Charges filed in shooting

Which attorney? As usual, Brian's friends and family were in court on the 27th. We were hoping the case would move forward. Instead, gilmer's attorney asked for enough time to get a formal motion before the court to resign as the attorney of record. In short, he quit.
The judge gave gilmer til April 10 to find another batch of lawyers to help him. By the way, his lawyer didn't quit over money and is actully returning some of his fee. Wonder what is so bad a criminal attorney would quit?

afta wrote:

Law101 you are absolutely right, if the police told both Brandi and Brian to leave the property earlier in the day, then why would they come back and try and get their things, although Mr. Gilmer didn't handle the situation right, neither did they. Ms. Brandi was responsible for this, and she should not have had her ex-try and go and get some things, it wasn't that important and just as Gilmer could have handled it legally, so could the both of them. Come on, if I was told to stay away, that's exactly what I would have done, it wouldn't be worth risking my life for just getting things. I bet they will try now and file a wrongful death lawsuit now. They will try and get all of his assets, but I'm inclined to believe all of assets will be used to obtain and keep his attorney.

Again, the police told gilmer to leave. They DID NOT tell Brian, John and Brandi to leave. Brian not only cleared his legal rights to retreive their things with the police at the scene, he also spoke to another policeman he knew and the desk seargant on duty. NOBODY (except gilmer) told THEM to leave. They told gilmer to leave and not return til the Harrell's were through. The Harrells went to get lunch before they started loading their things. It should have given gilmer enough time to leave and cool off. AT NO TIME WERE THEY ASKED TO LEAVE OR TOLD THEY SHOULD NOT BE THERE. gilmer was asked to leave and told he had no legal rights to interfere with them.( By the way, a police video-cam was running. Anybody have better evidence than that as to what happened? Come to court and hear and see first hand what an arrogant monster gilmer is.)

Okie Mom wrote:

<quoted text>Again, the police told gilmer to leave. They DID NOT tell Brian, John and Brandi to leave. Brian not only cleared his legal rights to retreive their things with the police at the scene, he also spoke to another policeman he knew and the desk seargant on duty. NOBODY (except gilmer) told THEM to leave. They told gilmer to leave and not return til the Harrell's were through. The Harrells went to get lunch before they started loading their things. It should have given gilmer enough time to leave and cool off. AT NO TIME WERE THEY ASKED TO LEAVE OR TOLD THEY SHOULD NOT BE THERE. gilmer was asked to leave and told he had no legal rights to interfere with them.( By the way, a police video-cam was running. Anybody have better evidence than that as to what happened? Come to court and hear and see first hand what an arrogant monster gilmer is.)

When is the next hearing? Why is it taking so long to get this started. Its' been a year/ Is the court system that bogged down? My goodness it's entirely too long.

The last court date was April 10. We were hopeful a court date could be set in March. Instead, gilmer's very well thought of attorney requested enough time to get a formal motion before the court to be released as gilmer's legal defense of record. In other words, he quit. It really takes a whole lot for a criminal defense attorney to quit. Even a guilty client isn't enough reason. How about this...the attorney is even returning money to gilmer! Says a lot about gilmer. Even money can't buy him loyalty.
If he can't find another attorney willing to take him on, the court will appoint one for him. Meanwhile, Brian's family suffers on without him. We will always be there for him; just as he was always there for us. We love you Bri.

There will be a quick court date on the 29th. @ 9:00 a.m. gilmer has requested the court to appoint an attorney for him. This will probably be denied. He has money and the taxpayers shouldn't have to pay for his worthless postieror.

How does he have money and he's in jail? He certainly can't make any money locked up.

