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Article: Jimmy Lerner

On April 8, 2002, staff writer Linda Davis published an article in the Contra Costa Times about a man convicted of voluntary manslaughter. The article was titled Addict, Convict, Author, and focused on a former California resident, Jimmy Lerner. A thorough review of the article raises many moral and ethical questions about the individual, the legal system and the media. The nature of the crime and events leading up to Jimmy Lerner's minor celebrity status leaves one to believe criminals should not profit from his crime, nor should they be given recognition as a celebrity. This research paper will reveal contradictory statements, and raise question or doubt about the conviction, the sentence served and Lerner's potential mental state to support the belief that criminals should not reap any rewards from his or her crime.
Jimmy Lerner is a shrewd individual who managed to profit from his ability to exploit the system by lying and manipulating people. His background is impressive; having an MBA and a successful 18 year career at Pacific Bell as a marketing executive. At the time of his heinous crime, Jimmy Lerner was a middle aged man, married with two daughters, living in an upscale community outside San Francisco. This was a man living the American dream but his addiction to drugs, alcohol and gambling brought that way of life to an end.
In November 1997 Jimmy Lerner killed a friend, Mark Slavin, during a weekend of drinking, drugs and gambling. On that fateful weekend, Jimmy Lerner beat and strangled Mark Slavin with a belt and plastic bag. When Jimmy Lerner called 911 he claimed to have killed Mark Slavin in self defense, yet he exhibited no self defense wounds from the knife wielding victim. The only indication of conflict on Lerner's body was his swollen hands from beating and strangling Mark Slavin. Jimmy Lerner had a great deal to lose if he was convicted of charges beyond self defense.
Jimmy Lerner was a desperate man attempting to map out a plan to...