Don’t know Gerry Spence? Lawyer 60-plus years? OK. He probably doesn’t know you either. Wyoming country boy. Defended the superfamous. Never lost a criminal case.
In the ’80s I saw him fight for Imelda, the Philippines’ first lady.
Longtime President Ferdinand Marcos’ wife was on trial for enemies alleging creative use of American dollars. Unfamiliar NY courtroom. Unsympathetic judge. Foreign jury. Hostile press. Few friends. Prosecutor in traditional blue suit. Her attorney? Buckskins, boots, fringe, cowboy hat. He won.
Spence’s 18th book is “Police State: How America’s Cops Get Away With Murder.” Not knowing Ray Kelly or Bill Bratton, he says: “America’s most wanted are our law enforcement officers. Their rampant power abuse should be put on trial. When police become the criminals, people become the enemy.”
Today’s world appears more hostile, I said. He said: “No. That’s been decades. The media’s just become aware of it. A friend didn’t know how to defend his client who playfully slapped a woman’s butt, got charged with sexual assault and faces two-plus years in the pen. Feminist issues, race issues, difficult to be a human being in our country today.
“Everything’s legislation. Law students graduate crippled. Their brains’ human side can’t think anymore. Intellect’s valueless. Nobody thinks humanly. Logically. Our left-brain Supreme Court can’t agree.
“Reorganize the grand jury process, by which prosecutors transfer indictment responsibility to innocents with no idea what to do. The defense has no attorney presence. No arguments made except by the prosecutor. This imposition on truth is his own birthday party. Edit out all the legal, political, official powerful entities. Help the helpless.
“Stop relying on jailhouse snitches. In criminal cases, that testimony should be ruled inadmissable.
“And curb cop clout. People in power often misuse it. Officers exist who are killers on the loose. Un-uniformed Americans become potential victims. This brutality hasn’t increased over years. It’s been there since the beginning.”
Easy . . . down, boy. St. Martin’s publishes Spence’s book Sept. 8.
Hate can be easy
DAILY mayhem is making our world harden to hate. We feel helpless. But, shorn of religious, societal, racial or political mania, that disgusting vile pig maliciously luring a Zimbabwean lion just to massacre the animal has triggered global visceral reaction. May this dentist’s teeth rot. All but one. That one should be left for a toothache.
Virgin’s Popular
Even nonvirgins fly Virgin. Q-Tip, whose lady’s cleavage reached her ankles, hopped it to San Fran. And Brit actress Ruth Wilson crossed the pond on it.
On Broadway last year, having cootchy-coo’d Jake Gyllenhaal in some two-person thing, Wilson boarded first. Also spoke to no one. Not a word.
Regards to peace
THE Iran nuclear accord’s recent signing makes “Regards” particularly timely. House magazine of Lausanne’s Hotel Beau-Rivage Palace, site of much of the deliberations, “Regards” cover features Sec’y John Kerry. Nice. At least the Swiss, who specialize in watches and chocolates, applaud the deal.
Pay attention
I love CNN’s morning anchor Carol Costello. Hair, dress, A-1. Handles news excellently. Just one comment: Every guest’s concluded with: “I appreciate it.” Please, another phrase” . . . FRIDAYS NYC empties, but know where those who stay go? Cellini. On 54th, east of Madison. Teriffic Tuscan food.
Things are getting dicey locally. P.S. This week in a 51st Street building some wild crazy knifer stabbed a person in the abdomen. He was caught. I know about it firsthand. I was in that identical spot shortly thereafter.
Only in New York, kids, only in New York.