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Our Successes

Top-Notch Trial Lawyers. Bottom-Line Results.

Obtaining Results For Our Clients

For decades, Atlanta-based Garland, Samuel & Loeb has pursued one goal: obtaining justice for every client who walks through our door. Our team of lawyers has a reputation for excellence that is widely recognized and respected in Georgia and beyond.

Cases

  • Don Samuel obtains reversal of client's murder conviction after State erroneously introduced rap music video at trial

    For the second time in as many years, Don Samuel gets to call a client and tell them their life sentence and murder conviction have been vacated.

    This morning the Georgia Supreme Court reversed the client’s murder conviction where the sole issue on appeal was whether the trial court’s introduction of a 33-second long rap music video was erroneous under a rule of evidence that limits the introduction of evidence when its prejudice to the defendant is substantially outweighed by its value to the state. (Rule 403) Don’s client was accused of murdering a security guard at a night club after an argument ensued over whether the club was closed. The client was definitely present at the club at the time of the shooting, and he did get in an argument with the security guards, but there was no direct evidence that he was the shooter.

    The state introduced a 33-clip of a video called “Ghetto Angels” which showed the client holding a semi-automatic pistol with an extended magazine.

    In a 60-page opinion, the Supreme Court of Georgia explained why this evidence should have been excluded under 403 and why it was not harmless error. Justice Warren (the author of the opinion) pointed out that the state failed to present a link between the client’s performance in the rap video and his motivation to shoot at this security guard; and that in fact, the only link was to show that the client was a violent gunman – which is impermissible propensity evidence. In a footnote, the opinion points out that the state failed to present any evidence that this performance was not “wholly theatric.”

    Georgia’s 403 rule mirrors the federal rule – so this opinion should be helpful even to those practitioners outside of the Peach State.

    You can read the full opinion here: https://www.gasupreme.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/s23a0860.pdf

  • Amanda Clark Palmer secures Not Guilty verdict

    GSL attorneys Amanda Clark Palmer and Joel McDurmon secured an acquittal for their client, a former jailer charged with having illegal sexual contact with two inmates in Douglas County. The client was charged with two counts of improper sexual contact by a law enforcement officer as well as two counts of violation of oath of office (one of each count for each alleged victim). Prior to deliberations, the judge dismissed one of the oath of office counts. After deliberations, the jury acquitted the client of one count of improper sexual contact and hung 10-2 as to the remaining two counts.

    Prior to trial, the State announced they intended to bring in testimony from another witness who allegedly experienced similar conduct by the client. Joel McDurmon thoroughly researched the allegations and interviewed the witness several times. As a result of his diligent preparation, the State decided not to call the witness at all.

    The plea offer made prior to trial was that the State would ask the judge to sentence the client to 10 years to serve for a charge that required life time sex offender registration.

    If you are facing a serious felony charge, call GSL today for a free consultation.

  • GSL Secures Dismissal of Murder Charges

    Partners Don Samuel and Amanda Clark Palmer have been representing Claud "Tex" McIver since 2017. He was charged with Malice Murder and Felony Murder (and other crimes) related to the shooting death of his wife Diane. Along with attorney Bruce Harvey, Don and Amanda vigorously defended the case at trial. After a two-month trial and days of jury deliberations, the jury returned a confounding verdict: they found Tex Not Guilty of Malice Murder but guilty of intentionally shooting his wife and causing her death. The verdict was appealed.

    In 2022, a unanimous Supreme Court found that several errors were made by the trial court which required a new trial. (McIver v. State, 314 Ga. 109 (2022) read the opinion here)

    Prior to the retrial, GSL successfully argued that the state could not introduce any evidence that Tex intended to kill his wife or that he had any financial motive in shooting her. This important ruling, restricting the state's trial presentation, led the state to immediately file an appeal, bringing a halt to the retrial. Subsequently, GSL was able to obtain a dismissal of the remaining felony murder charge and a plea to a reduced charge of Involuntary Manslaughter (meaning Tex did not intend to shoot or kill his wife).

    Read the AJC article here

  • Garland, Samuel & Loeb Secures Sentence of a Year and a Day for Client who Stole 53,000 Bitcoins Worth up to $3.4 Billion

    In 2021, John Garland, Amanda Clark Palmer, and Don Samuel, defended a man from Gainesville who was charged with wire fraud involving stealing 53,000 bitcoins from the Silk Road darknet market in 2012. When the Government' seized the bitcoin they were worth roughly $3.4 billion, making it the second largest financial seizure in US history. The GSL team was able to secure a negotiated plea which resulted in a prison sentence of a year and a day. GSL's client will likely serve only five months in custody.

