Murder is Agg.Assault with One Less Witness

The first time I handled a murder case I was terrified. Murder is universally recognized as the worst crime. I was being called upon to defend someone who had taken the life of another human being. This was not a victimless crime like narcotics or some other regulatory violation seeking to protect us from our own selves. No, this was a real crime, with a real victim. The life of the accused was in my hands, all “in the shadow of the noose” as the British would say. I did not know if I was up to it.

I spoke to Jerry Cunningham, an older and more experienced colleague in Ft. Lauderdale. I told him I was concerned, and asked him for his advice.

–Relax, he said. What are you worried about? A murder is an aggravated assault with one less witness.