SLRC in the News
7 June 2001

Oleichi's Attorney Defends Charges of Texas Racial Assault

Black Mountain, NC -- Kirk Lyons, attorney for Ryan Zane Oleichi, a 13-year-old student at Labay Middle School outside of Houston, Texas who was viciously assaulted as he was leaving school on 19 February, told Sierra Times Thursday he has received many inquiries into the matter. He insists as unbelievable as the story may sound, it is unfortunately true.

"The Southern Legal Resource Center (SLRC) represents the student in question and his mother. SLRC Chief Trial Counsel personally interviewed the mother and student and received a letter from the family doctor," Lyons said in a press release.

The letter contains detailed information about the nature of Ryan Zane Oleichi's injuries, for which he was hospitalized three days according to hospital records.

On Tuesday, Sierra Times did confirm from listening to the Chris Baker Show (Houston KPRC - AM 950) several persons making allegations, from folks who knew of the incident, claims young Oleichi was a "racist."

"The letter from the doctor has detailed information about his injuries," said Lyons.

The Southern Legal Resource Center is continuing this investigation, but already have statements from at least four witnesses. "We are glad for those," said Lyons, "Ryan didn't remember what happened. Fortunately, there were others around."

The Harris County Constable's office (Precinct 4) also conducted it's own investigation, which is in the hands of the SLRC.

The two alleged perpetrators, black and Hispanic classmates, objected to a book that Ryan was carrying home because it had a picture of the Confederate battle flag on the cover. Ryan got the book from the school library for a report that he was doing on Gen. Robert E. Lee.

Since school in now out of session, the two alleged perpetrators cannot be disciplined by the school at this time. There was no one available to give Sierra Times any comment when contacted.

"The mother [Melinda Hill] is not doing well," said Lyons. Ryan is one of Melinda's two children. The younger, a two-year-old, according to Lyons speaking for Hill, will never be attending public school in the future. "From this point, her children will be home schooled."

© June 7, 2001, The Sierra Times