  • Success in Convincing Government to Dismiss RICO charges and allow Accountant for the Gold Club to Plead Guilty to Misdemeanor with Non-Reporting Probation for 12 months

    Don Samuel was counsel for the Chief Financial Officer in The Gold Club Trial. The trial began as a major organized crime, RICO prosecution, but resulted in a misdemeanor plea for his client in the fourteenth week of trial with a sentence of 12 months non-reporting probation.

  • Federal Judge Dismisses Charge of Murder for Hire Against Jim Sullivan

    Don Samuel was counsel in the case of US v. Sullivan, in which the defendant was charged with hiring a hit man to murder his wife. His wife was killed by a man delivering roses to her house. The case was tried in the United States District Court in Atlanta and the judge dismissed the charges at the close of the government's case, granting a directed verdict of not guilty.

  • Jury Acquits Doctor of all Charges in Assisted Suicide Prosecution

    In 2011, Don Samuel and Kristen Novay were counsel in the successful defense of Dr. Lawrence Egbert, the founder and medical director of Final Exit Network. Dr. Egbert was prosecuted for voluntary manslaughter in Phoenix, Arizona. The State alleged that Dr. Egbert and the Final Exit Network were involved in assisting hundreds of people commit suicide. Following a three-week trial, the jury returned a not guilty verdict.

  • Judge Tosses Obstruction of Justice Charges Against President of Local Chapter of the Outlaw Motorcycle Gang

    In 2014, Don Samuel, along with Kristen Novay, was appointed by the federal court to represent the southern regional president of the Outlaw Motorcycle Club on charges of obstruction of justice in federal court in the Northern District of Georgia. At the conclusion of the trial, their client was found not guilty of all charges by the judge who directed a verdict of not guilty.

  • Acquittal of Police Officer Charged with Murder

    In 2019 and with his partner Amanda Clark Palmer, Don Samuel represented Robert “Chip” Olsen, a Dekalb County police officer who was charged with two counts of murder and lesser charges of assault and violating his oath of office. Following trial and six days of deliberations, the jury acquitted Olsen of both murder counts and found him guilty of the lesser charges.

  • Georgia Supreme Court Reverses Murder Conviction and Adopts the “Cumulative Error” Rule For All Future Cases

    In 2020, Don Samuel persuaded the Georgia Supreme Court to adopt the “cumulative error” rule in criminal appeals, which requires the appellate court to reverse a conviction if several errors in the trial court rendered the trial unfair, even if any one of the errors, viewed in isolation, did not support a reversal. State v. Lane, 308 Ga. 10 (2020).

  • Georgia Supreme Court Overturns Murder Conviction in the Case of Tex McIver

    In 2022, Don Samuel and his partner, Amanda Clark Palmer, succeeded in appealing and overturning the murder conviction of Claude “Tex” McIver. In a unanimous decision of the Georgia Supreme Court, the Court held that the trial court erred in permitting the prosecution to introduce various theories of motive for the alleged murder that had no factual support and also failed to properly instruct the jury on the possible lesser offense of misdemeanor involuntary manslaughter. McIver v. State, 314 Ga. 109 (2022).

    Closing Argument at Trial

  • Settlement of Homicide Charge in Movie Director's Case

    In 2015, Don and his partner, Ed Garland represented the Director and Producer of a movie who were charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of a crew member who was killed by a train. Both were facing ten years in prison. After a year of negotiating with the prosecutors, the case against the Producer was dismissed entirely and the Director entered a guilty plea and was sentenced to serve 12 months.

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Where others see problems - Garland, Samuel & Loeb sees opportunities.

With decades of experience, countless trials, untold time studying the law, the skill to envision creative solutions to complex problems, dedication to the client, and fearless advocacy in the courtroom, Garland, Samuel & Loeb knows how to make a difference for the client.

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Contact Us How Can We Help You?

When you hire the law firm of Garland, Samuel & Loeb, you can rely on us to do everything in our power to reach the best possible outcome in your case. Whether you have suffered a serious injury in an accident or are facing criminal charges, our attorneys will fight to see that your rights are protected from the start.