In a message dated 7/6/99 3:35:56 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

<< I thought the "Tombs"  was/were long gone? >>


The current Criminal Courthouse (a 1939 blocky vertical-streamline thing by
Harvey Wiley Corbett) is known as the Tombs - the jail is also part of the
structure.  I have gone into hear felony cases - very depressing, all the way
around.  On a recent night a J. Crew looking 17 year old prep school student
- accepted to Tulane for this fall - was up for 2nd degree robbery.  He
bought a bag of marijuana on 86th and Lex, which turned out to be oregano,
and got in an altercation with the dealer, who claimed the boy stole his
$mega$ Rolex.  The defense attorney claimed  the dealer was just trying to
get even, and had a history of false accusations.

I was only there for the bail hearing - he was released on $3000 for trial in
August - but boy I have never in my life seen a sober person look so
miserable.  His parents - working class folk who were trying to give him the
best - looked happy to see him out, but still crushed.

Signed,  Keep your nose clean