Nevada Iraq War Vet Receives Pro Bono Legal Help

Online, October 1, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Veteran Las Vegas criminal defense lawyers Brian J. Smith and Gabriel L. Grasso have taken up the cause of John Radell, an Iraq war vet who has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Mr. Radell was an Army reservist who was summoned to active duty in support of Operation Enduring/Iraqi Freedom in 2003. He suffered a traumatic brain injury when an improvised explosive device ("IED") was detonated under the vehicle he was riding in. He subsequently received an honorable discharge from the Army due to disability.

Mr. Radell was arrested on August 24, 2011 in Pahrump, and charged with several counts of assault with a deadly weapon after he allegedly pointed a handgun at several people, including his wife. He was arraigned in Pahrump Justice Court on June 26, 2012.

"Mr. Radell first contacted my office to inquire about retaining me," said Brian Smith. "After speaking with him for a few minutes, a couple of things became very clear to me. First, his story was extremely compelling. Second, he really couldn't afford the type and quality of legal representation he needed. So I talked the matter over with my friend, Gabe Grasso, and we decided to offer to represent Mr. Radell free of charge."

"It's a privilege to be able to extend a helping hand to John Radell. He is a true hero in our eyes," said Gabriel Grasso. "Mr. Smith and I both feel that law enforcement and the criminal justice system in southern Nevada are poorly equipped to deal with the issue of returning combat veterans who suffer from PTSD. The resources available to help these people are few and far between. We hope to bring this very important issue to the forefront of the public's attention by our representation of John Radell."

Brian J. Smith is a veteran criminal defense lawyer who practiced in New York City before relocating to Las Vegas. He is admitted to practice in Nevada, New York and Washington and has achieved a winning record in criminal defense. To learn more about Brian J. Smith and the services he offers, visit http://bjsmithcriminaldefense.com or call (702)380-8248.