The Harris Column index

The Harris Column
By SAMUEL J. HARRIS
Putnam Pit columnist

1/20/98

Byron Looper is not guilty

I have become tired of speculating on the Byron (Low Tax) Looper matter, but it will be some time before the trial ends speculation about whether the politically unpopular Putnam County tax assessor murdered his incumbent opponent for state senate, Tommy Burks. (My wife reminds me that speculation may not end then.) Still the most important duty as an attorney that I can perform for interests of justice is to remind the public of the most fundamental element of criminal due process in America -- a person is innocent until proved guilty. LOOPER IS NOT GUILTY. This fact is irrefutable because there has been no trial. The Upper Cumberland shines brightest when it shows the world that fair trials that adhere to the Anglo-American principles of due process prevail.

11/28/98

Guest columnist John Wayne Allen

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