On Sept. 19, the Fair Trial Initiative presented Greenville attorney Ernest “Buddy” Conner with its first J. Kirk Osborn Award, recognizing excellence in public service, mentoring and outstanding advocacy on behalf of indigent men and women. Osborn was the chair-elect of the Fair Trial Initiative’s board of directors at the time of his death in March.

Conner was recognized for exemplifying Osborn’s outstanding mentorship and courtroom skills. Conner and Osborn represented one of three Duke students charged in last year’s well-publicized sexual assault case in Durham.

Stuart Taylor – a columnist for the National Journal, a contributing editor at Newsweek and co-author of an upcoming book on the Duke case – spoke at the awards ceremony, held at the Carolina Club on the UNC campus.