Sunday, December 05, 1999
Cop killer thankful for opportunity
Attorney feels obligation to help others
BY DAN KLEPAL
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Derek Farmer knows some debts can never be repaid. That's why the 42-year-old attorney, convicted of aggravated murder in 1974, has dedicated his life to helping people in the future.
Derek Farmer, right, confers with co-counsel Kenneth Lawson during his first trial Friday.
(Tony Jones photo)
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Mr. Farmer spoke Saturday to the nonprofit Justice Watch — an organization dedicated to improving the court system — then answered questions.
They were Mr. Farmer's first public comments since the firestorm erupted over his admission to the Ohio bar.
“There are certain debts you cannot repay because the cost is too high,” Mr. Farmer said. “So you have to pay forward, by going out and giving of yourself to others.”
The transformation from criminal to counselor brought criticism during the past month from judges, prosecutors and police, who say Mr. Farmer should never have been allowed to take the bar.
Keith Fangman, president of the local Fraternal Order of Police, has said taking the bar is a privilege, not a right. But Mr. Farmer thinks the opportunity to become a lawyer was given to him by a power higher than the Ohio Supreme Court.
“I still think this is spiritual,” Mr. Farmer said. “This is not about me personally, but it's about God blessing me and using me as a vehicle for something else.”
Tom Luken, father of Cincinnati Mayor Charlie Luken and former mayor himself, told the group that most of that criticism is politically motivated.
Joe Dougherty of Forest Park said Mr. Farmer's speech moved him. He said there are people in his own home who think Mr. Farmer shouldn't be a lawyer.
He's not one of them.
“I'm impressed at how humble he is,” Mr. Dougherty said.
Mr. Farmer was sent to prison for his role in the 1974 deaths of a Dayton police officer and a civil rights activist. Although not the triggerman, Mr. Farmer participated in a jewelry store robbery with the shooter minutes before.
“But I have nothing but respect for police officers,” Mr. Farmer said. “They saved my life. Although I was unarmed, I could have been killed at the scene and it would have appeared justified.”
He began practicing law for Kenneth Lawson's Cincinnati firm last month, and won his first case Friday.
Since his swearing in last month, Mr. Farmer has received interview requests from national media such as 60 Minutes, Dateline NBC and Good Morning America. He turned them all down, and decided to make his first appearance at the Justice Watch dinner instead.
“It's important for me to be here,” Mr. Farmer said. “If we have justice without mercy, where would we be? None of us would be here today.”
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