Honoring Thomas Mesereau as a Champion of Justice

On Sunday, the mayor and police chief of Los Angeles joined several hundred people at a black church in the city to honor and thank Michael Jackson’s attorney, Thomas Mesereau, as a champion of justice. Mesereau took on the defense in Michael Jackson’s case of allegations of sexual abuse of a 13-year-old boy. Michael was found not guilty by the jury on June 25 of this year. Thomas Mesereau, along with Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the police chief, Bill Bratton, moved with and clapped for the church choir during the performance. In his speech at the ceremony, the mayor said: "We are here to honor a man who is a good example for all of us. He is a white man who, over the years, has fought against violence. He is one of the founders of a legal counseling center that serves and helps low-income and poor people in the community." The mayor also said that Mesereau travels to Alabama every year to take on, free of charge, the defense of a defendant sentenced to death. The church pastor also called Thomas Mesereau a lawyer who has no fear of facing unpleasant and tense situations and people head-on. "You saw that he went through a very difficult process in Michael Jackson’s case." The pastor’s remarks were met with applause from the audience, which continued for several minutes without losing intensity. Mesereau, too, said in his speech: "I am deeply moved and honored. I am very grateful to all of you." Los Angeles Police Chief Bill Bratton also told reporters outside the church: "It is important to have people like Tom, who rush to help their neighbors when help is needed." Source: eMJey / Associated Press