Hi, guys. I thought this time I’d take a step away from the exposés I’ve been writing and give you a quick case update. As some of you may know, in March 2024, I filed a civil rights suit against Faris Dixon (Pitt County District Attorney), ECU Health Medical Center (Greenville, NC hospital), and Dr. Karen Kelly (Medical Examiner).
Without going into case details, I’d like to talk about the optics here, which are quite unbelievable in my opinion. But before I go any further, I must say… I am not writing this blog post for the sake of causing anyone any embarrassment. I am discussing a set of dynamics that I find extraordinary.
SO, WHO ARE THE FIVE ATTORNEYS?
Two of the attorneys, Terrence McKelvey and Daniel McClurg, are from the prestigious K&L Gates law firm. One of the founders of the firm was Bill Gates, Sr., hence the namesake. Gates, Sr. was the father of the Microsoft guy, Bill Gates, Jr. The Gates firm is representing ECU Health.
The other three attorneys are from the NC Department of Justice; Jeremy Lindsley, Chris Carreiro, and Elizabeth O’Brien. Kelly is represented by Lindsley. Dixon is represented by the other two.
BUT WHY FIVE?
This is a question that I do not have a clear answer to. After I filed my case, initially only three counsel filed a notice of appearance; McKelvey, Carreiro, and Lindsley – one per defendant. I was a bit surprised when I saw this on the docket. I thought that since ECU Health started all of this mess they’d hire a firm to represent all three. But I was wrong.
Soon, however, I noticed a fourth attorney appear on the docket. McClurg filed a notice of appearance to also represent the hospital. This was a bigger surprise, because I did not know what was going on. My first reaction was to wonder if all of this manpower was necessary. But it soon occurred to me that adding McClurg may have been necessary, because he is based in North Carolina, whereas McKelvey is in Tennessee.
I filed my civil rights case in March 2024, and until recently, it was the four attorneys representing the three defendants. However, on January 13, 2025, O’Brien filed a notice of appearance to also represent Dixon. Huh?
WHAT DOES THIS LOOK LIKE TO YOU?
What do you see here? For me, I see a wall of attorneys with a crap ton of combined education, experience, and power…. against just me. Don’t get me wrong here. I think I am holding my own fairly well. But the fact still remains that I am a pro se litigant, meaning that I am not represented by counsel. I don’t have a law degree, and I have virtually no resources other than my brain and my computer.
Meanwhile, they have education, experience, paralegals, assistants, and access to information that probably does not come out of their own pocket. And they are surrounded by other attorneys who have the same who may be willing to share ideas with them.
THE REALITY IS A SLAP IN THE FACE
This is real, y’all. I am actually battling entities who have committed wrongs for years. It is bad enough that I had to bury my daughter; my best friend…. something that none of the defendants have probably had to do. But they added insult to injury when they covered up her death. Then they compounded my agony when they made moves to cover up their illegal conduct for a decade.
And now is no different. The defendants seek to bury their illicit behavior even more by shielding themselves with all of these attorneys; attorneys who have taken on the task to try to have my case dismissed.
SILENT MEDIA OUTLETS
Why hasn’t any news source covered this story? Where are their investigative journalists? I know that many outlets subscribe to court dockets. That’s how they get their initial information. Then they move forward with stories using such phrases as, “allegedly” and “according to court documents.”
Are they silent because I represent myself, thus believing my suit is frivolous? If that is the case, have they not seen the massive legal team representing the defendants? That alone should tell them that my case is just as serious as any other.
MY FEELINGS
I think media outlets have missed several opportunities to bring the injustices I have faced to the public. My fight is not just about me. What happened to Keisha White and how her case has been handled can happen to anybody within the media’s coverage areas.
And as far as the defendants? I think they all should be ashamed of themselves. But whether they are is for them to say. All I know is if I win my case I will have accomplished one hell of a feat. And if I lose… Jesus, Mother Mary, and Joseph… look at the magnitude of strength I will have lost to. So, win or lose, I am super, super proud of my efforts.
If you’d like to follow my civil case, the file number is 4:24-cv-00051. It is filed in the US District Court in Eastern NC. Websites like courtlistener.com will allow you to view some documents for free.
Let me know what you think in the comments. You may do so anonymously, and I will respond. Also, remember that sharing does not cost a thing. Thank you for your support! 😀
