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Librarian trial postponed

Published: Thursday, October 29, 2009

Updated: Friday, November 6, 2009 15:11

zimmerman

Devin Zimmerman

The trial of former part-time Northeast Lakeview College librarian Alan Godin, set to begin Oct. 30, was postponed.

Godin remains in custody at the Bexar County Detention Center in lieu of a $250,000 bond on a charge of first-degree murder.

John Combery, Godin’s attorney, did not return calls to The Ranger. As of Nov. 5, no date had been set for the trial in the 187th District Court.

Donald Devin Zimmerman was at work Oct. 20, 2008, in the Albertsons facility on Pat Booker Road when Godin walked into the library and fired repeatedly at Zimmerman, witnesses said.

Zimmerman was the only casualty.

Below is last week's story on the trial

It has been a year since Northeast Lakeview College Librarian Donald “Devin” Zimmerman was killed over a feud with a co-worker.

Alan Godin, a former part-time librarian at the college, goes on trial  at 9:30 a.m. today in the 187th District Court.

Zimmerman was at work Oct. 20, 2008, in the Albertsons facility on Pat Booker Road when Godin, who lost a full-time position to Zimmerman, walked into the library and fired repeatedly at the librarian, witnesses said.

Zimmerman was the only injury. After firing, Godin sat down, set down his gun and waited for the police to arrive. He has been in custody and charged with murder in the first degree since then on a $250,000 bond.

After the shooting, the library closed and reopened on the new campus of Northeast Lakeview.

Library Dean Tracy Mendoza said in an e-mail Oct. 23 that the college and library has “identified a beautiful old-growth live oak to be designated the Reading Tree in honor of Devin’s passion for the Earth and education.”

Mendoza also  noted the dedication of the Donald Devin Zimmerman Library Instruction Classroom.

Julie Nichols, who worked at Northwest Vista with Godin’s wife, Christine, has filled Zimmerman’s position since May. She said by phone Tuesday that she enjoys being back at a community college.

Nichols worked at Northwest Vista for three years before transferring to the University of Texas at San Antonio for 2 1/2 years.

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10 comments

Anonymous
Mon Apr 19 2010 04:16
The trial is set to be held on June 11, 2010 at 9:00am in the 187th District Judicial Court.

Also, a very confused and misguided man named Mr. Godin caused the death or Mr. Zimmerman. End of story.

GOD Be with THEE
Tue Dec 29 2009 16:28
Hiring practices at AC? What's that? Employees are barely keeping their jobs these days with all the outsourcing going on..........oh that doesn't exist at the top! It's ashamed for a life to be lost like this, but the one that pulled the trigger made that poor choice. But AC needs a lot of shaping up starting with the Board, then the Chancellor on......let the little people make an honest living......don't take what little they have.
ec
Mon Nov 16 2009 17:50
I would agree that the institution should have been away of work violence. However, the institution did not pull the trigger. This man CHOSE to commit murder. You can point the fingers at the institution but ultimately this man decided to take a life. What right did godin have to take his life? If life isn't what we expected, in this case at work, are we to take up arms and kill those who offend us? he took a life - now he must pay the consequences.
Your name
Wed Nov 4 2009 11:43
Has you noticed that Vanessa Sanchez always has her facts wrong?
Your name
Wed Nov 4 2009 02:12
There are so many people invested their time and energy, to find work at Alamo colleges. Everyone needs a job to keep a roof over your head, feed themselves and their families, and pay the bills. Having a job is a basic necessity. It’s a simple human right. Its time for Alamo colleges to change hiring philosophy. Its time to ensure part time employees is treated fairly in recruitment, compensation and promotion.
Your name
Tue Nov 3 2009 21:36
This is a tragic death and a time to remember the gentleman killed. Find a way to memorize him and stop pointing fingers.
Marie
Sun Nov 1 2009 12:22
Check your facts. The trial has been delayed again. Also, Mr. Godin did not "lose" a job to Mr. Zimmerman. Rather, he was discouraged from applying. Another new position was coming available and he hoped to gain that one. Tragically, that was postponed, too. The AC hiring practices are a mess.
Clarissa
Fri Oct 30 2009 12:27
The hiring practices are not to blame. It is not known what an individuals choices will be. This sort of incident would be possible anywhere, at anytime. If anything, I commend the hiring practices at NLC. The community here has been able to come together and mourn and then create ways to remember and honor Devin.
Your name
Thu Oct 29 2009 20:05
Which hiring practices?
Your name
Thu Oct 29 2009 17:52
The hiring practices at Northeast lake view caused this tragic death.






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