Sects Lawyer Described As Principled, by Elizabeth White, The Herald, April 11, 2008

Sect's Lawyer Described As Principled

By Elizabeth White
The Herald
April 11, 2008

http://www.heraldonline.com/wire/nation/story/480711.html

Veteran lawyer Gerry Goldstein is known for taking on cases that challenge him and address higher constitutional principles, colleagues say.

He appears to be getting both with his latest undertaking: The San Antonio lawyer is representing the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, a polygamist sect whose 1,700-acre compound was searched by authorities after a 16-year-old girl there called a family violence shelter to report her 50-year-old husband beat and raped her.

Attorney Gerry Goldstein who is representing the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints of Eldorado, Texas, walks out of 51st Judicial District Court in San Angelo, Texas, Wednesday, April 9, 2008. Lawyers for the polygamist sect that is the subject of a massive child-abuse investigation argued in court Wednesday that although its members' multiple marriages and cloistered ways may be unusual, they have a right to their faith and privacy.
Photo by Tony Gutierrez

Goldstein "wouldn't condone the polygamy or child abuse or anything like that," said J. Craig Jett, president of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, where Goldstein is a past president. "But my guess is he sees it as a bigger issue of the government interfering with the exercise of religion. It probably is an issue that resonates with him a great deal."

Goldstein, 64, has argued that the search of the soaring white temple in the West Texas compound is analogous to searching the Vatican or other holy places. He urged authorities to handle any documents seized with respect.

Jett, who has known Goldstein for 20 years, said he is well versed in search and seizure issues and is known for having a "penchant for wanting to do the right thing," including representing the underdog if he believes in the cause.

Jett recalled that Goldstein took on a post-Sept. 11 civil liberties case representing a doctor or medical student who was detained as a suspected terrorist.

"They (the government) were absolutely wrong," Jett said, adding that Goldstein "did great work, fundamental work when we were all reeling from the 9/11 attacks."

Goldstein graduated from the University of Texas law school in 1968 after doing undergraduate work at Tulane University and was named outstanding criminal defense attorney by the State Bar of Texas in 1991, according to a resume released by his law office. He is also a past president of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

The gray-haired, cowboy boot-wearing California native said this week he would not speak to the media.

Jimmy Allison, executive director of the San Antonio Bar Association, said Goldstein is well respected in the city.

"He's a top-notch lawyer and a top-notch person," said Allison, who has known Goldstein for more than 25 years. "Anything that's a challenge to Gerry he'll look at."