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Translating For Luong

By Tiffany Craig Investigative Reporter

Lam Luong's attorney wants a translator to make sure nothing gets lost in translation. The DA is not buying the language barrier! Translating For Luong

Published: Tue, January 15, 2008 - 8:40 pm

Tiffany Craig

Lam Luong is charged with four counts of capital murder in this case and was back in court on Tuesday.

Luong was brought in wearing a bulletproof vest and shackles. His attorney asked the judge to allow the hiring of a translator to help in the case.

Joe Kulakowski says his client is uneducated and doesn't understand legal jargon.

Mobile County District Attorney John Tyson says audio tapes released from a jail conversation between Luong and his lawyer last week are proof that his English is fine.

Tyson says, "I wanted to use this as an opportunity to make crystal clear this man can and does understand the English language, is able to speak the English language is able to communicate even in what Mr. Kulakowski calls is esoteric legal terms. He's able to do that. Its documented in the tapes that they have released and to suggest to the world that otherwise is a fiction and i can't let that go unchallenged."

The request for a translator was granted by Judge Charles McKnight. Unless another request comes up, Luong's doesn't go back to court again until the 5th of March.

Luong moved to the United States in 1984.

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Justice Says:

Wed, Jan 16, 2008 at 5:18 pm

Do not be mad a Judge McKnight. He is making sure that this is done BY THE BOOK. The defense will scream at trial that this man did not understand his rights. If he was not given a translator then the Supreme Court would overturn his conviction. The next thing is I bet that the Attorney will want to move the trial out of Mobile County due to all the publicity. And that this poor SOB can not get a fair trail in Mobile.

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Katw Says:

Wed, Jan 16, 2008 at 3:54 pm

You can be upset with Charlie McKnight or any other Judge but he did what needed to be done in order for this to be done right. I sure didn’t like it either, I could translate for free, Luong you killed 4 children in the most horrible way you should be taken out, end of story. What part of that don’t you understand!!!!!

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tallyho Says:

Wed, Jan 16, 2008 at 10:43 am

Like i said before, here is how it works in the system. If the judge just removed from the bench in Mobile was still on the bench then he could get spanked in the back room. Would not need a translater.

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Carinthia Says:

Wed, Jan 16, 2008 at 9:42 am

He don’t need to be giving a translater...he needs to be waterboarded everyday for a good long time...and kept in a room wall papered with pictures of those babies....then they need to find the tallest bridge in America...bind his hands and feet....then let his wife push him off...and watch him drown...and let the fish eat his sorry self....

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Wayne225 Says:

Wed, Jan 16, 2008 at 7:16 am

At least the Judge McKnight is thinking ahead. Can you say “Appeal”? Because sure as heck, if Luong hadn’t been granted one, it would be the grounds for an appeal. And we all know there are going to be plenty of those.

To District Attorney John Tyson, I would like to remind you that your job is to get this man convicted and executed ASAP. Stop the grandstanding, dot your I’s and cross all the T’s so that Mr. Luong gets only one appeal. I don’t wqnt to wake up 30 years from now to finally learn that he’s been executed. Get the job done and get it done RIGHT!

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Janet Says:

Tue, Jan 15, 2008 at 8:38 pm

Judge Charles McKnight. I’ll remember your name, especially when it comes time for you to be re-elected. John Tyson, I think this is a very, very appropriate time and situation for you to “throw your weight around” and get what the public wants.

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