Okie Mom wrote:

There will be a quick court date on the 29th.@ 9:00 a.m. gilmer has requested the court to appoint an attorney for him. This will probably be denied. He has money and the taxpayers shouldn't have to pay for his worthless postieror.

blues wrote:

How does he have money and he's in jail? He certainly can't make any money locked up.
<quoted text>

Besides owning several businesses, he also owns several pieces of property. He owns the apartment building the Harrell's were moving out of. He lived in a downstairs unit of the same building and his wife is still there collecting rent and overseeing his other financial interests.
He was also a teacher in an alternative high school and has savings and retirement investments.
Numerous banking and loan companies do have leins against his assets as well as a lawsuits that have frozen many of his accounts...but he does qualify for public assistance. He'll have to pay for lawyer number five. Don't worry about his ass-ets. Worry about Brian's children. His wife can only earn a fraction of what he was,and his two children will be without their beloved father as well as do without all the things he wanted for them. Their extended families are stepping in as much as we can, but, none of us has a fraction of his talent and intelligence.
gilmer knew Brian's kids and had met some of his family. His selfish act of vengence and wanton disregard of any human respect of life in Brian's murder (and the attempted murder of Brandi and John)....gee, why would anyone be concerned about his lack of income? Are you nuts?

I apologise for the lack of proper sentence structure and spelling errors above. I am also sorry for any 'too' personal attacks of writers to this column. Brian would not approve. He was non-judgemental in the extreme. Sometimes my pain over his loss overwhelms me. Ask questions. Please, ask questions. I will try to be fair.
Since March 16,2007, I have noticed a violent trend in our nation that alarms me more than campus shootings and gang violence combined. Even domestic violence, as horrible as it is, does not concern me as much as this newer trend.

The "my ancestors were slaves, my parent's were victims...therefore I have the right to be above the law and use it to my benefit. No-one and nothing has the right to stand in my way. I am INTITELED to anything I want and will KILL any and all who stand in my way. There should be no consequences for my actions because society 'owes' me." I see this trend in the news all the time. I am frightened for my grandchildren.

gimer truely believes this. Honestly, sincerely, and with great confusion...he does not think it was wrong to break down the door and murder Brian while Brian valiantly tried to protect both John and Brandi. gilmer told '911',in front of John,he as going to 'kill them all',because Brian was a 'fool'.

This is so sad! I can't help but wonder about other issues he must have had before this. Truly he must have been a miserable man. Greed and selfishness will cause anger and I think this is an example of that. People don't realize how both these things can make a person bitter and uncontrollable. Good luck to you and your family.

What is so wrong with our society that so much of it can't tell right from wrong? God has gifted our nation beyond belief and yet there is so much bitterness. Slavery wasn't unique to our nation and is even still prevelant in some nations. Yet, here is black America, whining about the past and believing they are enititled to be protected, cossited, and treated with privileges beyond the average white person. Their young men dress in clothes they can't keep on and speak a 'lingo' only they understand all while complaining they don't "get" as much as they are entitled to and no one "listens" to them. They reject the education that can grant them the privileges they say they are denied. They expect there to be no consequences for their behavior. They few that climb from the gutter divide themselves further. They suceed and achieve the equality they desire or become so bitter and angry they can't see that the vast majority of white America could care less about the color of their skin and are willing to accept them for what they are inside.

As I read this comments it always falls back to race. Its sad your son was killed but was he at fault in any way??? Many of these comments people write reflect on race and hate. Calling a black man a money ,is just one of the many negative things people have been said. Experiencing grief is one thing but using it to talk about Black people is another. I agree Gilmer has some problems that have gone unchecked for many years. And I think he will get what he deserves.But many of these comments are racial and offesive. Will it bring your son back,don't allow this experience to make you a bitter person. In reality you have no idea about blacks only what you see on TV or the movies. There are always consequences for one's behavior. It will come sooner or later no matter what the color of a person skin. And now it has come full circle for Gilmer.

Christina wrote:

As I read this comments it always falls back to race. Its sad your son was killed but was he at fault in any way??? Many of these comments people write reflect on race and hate. Calling a black man a money ,is just one of the many negative things people have been said. Experiencing grief is one thing but using it to talk about Black people is another. I agree Gilmer has some problems that have gone unchecked for many years. And I think he will get what he deserves.But many of these comments are racial and offesive. Will it bring your son back,don't allow this experience to make you a bitter person. In reality you have no idea about blacks only what you see on TV or the movies. There are always consequences for one's behavior. It will come sooner or later no matter what the color of a person skin. And now it has come full circle for Gilmer.

