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IzLegal Illustrated
RIGHT TO AN ATTORNEY The Persistence of Clarence Earl Gideon
Though Clarence Earl Gideon is not well known today, his efforts changed the American legal system forever, and it all started with his arrest.
Clarence Earl Gideon spent most of his life living it rough. Growing up, he lived in a strict household, to the point where he was unable to enjoy the life that many of the boys his age could. When he was in the eighth grade at the age of 14, Gideon ran away from home. He became a young and very poor drifter, traveling from Missouri to California and back again. When his mother learned he was living with his uncle, she called the police and had him arrested. From here, Gideon’s already difficult life became even harder. Shortly after his arrest, Gideon broke out of jail, but it was the middle of winter, and he was desperate with nowhere to go. He broke in to a local store and stole clothes to keep himself warm, but he was quickly discovered and convicted of stealing. Although he was sentenced to three years at the Missouri State Reformatory for Boys, he was released on parole after a year. Gideon managed to find a job at a shoe factory and even got married, but when times grew hard, he fell back to crime and eventually got divorced. For the next several years, Gideon found himself in and out of prisons and several failed marriages across Missouri. Eventually, he decided to move to Florida and spent most of his time at the Bay Harbor Pool Room in Panama City. When the pool hall was broken in to on June 3, 1961, Gideon, with a record of robbery and burglary, was accused of the break-in and arrested. The owner reported that $5 in change had been stolen in addition to a few bottles of beer and soda. When he appeared in court, Gideon was too poor to afford an attorney to represent him. He asked the presiding judge in open court to appoint him a lawyer, but the judge refused. He argued that the Sixth Amendment entitled everyone to a lawyer, but at the time, Florida law “only permitted appointment of counsel for poor defendants charged with capital offenses.” As Gideon was accused of breaking and entering and petty larceny, he did not fall into that category. Gideon did a poor job defending himself. He had little education, no legal experience, and knew very little about the law. Despite that, he did his very best. He made his own opening statement to the jury, had several arguments for his innocence, presented witnesses to defend himself, and even cross-examined the prosecution’s
witnesses. Although he did everything he could, he was still found guilty and sentenced to five years in prison. But he refused to give up.
While imprisoned, Gideon began to study law and wrote a petition to the Florida Supreme Court for his release. He wrote that his constitutional rights had been violated, as the trial judge had refused to appoint him counsel, resulting in his imprisonment. Still, the Florida Supreme Court denied him. Hitting a dead end there, Gideon petitioned to the United States Supreme Court, which agreed to consider his appeal. He was given a retrial, and this time, the Supreme Court assigned him a lawyer. Gideon won and was acquitted. Gideon’s persistence and arguments for his right to an attorney have helped thousands of Americans in the years since. Many individuals who would not have had representation otherwise have been granted counsel to help plead their case, bringing the experience and knowledge that comes with studying and practicing law.
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NASA Takes You on a (Virtual) Space Adventure THE FINAL FRONTIER
Commercial space travel might still be the stuff of science fiction stories, but thanks to computer programs and augmented reality, your family can still experience what it’s like to explore space. NASA and other organizations provide a wealth of free resources that make space exploration come to life for stargazers and future astronauts alike. Take some time to explore a few of our favorites today.
fiction dreams are made of! In 2012, Expedition 33 Commander Sunita Williams filmed a full tour of this amazing floating lab and even included a quick lesson on how to work out in zero gravity. “Visit” the space station for yourself at Bit.ly/ISSTour.
Spitzer.Caltech.edu/vr to start your adventure and explore deep space today!
PLANET-HOPPING WITH NASA
Have you ever wondered would it be like to stand on another world? Then “book” your next vacation with the Exoplanet Travel Bureau! This program takes you on digital tours of real exoplanets NASA has discovered. Though we don’t know what the surfaces of these worlds look like, artists have used scientific data to create 3D landscapes to explore. See them all, from Kepler-16b to TRAPPIST-1e, at Exoplanets.NASA. gov/alien-worlds/exoplanet-travel-bureau.
EXPLORING DEEP SPACE VIA VIRTUAL REALITY
On Jan. 30, 2020, NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope concluded its 16-year mission researching exoplanets, which are planets outside our solar system. This data was used to create Exoplanet Excursions, an immersive virtual reality experience that lets your family experience the Spitzer’s discoveries and control the telescope yourself. These incredible excursions are available on Oculus or Steam, so visit
TOURING THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION
First launched in 1998, the International Space Station is a multinational space research laboratory. Nineteen different nations have sent astronauts, cosmonauts, and space tourists to the space station to conduct scientific experiments. It’s truly the stuff science
A ‘SILVER’ BULLET ATTORNEYS GENERAL STAND FIRM AGAINST SNAKE OIL
Jim Bakker dominated headlines in the late 1980s with his legal troubles, and now the televangelist is facing a new lawsuit in 2020.
One such product involved was Sherrill Sellman’s Silver Solution. Sellman, a self-described naturopathic doctor and mind-body psychologist who appeared on Bakker’s show on Feb. 12, proclaimed Silver Solution is a cure for the coronavirus. Bakker promoted the product and later sold it through his website.
