This is not our system of justice! One person was killed in an explosion at a Dalton, Georgia law office Friday morning. The victim has not been identified; however, he is believed to be the one who is responsible for the explosion. Some type of explosive device was apparently used by the culprit. The explosion rocked the McCamy, Phillips, Tuggle & Fordham law firm. Dalton police Lt. Bruce Frazier indicates that there is a person of interest but no official suspects. Apparently, Lloyd Cantrell has been questioned; however he has yet to be named as a suspect. Legal Pub cautions that Cantrell is to be presumed innocent unless otherwise proven.
The explosion happened around 10 a.m. this morning and Legal Pub delayed publishing this story until more facts were known. At this point, it is believed that there was some sort of altercation at the law office prior to the blast.
The explosion happened around 10 a.m. this morning and Legal Pub delayed publishing this story until more facts were known. At this point, it is believed that there was some sort of altercation at the law office prior to the blast.
McCamy, Phillips, Tuggle and Fordham was founded in 1932. It has eight lawyers who work out of the office. Their web site indicates that the firm handles personal injury and wrongful death cases. It is not currently known the reason for the altercation. However, attorney, James Phillips, apparently suffered severe hand injuries and burns. He was airlifted to the Still Burn Center in Augusta. Three other victims were in stable condition at Hamilton Medical Center. Court proceedings were suspended at the Whitfield County Courthouse.
Update 2-10-10: Ashlae Stinnett was kind enough to update this story with a comment. (Please see her 2-10-10 comment.) Ashlae indicates that her mother was injured while working at the McCamy law firm. According to Ashlae, Mr Cantrell caused the explosion and died during the incident. Ashlae Stinnett is apparently writing a book about the incident and we do wish her well. Ashlae apparently blames both Mr. Cantrell and his son for the incident; however, the son was never charged. The elder Cantrell may have committed this crime because of the suit filed by his son. This may just be an educated guess. Furthermore, all are presumed innocent unless they are proven otherwise in a court of law.
Ashlae adds that the Mccamy Law firm is one of the oldest and most respected law firms in Georgia. Ashlae, thanks for the update!
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18 comments:
Never an excuse for such violence!
According to the Dalton Daily Citizen, the altercation may have been over a bad result in "a bitter lawsuit." Whitfield County, GA minutes have some possible clues about the lawsuit.
Bruce and Lloyd Cantrell apparently had some sort of dispute. Who did what is not clear.
Georgia Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawyers Web site:
The attorneys and staff at McCamy, Phillips, Tuggle & Fordham, LLP, are driven by an unwavering desire to help others. The standards on which our firm was founded in 1932 still guide our firm in its dedication to our clients and community: professional, ethical representation; attention to our clients' needs and priorities; and adherence to small-town traditions and values.
Georgia Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawyers Web site:
The attorneys and staff at McCamy, Phillips, Tuggle & Fordham, LLP, are driven by an unwavering desire to help others. The standards on which our firm was founded in 1932 still guide our firm in its dedication to our clients and community: professional, ethical representation; attention to our clients' needs and priorities; and adherence to small-town traditions and values.
They do divorce law too. Per their web site:
Georgia Divorce and Family Law Attorneys
At McCamy, Phillips, Tuggle & Fordham, LLP, we recognize that going through a divorce can be a difficult, emotional experience. Our family law attorneys strive to guide individuals and their families through this traumatic time with dignity, sensitivity and respect. We are committed to protecting clients’ rights while preserving relationships with the children involved.
With our extensive business experience, we are able to handle even the most complex financial issues involved in a divorce.
Four casualties have been transported to Hamilton Medical Center in Dalton and all are in stable condition. One will be transferred to a burn unit.
This is what I can repeat:
Dalton Police are the lead agency in charge of the site.
The FBI, the GBI, ATV and Whitfield County Fire and EMS are all assisting with the investigation. GBI bomb squad cleared the building.
Attorney Steve Williams ( a firm member) was not in the building when the explosion occurred.
No arrests have been made as of yet.
According to NBC, the device was thrown from a passing car through a window of McCamy, Philips, Tuggle and Fordham, LLP around 10 a.m.
The firm is on West Crawford Street in downtown Dalton. Our newspaper, "The Dalton Daily Citizen" seems to think they are questioning a man they took into custody. It is probably Lloyd Cantrell, but no one knows for sure.
The Dalton Police Department is not saying much. The four victims were transported to Hamilton Medical Center in Dalton. NBC reports one of the victims was or will be moved to a burn unit.
A death has been reported but not confirmed.
Firms YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPxYLOk8oH0
I hear that federal authorities have confirmed that one person was killed. At least four others were injured.
A federal official told NBC that the device was thrown from a passing car. Lloyd Cantrell is a person of interest.
The husband of federal judge in Chicago, Judge Lefkow, was killed by a disgruntled litigant. I have personally been threatened because of the Peterson case. I find the problem is that people get too emotionally invested in a case, even when it is not their own case. This obsession is an illness. I just had a client who called me about a small municipal violation case he had in Chicago. He was fined $200 and he told the administrative law judge that he was happy to pay it and that he hoped the city put the money to good use. He was sincre when he said this. That is the right attitude.
You are right Joel. Neither you nor any other lawyer or judge deserves to be threatened.
I for one realize that you are just doing your job.
Holly
As bad as it may seem for this law firm, it can't be half as bad as it is for JOE THE PLUMBER:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Q-BTWOhkyM
My Mother was the person injured while working at the McCamy law firm, and i can say that Mr Cantrell did it and died during the explosion, so why this has not been corrected i do not know! I am currently writing a book about the incident and came across this article while doing research, and thought id correct if for you! Mr Cantrell and his son are responsible and almost took my mothers life. The fact cantrell jr is still alive makes me sick to my stomach and shoudlve been charged, since his dad did this because of the suit filed by his son! The Mccamy Law firm is one of the oldest and most respected in GA today, and should still be treated as so.
Update 2-10-10: Ashlae Stinnett was kind enough to update this story with a comment. (Please see her 2-10-10 comment.) Ashlae indicates that her mother was injured while working at the McCamy law firm. According to Ashlae, Mr Cantrell caused the explosion and died during the incident. Ashlae Stinnett is apparently writing a book about the incident and we do wish her well. Ashlae apparently blames both Mr. Cantrell and his son for the incident; however, the son was never charged. The elder Cantrell may have committed this crime because of the suit filed by his son. This may just be an educated guess. Furthermore, all are presumed innocent unless they are proven otherwise in a court of law.
Ashlae adds that the Mccamy Law firm is one of the oldest and most respected law firms in Georgia. Ashlae, thanks for the update!
Good publicity for the firm!
Any publicity (that is not negative) tends to stimulate phone calls, name recognition and ultimately revenue. Hope it helps this law firm recover from this tragedy.
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