Legal Question in Criminal Law in Missouri

I have a twenty two years old Godson who is incarcerated and awaiting trial for a murder that he did not commit. He joined the military to escape the streets, after spending most of his childhood in foster care. He befriended several soldiers and went out with them in their hometown. One of them shot and killed a man whom he had conflicts with. Two of the men that witnessed the murder accused my Godson. One of the witnesses is the brother of the actual shooter. My Godson now sits in Albermarle District Jail in Elizabeth City. I am not well off and he never really had the support of his biological family. I've attempted to connect with The Innocence Project. They only help once there is a conviction. Are there any Attorneys that provide ProBono services or any organizations the seek to help the falsely accused prior to conviction? My Godson is married, with two young boys, ages 4 and two and one child on the way. Any advise you can give is much appreciated. Thank you and God bless.


Asked on 3/13/10, 2:22 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Anthony Smith LawSmith

Ther seriousness of the crime indicates that yrou Godson have competent representation. he qualifies for a public defender. Some are very good. If you do not feel that he can get adequate representation than you will need to solicit funds from his peers. Certainly, they will ask how much you are putting int. If you believe in the seriousness of the situation, you will want to be able to adequately answer that question. Depending upon the facts of the case, you may be able to get an attorney for less that $5,000. If the other people in your community believe in his innocence, they will assist you in raising those funds. An outside agency or charity will ask for the demonstration of his innocence, If it is merely that you believe him when he says he participate in the killing of the victim, then you will do better with the people in his community than with any outside agency.

Make sure he requests appointed counsel. If he is nto satisfied with that counsel, then go to his freinds and neighbors. That will speak volumes about his likelihood of aquittal.

Good luck

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Answered on 3/19/10, 1:57 pm


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