Archive for December 2022
Attorney Sam Nalli on Defending a Juvenile Charged with First-Degree Murder
The legal profession is filled with high-extroversion, low-content self-promoters, more interested in lining their pockets than achieving justice for their clients. And then, there is Sam Nalli. Sam tells the listeners about his background and interest in the law, and takes us behind the scenes in the defense of a 17-year-old child charged as an…
Read MoreThe Dead Fox Near the Prison
It was summertime and pleasant outside in western Maryland. Part of nature’s dissonance is how the weather can feel so gentle and wonderful next to something so gruesome as a prison. It was 6:00 p.m. as the two men waited until the tower correctional officer, or “C/O,” unlocked the outer gate to the visitor sallyport…
Read MoreThe 1972 Cops and Robbers Party
I am 66 now; retired from the D.C. Fire Department about 6 years ago. It wasn’t always like this. People didn’t always get along; but it wasn’t like this. Give you an example: the 1972 cops and robbers’ party. In 1972, I was 17 years old. Typical high school kid in D.C. Finding work for…
Read MoreThe Commissioner (Ten Minute Play)
The Commissioner A Ten-Minute PlayClarke Ahlers ACT 1, SCENE 1 The stage is rectangular. Forset, see production notes. (Police officer on foot patrol is walking, stops and stands outside the closed door of the apartment. He looks at his watch, takes a noise meter out of his pocket, takes a measure, then walks heel-to-toe…
Read MoreOne Day at a Time (A Personal Message from Clarke)
I was 15 years old in the summer of 1970. I wouldn’t turn 16 until December of that year. Vince and Charlie and other high school buddies introduced me to the Oxford Tavern in DC across the street from the entrance to the zoo. I bought my first pitcher of beer in a bar. I…
Read MoreRebecca (Ten Minute Play)
Rebecca A Ten-Minute Play SCENE 1 District Court, Central Booking. October 6, 2020 (JAMAL and REBECCA enter the courtroom through the door marked “Exit.” JAMAL is holding a large number of manilla file folders with pale multi-colored paperwork in each file folder. JAMAL points to the far table.) JAMAL Stand right there. I’ll be…
Read MoreJudge Hammerman Imposes a 70 Year Trial Penalty — The Gary Baynor Case
In the last episode, Serge and Clarke discussed the idea of a trial penalty. A trial penalty occurs when an accused citizen rejects a plea offer, goes to trial, and is convicted but receives a sentence grossly disproportionate to the plea offer. In this episode, Serge and Clarke interview Gary Baynor about an incredible story…
Read More