LETTER TO THE EDITORIAL: Lawyer made sure children could handle a difficult criminal case

Dear Editor,

Recently, I was a part of a criminal trial (State v. Jeffrey Caulder) where Shipp Daniel prosecuted the case. I would like to let you know what an amazing job Shipp did on this case! He made the three children in this case feel so comfortable and worked hard to build a working relationship with them.

When children have experienced severe trauma, they often have great difficulty trusting adults and having a relationship with them. Shipp earned their trust and worked so hard to help them through the court process which can often be traumatic for children.

Shipp worked hard to make the trial a positive closing experience for the kids. He was in constant contact with me making sure that his preparation work with the children was not negatively affecting the therapeutic healing process. He gained my opinion on clinical issues related to the children and trial. My intent for writing this letter is to make you aware of what a compassionate solicitor you have in Dillon County. He was absolutely wonderful to these children through this difficult process. The children have stated that when they were testifying that they looked at Mr. Shipp when they were nervous and he smiled at them and made them feel better. He is a compassionate solicitor with a conviction for justice. He has a wonderful way of making children comfortable.

It is my hope that you will congratulate him on a job well done and, most important, a job that made the lives of three small children better! His closing argument was filled with passion and conviction.

It is my hope that you will congratulate Shipp Daniel on a job well done, not in just winning the case but in making the lives of three children better!

Gaye Allen-Cook
TherapyWorx Inc.
Florence