Lawyer Randy Turner responsible for pitbull attack

Last year Steven Woods' pitbulls got out of his house and attacked two elderly people. Woods was written up three times from April to June in 2010 because of his dangerous pitbulls. According to the Star Telegram "In one case, a 64-year-old woman was attacked and seriously injured by four pit bulls. A municipal court judge ruled in October that Steven Woods' dog Mimi was dangerous after finding evidence that she was involved in an attack on an 84-year-old man in July. In another instance, two police officers reported having to use pepper spray against two aggressive pit bulls that they said Woods acknowledged were his."

During the two day trial Turner kept saying that it was "malicious prosecution." In an email posted on the internet Turner writes "This is the worst case of malicious prosecution I have seen. Steven was told by the city attorney yesterday that that decision 'comes from the top', which obviously means someone way high up in city government." (sic)

Turner sent another email far and wide to try to encourage people to attack the City. "If anyone would like to let the city of Fort Worth know how they feel about this vindictive prosecution of a disabled American war hero here are the contacts. I am only sending this email to a few people and a couple of groups so please feel free to forward." (sic) Turner also supplied email addresses of city officials to ensure threats and harassment from thousands.

According to the Star Telegram "Mimi was to be euthanized if Woods did not comply with the dangerous-dog ordinance, which requires that it be spayed, kept in an enclosed area or on a leash and muzzled whenever outside. Woods must also carry $100,000 in liability insurance." Woods who lives on $780 in disability said he could not afford to comply.

Turner sent out another internet plea for donations to cover the costs, "My client is a young Iraq war veteran who was permanently disabled by a roadside bomb.  (He walks with a cane, has little control of his bowels, is incontinent, wears a catheter, and suffers from PTSD).  His psychiatrist recommended that he get a dog as therapy, which he did." $17,000 was donated for Woods.

Had Randy Turner not sent out a plea for donations, Woods would not have had the money to comply. Mimi would have been euthanized and unable to attack the pregnant couple and their baby last week.

Of course it was later learned that Woods never served in Iraq, was not wounded in the war, is not disabled and Mimi is not a therapy dog. Woods impersonated a soldier which is actually a crime. He even had the nerve to show up in court dressed in a uniform. A few days after Turner found out that his client was a total fraud he quietly resigned as his lawyer. Unbeknown to most he was still personally aiding and abetting Woods and Mimi.

What is even more ironic about this case is the fact that Turner spoke for a strengthening of the Fort Worth, Texas dangerous dog code Council item G-16653 on 08/11/09. Even his lawyer wife Patti Gearhart Turner was for the motion which passed. Yet, while he was defending Woods in court Turner said his client shouldn't have to comply with those new regulations. If Woods had complied with the regulations, his dog would not have been able to attack the couple and their baby.

Woods' dogs are not the only ones with a criminal rap sheet. Woods also personally assaulted two people last year. He was charged with "assault bodily injury" cases 1235660 and 123566. He is currently out on a $7,000 bond. His trial begins 08/10/11. According to a police report, "Woods became 'belligerent' when a neighbor confronted him about his dogs chasing a group of children and the neighbor feared 'he would have ... to shoot the dogs.'"

If the name "Turner" sounds familiar to locals it's because he ran for Judge of the 17th District and lost by a landslide 11/04/2008. He also ran for Judge of the 342nd District and again lost by a landslide 11/02/10. Generally private practice lawyers who run for judge are not cutting it in private practice. They just want to sit on the bench to collect the consistent salary of a Judge.

Turner's wife Patti Gearhart Turner is also a lawyer. She graduated magna cum laude from law school. This is ironic. She's on the board of trustees of the "Texas Center for Legal Ethics - Professionalism in Practice." Their goal is "to promote the practice of law by Texas lawyers in an ethical and professional manner." She is currently chief of staff for Texas Wesleyan University President Frederick G. Slabach.

Woods' trial is set for this coming Thursday at 2:30 p.m. said Brandon Bennett the City's code compliance Director. Woods may also face charges, Bennett said. "At the very least, Woods is facing multiple criminal charges, and it is still a question whether any of those will be a felony," Bennett said. "That will be determined next week." Stay tuned for an update after the hearing.

More articles about Steven Woods, "dangerous dog" Mimi and Randy Turner.

http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/07/29/3257177/seized-pit-bull-could-face-euthanasia.html

http://www.the33tv.com/news/kdaf-steven-woods-vet-dog-mimi-18-thousand-story,0,2727656.story

http://blog.dogsbite.org/2010/12/fort-worth-pit-bull-owner-steven-woods.html

http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/12/28/2731697/fort-worth-says-it-will-keep-pursuing.html

http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/12/28/2731698/web-story-about-fort-worth-therapy.html

http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/11/22/2652406_web-campaign-is-success-for-disabled.html

http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/05/28/18680622.php