Round Three of the panel discussion on the Mel Ignatow interview, conducted by attorney T. Clay, will be presented this Thursday, March 12th. 2015 at the Jefferson County Public Law Library. Reception starts at 4:30 followed by panel discussion and interview at 5:00 pm. Please RSVP by responding to this email or calling 502-574-5943.
Double Jeopard by Bob Hill
The Jefferson County Public Law Library has been offering a monthly forum addressing attorney authors, discussions, and timely topics for the legal community and the public. It has been well-received and is incredibly flexible. This part of the series began with Bob Hill discussing his book “Double Jeopardy” [click on this link for a description of the book and a chance to buy it directly from the publisher] on the Mel Ignatow murder trial. We had the opportunity to catch some of his insights into his interview and writing of this book.
During this discussion, Thomas Clay, Louisville attorney, who was appointed by the federal judge to handle Mel Ignatow’s perjury charges contributed to the discussion immeasurably with comments from his jailhouse interview with Ignatow.
Attorney Thomas C. “T” Clay
There was such interest that another forum was scheduled on February 5, 2015 when Attorney T. Clay shared with nearly forty of the library’s patrons more details of that jailhouse interview that he had conducted with Mel Ignatow after evidence was found of his guilt, in the murder of Brenda Sue Schaefer. Mr. Clay was joined by Justice Johnstone and members of his staff as well as Prosecutor James Lesousky.
We were also privileged and honored to hear from those who were also close to this trial – those on the staff of then Judge Martin Johnson (the trial judge).
There was so much to share that another forum was set for February 18, at which time excerpts of the recorded interview put chills in my spine to hear this psychotic and evil man discuss what he had done.
Retired Justice Martin Johnstone
And now, we have what might well be the concluding discussion this Thursday, March 12th where Justice Johnstone, Jim Lesousky, and T. Clay are scheduled to return to again take a look back at what can only be described as a brush with evil and the lingering reflections from a heinous crime nearly a quarter century ago which still is fresh in the hearts and minds of many in Louisville.
However, let us not forget the victim, Brenda Sue Schaefer, and her family who has endured pain and a loss that should be endured by no one. When Ignatow’s name comes up, think about shooting up an “arrow” prayer for them and all the others who have prosecuted justice for our benefit and which most probably has exacted a price that time will never heal and none of us ever come near to comprehending.
In 2012, the FBI files were released in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request by WLKY (click here for the story, access to the files and the two news stories by WLKY’s investigative reporter Steve Burgin).
