Erika Lunn
Dear Carmela and the LELDF,
I've been wanting to write for some time, but also wanted to compose my sincere thoughts before doing so. We wanted to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your thoughtfulness in sending gift cards for the kids for Christmas! What a blessing your organization has been! We thank you for your continued support, not only financially but for your mental support as well. The passion and conviction you have that guides your organization through everything you do, is something we have been so grateful for...it continues to bring us to tears when we think about the ways in which your organization has helped and the ways in which people have reached out to us during this time. There is not a day that goes by that we don't praise God in this "storm" for people like you and our loved ones. Our hearts are overwhelmed with gratitude.
It is so comforting to know that there are people pulling for us, and believe in us regardless of wether they know us..because they believe that Police officers are fighting the good fight and sacrificing so much to serve and protect their community. I know that if most officers are like my husband, they too are passionate about serving and protecting to make this world a better place. They sacrifice like not many people know how to sacrifice and their families in return do as well to support them. Regardless of the outcome of this, I will always be proud of the man, father, brother, son, and friend my husband is. He has served his country at war and served his community and his family in such an amazing way. I'm incredibly proud of him. I'm so thankful that your organization believes in these officers. His sheriff took the easy road and turned his back on my husband and his fellow officer with him that night. It's unfortunate that in today's society, it has become easier to turn us out rather than stand by us in a time of need. But you, as well as the many others that have showed us support, give us hope that there are people who still believe in doing what you feel is right regardless of it's outcome. So thank you, thank you from the bottom of our hearts! I truly believe you are a God sent.
Sincerely,
Erika Lunn
Bret Rawson
Alfred: Thank you so much for contacting me today regarding the O’Gwin matter. As you know, this is not “simply a prosecution,” but yet another unfortunate and politically-motivated persecution. Moreover, this is not just any cop, but a very talented and experienced officer who was so calm under fire in an earlier incident that he was able to avoid returning friendly fire while rounds were incoming (another officer fired at him after mistaking him for a suspect during a live firefight; the other officer ended up hitting a civilian bystander during the same incident). Our client remained calm and did not return fire against the other officer, which I think you’d agree was consummate professional performance given the situation. As far as the current prosecution goes, our officer was attacked by a known gang member who was actually out committing crimes at the time he engaged with our client. Officers who are not tuned-in to the reality of ambush die routinely in the US, and elsewhere, as you know. This will all be proven in Court. We even believe that despite the fact a gun was not recovered, that a gun was being used in a series of crimes that these gang members were committing the very night of the incident, and in fact they had time to ditch the gun on the way to the hospital. This case is amazing in that the DA is pitting the story of a known thug against a veteran cop.
LELDF’s assistance in this matter is generous and appreciated more than words can express. Andy is so very thankful. With these resources, we have been able to secure the talent of Professor Paul Cassell, who was also co-counsel in the Cowley matter that LELDF helped with back in 2014. Additionally as I referenced in our call, we have now hired a veteran prosecutor, Nathan Evershed, who worked in the very office we are opposing! This will be a huge asset going forward in this case. I attached our circular publication for your review, along with our current invoice.
There are significant motions to write (including a motion to dismiss), the hiring of at least three, maybe four experts (two have committed already - they include Danny King from Vegas, and Bruce Champagne who helped us in Cowley as well), but also probably a human performance engineer type (a guy who can talk about movement in proximity to the car where Andy fired from), will be necessary. We have even discussed imbedding the scene in virtual reality for the jury…we are looking at every possible way to show a jury what really happened and why our client acted fully consistent with his training and the law.
Thanks again for contacting me and for the important mission of LELDF! Please let me know if I can provide any information or clarification.
Warmest Regards,
Bret Rawson
Dana Kraemer
I am Police Officer Devon Kraemer's mother. This email is long overdue, and I have written it hundreds of times in my mind. There are no words to express my gratitude to the LELDF for taking her case. The complete and horrific nightmare of being charged was by far the worst thing Devon (and her family) has ever gone through. On the day she was charged, I told my brother "We need money - lots of money". I was naively thinking we would need about $50,000 or $60,000 to clear her name. Oh how wrong I was. I could not in my wildest nightmares have foreseen that her legal bills would reach nearly a quarter of a million dollars. Foremost in all of our minds was the horrendous thought of Devon spending even one second in jail. Writing this reminds of that sick sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. Once the case started to progress and we had an inkling how much it was going to cost, the second-most horrendous thought was that this incident was going to bankrupt not only Devon but her family as well. It seems so ridiculous and trite to say THANK YOU, but that is what I am writing to say today. You and your donors (and the beautiful letters of support they wrote) were the only tiny speck of a bright spot in this entire disaster. Once the case went to the jury and we sat in the courthouse waiting for the verdict, Devon passed around a packet of letters from your donors and we used their words to keep the faith, stay positive, and continue praying for a just verdict. Again, thank you so much. Thank God an organization like yours exists. God bless each and every one of you!
Dana Kraemer
Clifton B. Sobel Jr.
On behalf of Deputy Holmes and Ms. Stephens, we are very grateful to the LELDF for accepting this matter. I am absolutely certain Deputy Holmes acted within the course and scope of his official duties on the evening of 23 December 2017, and that he is innocent of any crime being committed that night. I pledge my loyalty and devotion to his defense. Money that the LELDF raises on his behalf will be spent wisely not only to defend him, but also to exonerate and restore his superior reputation as a law enforcement officer.
I thank you for your dedication to this matter.
When I can be of further service, please call on me.
Until then, I remain…
Very truly yours,
Clifton B. Sobel, Jr.