Saturday, January 23, 2016

Harvey Sidney Lutins Obit 1928-2015 and a dog named RICKY

Harvey was my father's attorney in Roanoke, VA.  He had a reputation for winning and my family liked him a lot.  I heard his name often but I don't think I ever met him.  He died November 2015, at the age of 87 and my mom saved his obituary from the paper.

Now this is not intended to be sad because he lived a very long life, a good life. He was loved by family and friends, and enjoyed a successful career.  My mom saved the article (see  The Roanoke Times November 3, 2015,  for full article on his life).

What was most interesting is what Harvey did, way back in 1962.  Ricky was a German Shepard Dog (innocent until proven guilty) in Giles County VA.  He was officially named Cartoman Cecil but everyone called him Ricky for short.  He was accused of killing a sheep and the courts ordered Ricky to be put down.

Now his owners were convinced of his innocence (we will never know the real truth), so they hired Harvey Lutins.  And Harvey argued the case all the way up to the US Supreme Court if you can believe that - but it's true.

The US Supreme Court charged the owner instead and Ricky got to live- the story making it to Times magazine.    Harvey was later quoted as saying, " You can kill a guy, electrocute him 17 times and not get the press you get with a dog". So true Harvey, so true.  Don't come between a man and his dog.

I hope Ricky  was with his sheep and got to thank Harvey in person, this past November. May they all rest or romp happily in peace.


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