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Lost our public defender
Bob Hooker. A few years back, the PD's office was a bunch of demoralized people. The two best defense guys in town, Hooker and Bob Hirsch, gave up private practice, took it over, brought in experienced people like my former law partner, and turned it around. My former partner reported they're up to 50% wins on jury trials, and winning a majority of motions to suppress. Heard the Office is now among the top five in the country.
Last night he was driving home, north up Main Street -- a little two to four lane urban road, not a fast moving one. Unfortunately, two teens decided to drag race going south on it. One, in a pickup, went airborne crossing the RR tracks, which are on a grade, and went head on into Hooker's SUV. An officer saw the crash, and says Hooker was gone when he got to him.
UPDATE: talked to a PD. Hooker was tied up in traffic on Main St., a slow road leading north out of downtown. The drag racers were heading south at an estimated 100 mph on that congested road, went airborne, crossed into the northbound lanes and smashed into his car.
He was on his way home for his 33rd wedding anniversary.
· Personal
Comments
My sympathies to Mr. Hooker's friends and family. Who drag races in a pickup? Whoever it was should be made to dig Mr. Hooker's grave as part of his punishment.
Posted by: Kukulkan at April 2, 2008 12:34 PM
...and then lie in the bottom while the coffin is lowered.
Posted by: doug in colorado at April 3, 2008 11:43 AM
That's a damn shame. I hope those racers get max punishment.
I was no angel, but I only took chances with my life. Assholes who don't consider the harm they can cause other people do not need to be free among those other people.
Posted by: straightarrrow at April 5, 2008 12:59 AM