Attorney Edmonds gained notoriety when she represented Carolyn Jean Thomas, the widow of Donald Thomas, an African American male who was the victim of a hate-crime murder committed by three (3) teenaged skinheads on June 6, 1991 in Arlington, Texas. William Trey Roberts and Joshua Hendry pled guilty to the murder and received 40 years and 20 years in prison, respectively. William Christopher Brosky pled not guilty. Subsequently, in March of 1993, the juvenile skinhead, William Christopher Brosky, was found guilty of murder by an all-white jury. He was sentenced to 10 years probation. As a result of the light sentence for such a heinous murder, the public displayed a strong outcry for justice. Three days later, more than 15,000 people marched in downtown Fort Worth, Texas, to exhibit their dismay over the punishment, and protested the flaws within Tarrant County justice system. Later in November 2003, Brosky was indicted and tried for Engaging in Organized Crime and with the Intent to Commit Murder. He was sentenced to forty (40) years in prison. The case received wide-spread media coverage from CNN, Court TV, NBC, ABC and CBS, Donahue Show, Inside Edition, Impact, print media and radio stations across the country, and including the British Broadcasting Network.

Attorney Edmonds prepared Mrs. Thomas’ for her breathtaking testimony before the Texas Legislature on the Hate-Crime Bill. The Bill passed unanimously. Then, on June 19, 1993, the Late Governor Ann Richards invited Mrs. Thomas and Attorney Edmonds to the Texas State Capital for a special signing ceremony of the Hate-Crime Bill, which became law on September 1, 1993.

Attorney Edmonds also filed a civil lawsuit against the criminal defendants, their parents and Chevron U.S.A. for the wrongful death of Donald Thomas and received a monetary recovery for Mrs. Thomas.

Rio Hair Litigation Class Action
"A Consumer Class Action Lawsuit"

In December 1994, Attorney Edmonds filed a federal consumer class action lawsuit on behalf of Linda Wilkerson, Ollie Faggett and others against World Rio Corporation, the manufacturer and distributor of a defective hair relaxer product, Rio Hair Neutralizer. The hair product caused extensive hair loss, scalp damage, baldness, hair discoloration and mental anguish to thousands of African American woman, men, and children. It was promoted through a compelling infomercial which aired in the United States and Canada. Attorney Edmonds was one the steering committee attorneys for the national class action. In 1996, Honorable Gerald A. Rosen, federal judge for the U.S. Eastern District in Michigan approved a limited fund settlement in the amount of $4.5 million for the class members and attorneys. The case received national and international media coverage.

Lisa Courtney et.al. vs.
Michael Helms et. al.
"A Prisoner's Death Case"

In June 1997, Attorney Edmonds filed a lawsuit in federal court on behalf of Lisa Ann Courtney Crenshaw, the widow of Gary Lee Crenshaw and his children for his wrongful death and violations of his civil rights against several Texas Correctional Officers at the French Robinson Unit in Abilene, Texas. The case received intense media coverage because portion’s of the inmate’s death were videotaped and revealed that little or no medical care was provided to inmate Crenshaw prior to his death. In 1999, Federal Judge Sam Cummings approved a settlement for his heirs.

Shena Murphy vs.
Fort Worth ISD
"A School Law-Student's Rights Case"

In January 2003, a graduating honor student, Terry Carter, was suspended from Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School, and referred to an alternative school for 40 school days for reciting an original rap poem in an Open Mic contest during his Creative Writing Class. A female student took offense to the lyrics of the poem and interpreted them as a threat towards her. Terry appealed the decision and received a 10-day suspension.  Pending his appeal, Superintendent Thomas Tocco, held meetings with others and failed to provided Terry and his lawyer notice before he permanently banned Terry from returning to his home school. In April, 2003, a federal lawsuit was filed alleging violation of due process.  Honorable John McBryde reversed FWISD’s board decision and ordered Terry’s immediately return to his home school.