You are both very right and very wrong. Brian did everything legally and morally right that day. He even went beyond his own convictions and sought advice from the police, the desk sergeant, and more. Brian had extremely strong convictions about right and wrong as well as dealing with bullies and bigots. He had a long history of putting himself in harms way to protect the underdog and victims of this world. As his father had warned him before, "You may be right, but you could be 'dead' right. Brian, be careful."
Brian had Brandi call the police before he got there. gilmer had changed the locks-ILLIGALLY- AGAIN- not for unpaid rent but because he wanted and additional (extortion) deposit. This depodit was not for damage to the apartment, but for catfood left on the front step. Brandi had no cat, just a tearful daughter of four with a soft heart.
The police looked at the situation and told gilmer to leave. They told him not to come back or they would arrest him. They told the Harrell's to move in peace. They had every legal right to be there. gilmer threatened everybody. gilmer trumped up the 'black' issue. Also, all this is on police vidiocan.
The issue of bitternes is more complicated. I will add below a posting from awhile ago you missed.

Okie Mom wrote:

I keep seeing hints of Brandi's family not taking care to help her. There have been questions asked while hints were made towards 'low-life' tendencies of our families. There could be nothing further from the truth. While not being perfect, our families could be models for hard-working contributing members of our communities and churches. Preachers, missionaries, lawyers, in all branches of the military,social workers, teachers, leaders, writers and so on. Not one single member, on either side of Brian and Brandi's family, have earned 'low-life' status.
On the other hand, because of our interest in helping others, our family members often have put themselves in harms way...to help the less priveleged, the underdogs, the needy...and have become victims of crime and violence.
Brandi was never abandoned by her family. When we discovered she needed help, she was getting it. We love and help each other. If there is a need we answer it. Even after Brian's murder, the two families remain very close. This is the way our families are...the way Brian lived his life...for others with love.

This 'race' thing I seem so bitter about comes from pain. Our families have been blessed with opportunities to integrate into muticultural situations. At every corner we have embraced cultural differecnes as a way to enrich our lives. Since early childhood, Brian had the rare chance to embrace the beauty of many races, colors and religions. His social group looked like a miniature United Nations. He took people where they were. He did not tolerate bigots, bullies, or preditors. He was a huge, immensly strong person inside and out. Throw and insult at him and he would turn the other cheek. Throw an insult at anyone or anything else in need of protection and watch out. He was our hero and the hero to countless others. There were hundreds at his memorial services that told us they had just lost their 'BROTHER' or their 'BEST FRIEND'.

gilmer (he ranks no capitol letters from me) on the other hand...I don't know the man his family knew...don't care. The man he presented in his businesses and available in court records, the man who broke down a door and murdered an unarmed man trying to protect and take care of his family; well, this man has screamed "black" at every opportunity, even trumped up ones like suing the judge, the D.A., the jail, etc. This man is the top of the food chain on what Bill Cosby says is wrong with Black America. Even with education, sucess, and opportunities way beyond the norm, this bigot screams at every chance, his problems are because he is black in America and that is why it was not wrong to murder my son in cold blood and the consequences he is facing is only because he is black.

Christina, please don't think I am attacking you. I am not. I now actively seek out people of color so I can find as many as possible positives to balance the scar gilmer has left on us. I have found many truely wonderful people in my search...as long as I don't go in certain areas of town, don't go near high schools, malls or certain gathering places (ones that don't have balanced skin colors on the outside). I once thoght churches would be a safe haven. Now I find too many Rev. Wrights at the pulpit instead of the love I so desperately seek.
I search the eyes of the strangers I meet. You see, I am , by birth, a WHITE. I was taught to look further than skin tone. I have rejected any association with people of prejudice. I was not alone. Thousands of my fellow WHITES could care less about the outside. We knew there were racial problems somewhere, but, we had problems finding them in our lives. We had open hearts. Now I have a mid-life crisis. Most all the prejudice, hatred, bitterness, and racial tension I am encountering in abundance is coming from BLACK AMERICA. This is like there is a language barrier I can't get past. I can learn Spanish, I can't learn BLACK because there is so much hatred on their part they only want more than me. I have worked hard for what little I have and now have lost even my precious son to a cause and hatred I can't accept.
Tell me where to go from here. I am lost and in pain. I forgive easily. I find that this is not enough.

