Those who argue that the old adage, “Once a junkie, always a junkie,” is true should read a June 27, 2010 article in Parade Magazine about attorney Rick Dyer. This 58 year old man is not only a prominent Boston lawyer, but he also has the backing of powerful supporters who urge Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick to appoint him as a judge.
Dyer, started off sniffing glue at an early age and then graduated to alcohol and heroin. The need to support his drug habit caused Dyer to compile an arrest record that include crimes such as stealing cars, breaking and entering, and grand larceny.
Although Dyer has been drug-free for decades, the author of the Parade article, ,Linda Himelstein, writes that at one point in his troubled life Dyer had a 48 bag a day heroin habit. Dyer went through a revolving cycle of jail, half-way houses, and the streets until help from an unlikely sources, the criminal justice system, gave him the strength to turn his life around.
The late judge, Charles “Chick” Artesani ,is looked upon by Dyer has as someone who cared and who tried to help him overcome the obstacles in his life. Judge Artesani sentenced Dyer to prison, but he also would recommend drug programs and mental health treatment when those options were available. When Dyer stopped using drugs it was Judge Artesani who helped Dyer get into law school. Equally important, Judge Artesani helped Dyer obtain a pardon from former Governor Michael Dukakis.
In 1983 Governor Dukakis, impressed by the way Dyer changed his life, opened the door to Dyer’s entry into the Massachusetts Bar by granting him a full pardon. Dyer recalls Judge Artesani as telling him that he was never “arrested,” but rather “rescued.”
Dyer went on to become a compassionate and respected lawyer, using his experience to help others to take back their lives. Dyer’s amazing story has Judge David Donnelly, Probation Officer Kevin McClerklin and other influential citizens believing that Dyer’s redemption can be an inspiration to others.
A commission made up of 21 members will consider if Dyer is qualified to be a judge. If found to have the necessary qualifications, the Governor can select him for a judicial position.. At that point, a public hearing to allow his supporters and detractors have their say will be convened by the Governor’s Council. After consideration by the Governor’s Council, Dyer’s appointment will either be accepted or denied. Dyers’ supporters believe that Rick Dyer is proof that the system works, and that his appointment will be a strong argument that redemption is obtainable by those willing to seek it.
|
|
|
|
