise would not speak well of the justice system in general.

  So, much is riding upon how you finally dispose of this matter. To further convince you and those with you as to the singular importance of this, you will find part of a list of emails for "movers and shakers" in church groups throughout the U.S. and, yes, to some extent in Canada.

  Via those groups millions of their followers may be notified also. Those of us in "The Free Christians movement" have helped battle long and hard against the Watchtower Society's coverup abetting pedophilia and other misdeeds including wrongful deaths such as dealt with in this case.

  Locally, right there in Calgary, your disposition of this case is also most relevant. The internet also ready access to emails and websites addresses of businesses and individuals there too so that all may be appraised on such matters.

  We prefer to believe that you and those with you will do the right thing, though, not just because of what any others might think, but simply because you and your colleagues truly do care. After all, you would not have gone 95% of the way with Lawrence as you already have if you did not care at least 95%, isn't that right?! Therefore I close sending our sincere best wishes in your efforts to help keep not only save the life of Lawrence's daughter but that of other children and grandchildren who will be impacted by this truly precedent setting case long into the future.

  Sincerely,

  Troy Brown
  Editor-Moderator
  Free Christians News