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| Head Bashing Myth |  Demoralized (Mother's Reflections)|

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Based on an incident that occurred more than a decade ago, Phillips has persistently been targeted in highly publicized news reports using terminology that is very much associated with  "domestic" violence by professionals who primarily function in such environments. In the 1990's, unsupported rumors broadcast as facts alleged that while in an interracial relationship, Phillips, a potential Heisman Trophy candidate, "savagely beat" a girlfriend who, like Phillips on football scholarship, was an athlete attending college through an athletic scholarship (basketball). None of the vicious  claims of brutality reported by media were declared by alleged victims or witnesses at the time of the incident, were not noted in the police report, nor were supported by evidence (see Attorney Hal W. Anderson, next paragraph). Despite no factual basis for the reports, the public outrage to such falsehoods set in motion a cycle of criminal and civil allegations, law suits, court proceedings and career setbacks that continue to defy Phillips' true identity and qualities, and to deny him the capacity allowed accused persons to protect against wrongful accusations without apprehension about contesting them.  

After receiving an anonymous late night (around 2 am) telephone call that his girlfriend (the alleged victim) was in trouble in an apartment at a certain address, Phillips went to that address intending to assist. Finding a different scene than described in the telephone call, Phillips admits, he is not proud of his reaction, unsuitable language and an uproar that fed mis-reports and exaggerations by media, including projections of a badly mis-shapen mailbox and reports that the alleged vicious beating included bashing the alleged victim's head into the mailbox. In a  letter to NFL Management, Attorney Hal W. Anderson (Lincoln, Nebraska) referenced the police report of the scene at the time of the incident, writing: "the victim indicated in the police report that she did not recall Mr. Phillips ever striking her"; that "an independent witness indicated that there was no indication that he struck her" and the "young man in the apartment did not indicate that Mr. Phillips struck her" (excerpts used by permission).

    Demonized vs. Demoralized-Mother's Reflections   Reflecting on public images of him, Phillips' mother declares "It once was perplexing and heartbreaking that Lawrence has come to be perceived so differently from his true nature: big-hearted generosity; genuine trust in people's inherent honesty, integrity and goodness; witty with a good sense of humor; a loyal but candid friend; devastated when he fails himself, friends, loved ones & family, others, or God with improper action. He is also one whose struggle with the human condition has at times met head-on with the human condition struggles of others."

            "For more than a decade, printed media and broadcasts have depicted Lawrence's struggle with the human condition as so much more awful than is common to humankind and the sum total of who he is. Lawrence is a person with imperfections, like each of us. Unlike most of us, he has had every mistake and error, as well as ruthless falsehoods  relentlessly proclaimed in the public spotlight since pre-adulthood. Much of the world audience is convinced that allegations and assumptions about Lawrence permit that he be sanctioned to the point of publicly declaring his supposed worthlessly as a human being and the impossibility of a meaningful future. But quite the opposite, I finally have the courage in God to say, not so - God forbid! Words are spirit and they have power! Yielding to such truth,  I declare words of hope and promise for Lawrence's future and sow spiritual word seed which supports the Creator's power to draw Lawrence towards Himself and to His ultimate good.  

             It is encouraging that through the unlikely persistence of the public defender's appeals which followed Lawrence's recent conviction, God Himself moved the spirit of California's Supreme Court to examine a prior judicial process against Lawrence. Their findings so far hint at judicial violations directed at Lawrence which continue to impact the present click here for more.

             The tireless efforts of the deputy public defender have brought to thoughtful consideration the possibility of grievous judicial wrongs against Lawrence. Just as significantly, unanimous California Supreme Court consideration of such past wrong  reaches so much farther than Lawrence. Countless, nameless faces whose supposed value as a news item won't bring the same level of widespread attention as Lawrence, will, hopefully, benefit from uncovering systematic wrongs committed daily against certain accused persons in many local American justice systems.  

            With much faith in the Creator's power, I look ahead to His working all things out for good for Lawrence and his accusers.