What would you know about Blacks in the first place. Your situation is no different than many thousands of Black mothers whoe's son are killed everyday--not to mention being shot by police over 50 times. Give me a break--chickens do have a tendency to come home to roost. Two wrongs do not make a right. You think because this has happened to your son that you have some special priviledge because your or I should say his skin is white---BULL Shit.. All of the discussion in the world won't correct two wrongs. Get a life and try to raise your grand kids so they will hopefully not judge by a mans skin color .....

bull wrote:

What would you know about Blacks in the first place. Your situation is no different than many thousands of Black mothers whoe's son are killed everyday--not to mention being shot by police over 50 times. Give me a break--chickens do have a tendency to come home to roost. Two wrongs do not make a right. You think because this has happened to your son that you have some special priviledge because your or I should say his skin is white---BULL Shit.. All of the discussion in the world won't correct two wrongs. Get a life and try to raise your grand kids so they will hopefully not judge by a mans skin color .....

Idiot. Read more carefully. I said I do not 'blame' the man for murdering my son. I blame him for saying HE is the victim because he is black and my son was white. I blame him for screaming prejudice and whining because there are consequences for his actions when he thinks there should be none because he is black. I blame the culture that is raising whole generations of ENTITLEMENT BLACKS.

I said I do not understand what it is to be Black but I'll be damned if you tar me with feathers just because I'm white. This is not a black and white world anymore. You will never know the frustration of being white either. The difference is, I no longer care and you and yours should be VERY concerned that me and mine are losing faith in black humanity. If you pose as animals don't be shocked when the vast WHITE AMERICA begins to believe it and treats you so.

I said the black man who murdered my son did it because he thought he had the right to do so BECAUSE HE WAS BLACK. I also said Brian was not ever the bigot the murderer was and is.

Where are there two wrongs here? I did not compare my grief to the 'thousands' of black mothers who have lost their sons. There is no comparison because grief has no color. That is my point.

You are just plain wrong in this case.

bull wrote:

What would you know about Blacks in the first place. Your situation is no different than many thousands of Black mothers whoe's son are killed everyday--not to mention being shot by police over 50 times. Give me a break--chickens do have a tendency to come home to roost. Two wrongs do not make a right. You think because this has happened to your son that you have some special priviledge because your or I should say his skin is white---BULL Shit.. All of the discussion in the world won't correct two wrongs. Get a life and try to raise your grand kids so they will hopefully not judge by a mans skin color .....

I try and keep quiet and let the intelligent okie mom do her thing but you need to shut your mouth! Your an idiot! You know nothing about that family and your just scared because okie mom spoke the truth!!!!!!!!! It's hard to look in the mirror and see shit isn't it!?

Can't we all just get along. No one white can understand what it means to be black or vice versa. So, let's just try and not make this a black or white issue.

Yes, we can just all get along. Somewhere in my fine print, that is exactly what I said most 'white' folks want. The problem used to be fringe radicals on both ends stirring up the middle. Over time, us pale ones have really worked at isolating our hate groups.
On the other hand, the black communities seem to embrace their radicals and make their ideals acceptable.
AGAIN, the color issue is alive and well only because the BLACK man who murdered my son has made it so. HE IS THE ONE WITH COLOR ISSUES!!
WE CAN ALL GET ALONG IF BOTH SIDES WORK EQUALLY HARD TO DO SO. It is time for the black community to take account of itself and work just as hard at integrating themselves into a AMERICAN CULTURE, not the divided one it's leaders are trying to establish. YOUR TURN NOW.

We took account of ourselves back in the 60's. When we couldn't sit with you, eat with you, nor play along side of you. Those were issues we had and corrected; when all you did was chant on the side lines go home n-gg--. We corrected that didn't we? It sounds as though you're from the old school! People nowadays are beyond the color thing; can't you tell just look around there are a mixture of colors, and we ain't all bad.