The original story of Bakker’s fall begins on a TV set. Bakker and his wife at the time, Tammy Faye Messner, hosted the popular evangelical talk show “The PTL Club” from the mid-1970s to the late 1980s. However, their reign came crashing down when Bakker resigned after being accused of offering money to church secretary Jessica Hahn to cover up rape allegations. Bakker was later convicted of scamming thousands of viewers out of millions of dollars, and he spent several years in prison. Today, Bakker hosts “The Jim Bakker Show” and leads Morningside Church in Missouri. While freedom of religion is protected in the U.S., a recent promotion on Bakker’s show caught the attention of attorneys nationwide. In 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic found its way to the U.S., many people stocked up on emergency medical supplies. For some, this meant purchasing colloidal silver “cures” that were promised to kill the virus. Supplements, pills, and oils with no scientific evidence of their efficacy were sold to consumers until the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent cease-and-desist orders to seven manufacturers in March 2020.
The Missouri and New York attorneys general caught wind of this scheme and immediately filed cease-and-desist orders, and even a lawsuit, against Bakker. NPR explains that Bakker and his church are in violation of state laws by “falsely promising consumers that Silver Solution can cure, eliminate, kill, or deactivate coronavirus.” Bakker stopped selling Silver Solution in mid-March 2020. Even as the lawsuit continues to move through the court system, the message is clear: The justice system is cracking down on the sale of snake oil.
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GET YOUR GRILL ON
Although we Floridians enjoy pleasant weather throughout the year, there’s something about summer that means barbecue. Grilling up a meal is a great way to pass the time and ends with fantastic food. However, before you set up your cooking station, remember that grilling can be a hazard without proper precautions in place. According to the National Fire Protection Association, gas and charcoal grills are involved in over 9,000 home fires per year. But with a few safety measures, you can greatly reduce those risks.
grill in an enclosed space, such as in a garage or under a tent.
KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE.
Whenever you’re grilling, it is essential to not leave it unattended for any amount of time. An adult should always be in
close proximity to a lit grill and continue to keep a watchful eye even after the grill is turned off. Make sure the grill is completely cool before walking away, storing it, or allowing your pets and children in the area again.
grill on, check for leaks, and make sure that your gas is turned on low while lighting it.
GIVE IT SOME SPACE.
A charcoal grill is dangerous when the starter fluid is used incorrectly. Make sure you have the correct starter fluid and don’t use any other flammable liquid while getting the fire going. When it comes time to dispose of the coals, make sure to place them in a metal can after they’ve cooled.
People often grill on a deck, patio, or other space that is close to their home. However, it’s important that your grill is at least 3 feet away from your house, trees, fencing, outdoor seating, and any other objects. A grill reaches high temperatures, which can cause these structures to heat up and possibly catch fire if left exposed for too long. Additionally, never place your
PRECAUTION IS KEY.
The biggest threat of a gas or propane grill is the line that connects the grill to the gas tank. If that line is damaged, broken, or cracked, the gas can escape, which can result in gas fires. Before you turn your gas
By following these safety measures, you can have fun grilling all summer long!
Laugh Out Loud
GRILLED BASIL CHICKEN AND TOMATOES
You can’t go wrong with grilled chicken and tomatoes on a warm summer’s evening. It’s a simple recipe that packs a flavor punch. Ingredients
• • • •
2 tbsp olive oil 1 clove garlic
• • •
1/4 cup tightly packed fresh basil leaves
8 Roma tomatoes
1/2 tsp salt
4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (4 oz each)
3/4 cup balsamic vinegar
Directions
1. For marinade: In blender, combine olive oil, garlic, salt, vinegar, and basil. Cut 2 tomatoes into quarters and add to mixture. Cover and process until blended. Halve remaining tomatoes for grilling.
3. Heat grill to about 350–400 F. Lightly oil
grates. Grill chicken until internal temperature reads 165 F, about 4–6 minutes per side. Grill tomatoes until lightly browned, about 2–4 minutes per side. Discard remaining marinade.
2. In bowl, combine chicken and 2/3 cup
4. Serve chicken and tomatoes with reserved marinade.
marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. Reserve remaining marinade.
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
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INSIDE this issue
1 Right to an Attorney 2 Go Planet-Hopping With NASA Televangelist Facing Legal Trouble After Selling COVID-19 ‘Cure’ 3 Get Your Grill On Grilled Basil Chicken and Tomatoes 4 The Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Men
LEGEND OF THE STOCKPORT SPIDER-MEN True Superheroes Bring Smiles to Their Community
Everyone knows superheroes like to hang out in New York City, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, one beloved arachnid-themed hero seems to have made a special trip to the United Kingdom. The U.K. government has allotted citizens one hour of outdoor exercise time per day, so Andrew Baldock and Jason Baird of Stockport, Greater Manchester, in England have been utilizing that time to bring a little joy to their town by dressing up as Spider-Man. Baldock, a children’s martial arts teacher, has worn a Spider-Man costume to martial arts lessons in the past. With schools canceled and children in his community required to stay indoors, he decided to don the mask of the famous webslinger during his daily jogs. “I’ve seen this as a way to be able to put smiles on kids’ faces as they’re stuck inside,” Baldock said. “You’re running around and you’ve got a mask, but you don’t even think about how uncomfortable you
might be in it because you go around and you just see these families and they are just happy. It is what we need. Right now, it is what we need. Definitely warms your heart.” Baird was inspired by his friend’s mission and asked to join in. Since late March, both men have been spending their hour jogging through different neighborhoods in Stockport. Though neither Spidey slings webs or climbs walls, children and adults of Stockport alike have been delighted to see them. Spider-Man toys, drawings, and signs have appeared in windows all over town as a way for families to show their love for these Stockport Spider-Men.
“I’ll do this every day as long as my legs hold out. It’s just to keep everyone smiling,” said Baird.
Right now, we could all certainly use another reason to smile. These superheroes are certainly helping their community in a big way.
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