Opinion articles provide independent perspectives on key community issues, separate from our newsroom reporting.

Letters to the Editor

Phillip Smith: Pitts offered voice for prisoners

As a convicted man, I hate to see Lewis Pitts go (“Troubled lawyer resigns from law,” Jan. 19 news article).

Prisoners and the accused have no voice other than those designated to speak for us. Sadly, if most attorneys did half the job they were supposed to do, a good number of us would have shorter sentences or wouldn’t be in prison at all.

In no way do I wish to speak against victims, but I have inalienable rights, too, and as Pitts explained, we are under-represented. I understand his frustration.

Though I applaud Pitts’ protest, my only regret is that he is not my attorney because I could use a hero right now.

Phillip Smith

Nashville

The writer is serving a life sentence at Nash Correctional Institution.

This story was originally published February 11, 2016 at 5:04 PM with the headline "Phillip Smith: Pitts offered voice for prisoners."

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