Featured Author
Terry Lord Interview by Neil Gabriel Nanta Feature by Kathleen Crucillo
In the age of informed youth and progressive thinking, justice continues to be a complex subject. It is still intangible to most people, especially to members of the marginalized sector. Terry Lord addresses this problem in his informative memoir, as well as the ethical and moral decisions involved in law enforcement—using the printed word to educate the common people. Terry developed a curiosity for literature from the influence of his 9th- and 12th-grade school English teachers, taking a penchant for writing as a young boy. The same mentors introduced to him the power of persuasive writing and instilled in him that well-read writers produce the best works. He educated himself with the finest literary works from various authors, philosophers, and historians as a way to improve his writing. His enthusiasm inclined him to write about his journey in becoming a federal prosecutor for 30 years and his experiences in a society hampered by corruption and injustice. Terry states, “I wanted to share my knowledge and experience in criminal prosecution with young lawyers and people who wanted a better understanding of law enforcement’s role in the society.” In his first book, ...And Justice for All: Life as a Federal Prosecutor Upholding the Rule of Law, he stresses the crucial role of law enforcement officers and prosecutors in society and the difficult decisions they make in upholding the truth. Being a prosecutor requires a high degree of diligence and a strict moral compass, as does being a member of the community. Everyone must respect honesty and integrity and uphold their social responsibility. Terry urges people to expose the enablers of organized crimes in order to punish those who imperil public trust. He commits to this obligation through his book. New Reader Magazine got a chance to do an exclusive interview with Terry Lord. See how it went right here! New Reader Magazine: With the pandemic going on, how are you? What has life been like at home? Terry Lord: I have managed pretty well during the
8 8
||
NEW NEW READER READER MAGAZINE MAGAZINE
pandemic. Although many of my usual activities have been curtailed, I still play tennis a couple of times a week, and work out with a trainer at the gym to keep myself in shape. Also, I have gone to my ranch on a regular basis to fish and enjoy the countryside. Home confinement has resulted in reading history and keeping up with the news on TV. NRM: Who were your early influences in writing? TR: My English teachers in the 9th and 12th grade were the most influential for my initiation to writing. These ladies were intent on instilling the necessity of reading a broad range of literature, poetry, history and news in order to be a good writer. I learned from them how to write more persuasively by using examples from fine literature and anecdotes from history and the essays of philosophers. They inspired me to write with passion and enthusiasm. NRM: Justice is something that, until now, divides people. So it’s always great seeing writers produce books like yours. How did you feel finishing your book, and knowing your story will influence readers? TR: It was always my desire to reveal the intricacies and nuances of the investigation and prosecution of complex criminal cases. The difficult ethical and moral decisions made by law enforcement officers and prosecutors have a huge impact on the Rule of Law and I wanted to share my knowledge and experience in criminal prosecution with young lawyers and people who wanted a better understanding of law enforcement’s role in society. Writing my memoir gave me a feeling of connection with those who desired a deeper knowledge of how law enforcement really operated at the local, state, federal and international level. I felt that the story of my career might influence some young people who might seek a similar position in public service. NRM: What values do you think a community needs in order to combat corruption? TR: Communities must respect honesty and integrity among all elements and institutions, and, most importantly, law enforcement. Public corruption is the most insidious of criminal activity because it infects every area of illegality from street
