Re: State of Florida v. Spaziano

Re: State of Florida v. Spaziano

Spaziano, Joe

Trials

Litigation

James M. Russ, an Orlando, Florida lawyer sends Mello his “professional admiration” for his work on the Spaziano case, as well as a memorandum by Spaziano to Judge Eaton and the State of Florida’s Memorandum of Law.

Russ, James M.

HIST 298, University of Mary Washington

1996-01-19

The materials in this online collection are held by Special Collections, Simpson Library, University of Mary Washington and are available for educational use. For this purpose only, you may reproduce materials without prior permission on the condition that you provide attribution of the source.

2 JPGs

300 DPI

English

Florida

Maine

JAMES M. RUSS*
TAD A. YATES

*CERTIFIED CRIMINAL TRIAL AND CRIMINAL APPELLATE LAWYER BY THE FLORIDA BAR BOARD OF CERTIFICATION

*CERTIFIED CRIMINAL TRIAL ADVOCATE BY THE NATIONAL BOARD OF TRIAL ADVOCACY


LAW OFFICES OF JAMES M. RUSS
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION
TINKER BUILDING
18 WEST PINE STREET
ORLANDO, FLORIDA
ZIP CODE 32801-2697
(407) 849 - 6050
FAX (407) 849 - 6059

LEGAL ASSISTANTS
LORI A. LAKEMAN
M. CHERIE HECKFORD

January 19, 1996

PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL

Michael Mello, Esquire
Vermont Law School
Chelsea Street
South Royalton, Vermont

Re: State of Florida v. Spaziano
Case No. 75-430-CFA, Circuit Court, Eighteenth
Judicial Circuit, Seminole County, Florida

Dear Professor Mello:

Enclosed is Mr. Spaziano’s January 18, 1996 memorandum to Circuit Judge Eaton, which essentially summarizes his evidentiary earring which was held between January 8 and January 15, 1996, in the Circuit Court, Eighteenth Judicial Circuit, Seminole County, Florida.

But for your courage and fortitude, which were evidenced in your 1995 actions on behalf of Mr. Spaziano, there is no question but that he would be dead today. I write to thank you for the courageous efforts you made on his behalf, in the face of criticism by both the Florida Supreme Court and the legal profession.

I also write to thank you for the excellent materials which you created during the Summer of 1995 which were filed in the Florida Supreme court, and which you shared with us. These materials were of immeasurable help to all of us in coming to an early understanding of this case under then-existing severe time pressure. As you can see from the enclosed legal memorandum, at the evidentiary hearing the points and the witnesses you previously developed were presented to Judge Eaton in support of the motion for new trial.

Also enclosed is a copy of the State’s Memorandum of Law, which arrived at my office as i was dictating this letter.

Michael Mello, Esquire
January 19, 1996
Page 2

Judge Eaton will probably rule in this case shortly after you receive this letter and legal memorandum. Irrespective of Judge Eaton’s decision, I want to record in this letter my professional admiration for you and my appreciation for everything you have done.

Very truly yours,

James M Russ (signature)

James M. Russ

JMR:ch

Enclosures
Mr. Spaziano’s Memorandum of Law on Evidence of Newly Discovered Evidence and Recantation
State’s Memorandum of Law

Cc: Steven Hanlon, Esquire
Holland & Knight
315 South Calhoun Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32301
w/o enclosures

Gregg Thomas, Esquire
Holland & Knight
400 North Ashley Drive, Suit 2300
Post Office Box 1288
Tampa, Florida 33602
w/o enclosures

Chesterfield H. Smith, Esquire
Holland & Knight
Post Office Box 015441
Miami, Florida 33101-5441
w/o enclosures

Letter

Van Doren, Jamie

Dickinson, Terra