R.I.P. Vernon Davids, trusted friend and attorney-at-law, passed away on May 11, 2015. He was 81 years old. Vernon was one of Tommy Zeigler’s original trial attorneys.
Vernon Davids saved Tommy Zeigler’s life twice appealing before the Florida Supreme Court as Tommy was awaiting his execution. Together with Ralph “Terry” Hadley, they laid the foundation to save Tommy by preserving issues for appeal.
When I needed to familiarize myself with the Zeigler case (when I was still with Amnesty International), I received the much-needed help from two men: Phil Finch gave me his book and encouraged me to keep writing about this case. The second man was Vernon who sent me trial transcripts and other documents needed. Both men have now passed away.
Over the years, Vernon remained in touch and kept me posted on what was happening in Tommy’s case. He was never too busy to explain something, never too busy to help others understand the complexities in the case. He never complained about calls at odd hours and the postage as at that time, I still lived in Switzerland.
As soon as I find the obituary, I will add a link in this post as well as (hopefully) another photograph. But I wanted to post this now to pay my respects to Vernon.
R.I.P. Vernon Davids.
UPDATE:
- Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Fri., May 15, 2015 at Lemon Bay Funeral Home in Englewood, FL.
- Services will be held at 1:00 pm on Sat., at Church of the Nazarene in Englewood, FL.
- Funeral arrangements by: Lemon Bay Funeral Home and Cremation Services.