people happenings
Protecting Liberties BY RANDI AILEEN PRESS
Nancy Hope Manno, a local Weston resident, has been protecting liberties for over 26 years as an investigator for the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office. The Public Defender’s Office is appointed to represent clients who face the loss of their liberty and are determined by the court to be unable to pay for a private attorney. The Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office, headed by elected Public Defender Carlos J. Martinez, represents clients in criminal, juvenile and mental health matters. Manno began her career as an investigator in 1985, handling general felony cases for 12 years until joining the Capital Litigation Unit in 1997. This specialized unit within the Public Defender’s Office, known as CLU, handles first degree murder cases where the State of Florida is seeking the death penalty. There are two phases of a capital murder case. In the first, the defendant’s guilt or innocence is decided. If the defendant is convicted of first degree murder, the jury of 12 then decides, by majority, to recommend either life in prison or the death penalty. The judge usually follows the jury’s “I feel compassion for recommendation. Currently in Florida, the family who has there are three hundred and ninety eight lost a loved one. It’s men and four women on death row. Normally, cases are set for a first heartbreaking at times. But the constitution appearance hearing within 24 hours of ensures that arrest. There is no bond in first degree murder cases, so the defendant is defendants have the remanded to jail and the Public Defender’s assistance of counsel Office is appointed if the defendant is for their defense. “ indigent. “My initial interview is important, since clients often have medical or mental health issues that need to be addressed immediately. I can also determine if there is investigation that is time sensitive, like requesting a surveillance tape before it is erased”. Manno spends much of her time seeing clients in jail, locating and interviewing witnesses, canvassing crime scenes, reading police and medical examiners reports, and reviewing crime scene photos. “It’s important to understand the attorney’s case theory. An effective investigator should be approachable, curious, and tenacious … I’ve kept digging and have found records that weren’t thought to exist.” “I work closely with the client and their family to
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AUGUST 2012 | LIFESTYLEMAGAZINEGROUP.COM
NANCY MANNO
learn background information,” says Manno. “The way many of our clients started out is so different from what most of us can imagine, from trauma, abuse, mental illness, and poverty. I’ve asked witnesses about hearing gunfire on a particular night, and they’ve sadly told me that is something they hear almost every night”. “I am very proud to work in a law office that many consider one of the best in the country. I work with a group of immensely talented and dedicated lawyers and support staff. But this type of work is difficult and can take a toll on you. You can’t imagine some of the things I’ve seen. Sometimes I just can’t wait to get home to hug my kids. I feel compassion for the family who has lost a loved one. It’s heartbreaking at times. But the constitution ensures that defendants have the assistance of counsel for their defense. And, there is no justice if the wrong person is convicted. There have certainly been cases where, years later, DNA showed the wrong person was convicted”. There’s another side to Nancy. She’s kind, funny, and a deeply loyal friend who has been involved with many charities. She’s a Florida Gator, happily married, and the proud mother of two children. And, you just might see her around Weston cheering for her son’s baseball team. LP