DISCLAIMER

First of all, except in your mind’s eye, Solita County, California doesn’t exist. Neither do I nor any other characters in Deadly Duty. We are each products of the creative mind of author Martin C. Brhel, Jr., a retired prosecutor who has been a California trial lawyer since 1977.

(He has asked me to not bore you with his entire resume.) Fictional writing is the art of story telling. Like me, your protagonist, Deadly Duty is tried and true fiction. But, the author does not seek to minimize the importance of staying reasonably close to what truthfully happened.

The author clearly understands that any similarity between any real person and any of Deadly Duty’s characters is pure happenstance. Any real life events are merely inspiration for this novel. And, therefore, he has asked me to relay that to you so there is no misunderstanding.

Marty remains ever mindful of the job of any novelist. First and foremost, they should never deprive their readers of a good tale. It’s my sincere belief my instigator has accomplished just that with this 397 page missive and its equally important message.

Deadly Duty’s plot, inspired by the actual unprovoked ambush slaying of Houston repo man Tommy Deen Morris, is a reverential tribute to his memory. Like any other novel, its author has taken creative license in sharing with you his interpretation of what he believes are relevant facts, significant or otherwise.

It is hoped one of Deadly Duty’s primary points properly portrays the determined mission of Tommy’s grief-stricken widow, Donna Morris. Against seemingly impossible odds, she tirelessly sought to recoup denied justice. It appears to me she has succeeded.

She first sought it from the Texas criminal justice system, only to have her heart broken again by its abject failure. Next, she dealt with a more understanding civil justice system. And, finally, she has patiently awaited this novel’s painstaking completion.

Please remember something. T.D. was brutally shot to death on February 25, 1994, while just trying to do his job. Sadly, although he had a well deserved reputation for being very good at what he did for a paycheck, the legal system let him and the rest of the Morris family down.

One good guy murdered. One bad guy free. No arrest. No indictment. No justice.

            Deadly Duty poses this question to Texas legislators. Isn’t it time you folks rethink Penal Code 9.41, et seq? Like me, the author is a hidebound traditionalist who has written at least one law himself. He faithfully subscribes to that time-tested axiom “…if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it…”

But, does that truism really apply to this ancient legislative enactment? If so, why has this 1880’s-vintage law, meant to deal with yesteryear’s cattle thieves, evolved into little more than a marginally-legal license to kill contemporary Texas repo men?

In the author’s humble opinion (…at least he says he’s humble…I’m just not sure…you be the judge…), this statute fails to differentiate between what’s legal and what isn’t.

Should Texas law empower your state’s property owners to rightfully protect their belongings from criminals? Of course it should. As Thomas Jefferson once said, “…the only purpose of government is to protect the People…”

But, does this mean it’s okay for your lawmakers to meddle with the ability of Texas’ own repossession industry to perform a legitimate task, i.e., lawfully seizing vehicles from delinquent registered owners in order to protect the security rights of legal owners?

Neither the author nor I think so. But, once again, you be the judge. If Deadly Duty convinces even one Austin-based legislator to rethink this particular state statutory scheme, then Marty Brhel tells me he’ll consider his twelve plus years writing it time well spent. Semper Fi.

On behalf of the author,

Col. Joshua Edward “Truth” Travers, USMC, ret.

Solita County District Attorney