High-profile lawyer Hardin robbed at gunpoint

[dws1117]

This may have been posted. I've been away for a few days and didn't see it anywhere.

Sounds like he needs a CHL.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/hea ... 47781.html

Aug. 29, 2006, 7:48AM



High-profile defense attorney finds himself victim of a crime
By ANITA HASSAN
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

Defense attorney Rusty Hardin, whose high-profile client list includes former Houston Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich and former Police Chief C.O. Bradford, was robbed at gunpoint outside his home in West University Place early Saturday morning, authorities said.

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Hardin, who is currently representing Mayor Bill White's teenage daughter in a drunken-driving case, said he got home after midnight Friday after having dinner with his wife and some clients. Hardin and his wife had taken separate cars, and he arrived home shortly after she did.

When he got out of his car, the 64-year-old attorney said, he was approached by two men with a gun in his driveway on the 2700 block of Barbara Lane.

Hardin said the men forced him to the ground, put a gun to his ear and demanded money. They took his wallet, containing his driver's license, credit cards and cash.

Police said the men ran north down the street.

"They were there and gone within 10 minutes," Hardin said.

West University police responded to Hardin's 911 phone call shortly after the incident and, with the assistance of the Bellaire Police Department, began a search for the men.

Shortly after the incident, Bellaire police attempted to pull over three men in a green vehicle with a license plate light that wasn't working, but the men sped away.

West University police spotted the same car later, and six Bellaire and West University police officers stopped it.

The men were ordered out of the car one by one. Hardin's property and a gun were found inside the vehicle. All three men were arrested; it was a little over an hour after the robbery, police said.

"The West U. (police) response was incredibly quick," Hardin said. "They did a hell of a job."

Officer C. Castillo said such a crime could happen to anybody.

"I think it was just a random act," he said. "I think they just picked old Mr. Hardin this time. I don't think they knew who he was."

All three men are charged with aggravated robbery; one is also charged with evading arrest with a motor vehicle.

Among several high-profile civil cases, Hardin represented the estate of the late Houston oilman J. Howard Marshall II in litigation involving his widow, former Playboy model Anna Nicole Smith, and one of his sons.

Hardin, a former prosecutor who spent 15 years with the Harris County district attorney's office, said he had never defended anyone for aggravated robbery before. He said he may or may not in the future.

"This didn't add a new dimension except that this time it was me," he said. "I was just luckier than most people."

anita.hassan@chron.com

[KBCraig]

This is a reminder for folks who think "it can't happen here" because they live in a nice neighborhood.

I don't know Houston's housing areas, but I'm betting that Mr. Hardin doesn't live in the barrio or ghetto.

[longtooth]

Got to be nicer than mine & yours.

[sparx]

I don't know Houston's housing areas, but I'm betting that Mr. Hardin doesn't live in the barrio or ghetto.

I bet you're right on that one, and wouldn't doubt that his address possibly had something to do with the response time. Ya' think perhaps?

[seamusTX]

West University is probably the second-priciest area in Houston (River Oaks is the first). It's also not far from some less-desirable real estate.

- Jim

[KBCraig]

I plugged "2700 Barbara Lane" into google maps. It's a couple of blocks west of Rice U.

I also switched to satellite view: big houses, complex rooflines, and lots of swimming pools.

[Venus Pax]

The homes in West U Place are well into the millions. If you're looking to rob someone, that's a prime location. The people living out there certainly have a few extra bucks.

[Paladin]

I wonder if Mr. Hardin has a CHL? As a former prosecutor I would guess he does. If he doesn't, maybe Derek needs to get Rusty to get out to PSC or Thunder Range for some training. So he's ready the next time

[stevie_d_64]

Attempted to pull over???

But they sped away???

Looks like the spin off of HPD's new chase policy is working real well...

And Hardin looked so happy late last week going into court with the Mayor's daughter...

[97Octane]

We dont know specifics, but the atricle made it sound like these BG's were seasoned criminals and knew what they were doing. If they approached with guns drawn, and and forced him to the ground with the gun at his ear, there would be little he could have done even if he was CCW. They would have found it in his case.

This is only complicated by multiple attackers. What would or more importantly, what could you do? He escaped with his life in this case, but if he had drawn, at least in this particular instance, his having a weapon could have cost him his life. Just some food for thought.

Sounds like these BG's knew what to do to reduce their risk.

[Paladin]

This is only complicated by multiple attackers. What would or more importantly, what could you do? He escaped with his life in this case, but if he had drawn, at least in this particular instance, his having a weapon could have cost him his life. Just some food for thought.

Sounds like these BG's knew what to do to reduce their risk.

Carrying a gun concealed gives you the benefit of surprise. When they ask for you wallet you could just produce your gun.

If you have the proper situational awareness, you will be paying attention to someone following you or comming up your driveway behind you. If persons unknown follow me up my driveway, I draw my weapon while maintaining concealment and start working on a plan.

Also, the BG's putting a gun to my ear is way too close... for THEM. I have practice/training on how to disarm an attacker. My wife didn't believe that I could do it so we did a demo with my airsoft gun. She knows better now.

[seamusTX]

When he got out of his car, the 64-year-old attorney said, he was approached by two men with a gun in his driveway on the 2700 block of Barbara Lane.

I wonder why he didn't open the garage door with the remote control and drive in.

I imagine the thugs were lurking in the bushes, and this suggests the crime was not random.

In the bigger picture, Mr. Hardin could easily afford a bodyguard/driver. He is a millionaire many times over. Aside from the risk of random assault or robbery, his high profile might attract crazies.

- Jim