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Ask HN: Amazon Kindle inventor is trying to get a friend arrested, advice wanted

10 points by clicks 14y ago

Not very long ago I made my acquaintance with an individual named Robert Kiraly. He struck me as an interesting individual with an interesting resume (http://oldcoder.org/general/misc/aboutme.html#SECTION02 -- Berkeley dual-major graduate, cum magna laude), who surprisingly was willing to help me out on my school assignments, and with my internship projects (programming, and so on). He didn't tell me much about him in the beginning, but I eventually came to found out that he was an autistic 50-something year old individual who was wheelchair-bound, with some sort of speech impediment, and he was penniless (often complaining about coming close to homelessness, and fearing death from sickness). Now I've come to find out that his brother (who I understand is the guy behind the Amazon Kindle) is trying to have him arrested. He's written his side of the story here: http://details.wikidot.com/ -- and though to me it reads a little peculiar at times, I think he's quite frustrated for all that he has suffered over the years (strong physical and emotional abuse when he was young). The court proceedings will apparently be in a few days, is there anything I can suggest to him to help his case? I'll be passing a link directly to him to this thread -- please feel free to address advice directly to him.

unimpressive 14y ago
The majority of people visiting HN aren't lawyers. I personally wouldn't put much stock in legal advice from Internet strangers. Mr Kiraly needs a real lawyer. I do not know how to go about getting him such a thing. (I would wager that something similar to the above is the only "legal advice" that +95% of HN is qualified to give.)
- OldCoder 14y ago
  Thanks and you're probably right. But I'm hoping to attract attention and conceivably find an attorney that way. Time is pretty short for conventional means as I didn't learn about the first hearing until shortly before it was scheduled. In fact, I haven't actually been lawfully served but the hearing will proceed regardless. In just a few days. To be honest, I'm worried about the whole thing. Additionally, there are some unusual aspects to the case. Kenneth Kiraly is apparently the architect of the Kindle. Thomas is a VP of Humana. Some of the allegations are serious but bizarre at the same time. And the entire exercise started when I asked our parents to work on a book. The book was going to touch on abuse and that's certainly a issue of some importance. If enough people see this, it's possible somebody will be interested enough to consider pro bono. BTW I use the Crowley spelling most of the time these days. I don't see myself as related to these people. They aren't my family. Anybody who reads the document might understand why. The family history is interesting, though, and I'll expand it. One person I talked to in the 1990s was an Admiral who ran Security for the Manhattan Project. And James Kiraly's mother (my grandmother) Ann Kiraly was a remarkable woman. Rose to the top of the insurance industry back in the 1940s. James didn't like her much, though. I'm new here and I hope a detailed response is all right. The document explains why I write this way.
OldCoder 14y ago
Thank you. I should explain a few things, if it's all right: 1. Regarding the post title, Kenneth Kiraly isn't a friend. I did teach him to drive a car and to code in 'C'. He also lived with me rent-free for years. Kenneth is my brother. These are the sorts of things that I thought somebody was supposed to do for a brother. The document includes a short biography of Kenneth that explains how things worked out. It will be expanded over time. There are some positive parts worth mentioning. Not many but I'd like the family history to present a complete picture. 2. I was told years ago that Kenneth was the man who had developed the Kindle. And he was interested in convergence as far back as the 1980s. Additionally, people I meet around Silicon Valley all seem to know him. Except me, of course. But I was never able to confirm the Kindle story. He's been cautious about staying out of the limelight; not the way he used to be. Somebody who was curious and checked said there's little about his role on the Amazon Lab 126 webpages. It appears that he did do the Kindle, though. The court papers seem to indicate this. Note: Since I've mentioned the court papers, I should add that I haven't been lawfully served. The whole thing is tiring and confusing. And more than a bit frightening. Gee, thanks, Kenny. I haven't read that part of the court papers closely but I gather Kenneth is furious that I've sometimes referred to him as the Kindle Kid. I don't see what's wrong with calling Kenneth the Kindle Kid. I think I'm entitled. I'm the big brother who taught him to code in 'C'. I helped to teach him to walk and I remember the expression on his face when he took his first step. There's other things I haven't mentioned. I think Kenneth may have forgotten about some of them. I don't deserve to placed in a criminal database for saying Kindle Kid. That isn't the way Kenneth and Thomas (he's a VP at Humana) are playing it; but see the history of the case if you're curious. 3. Regarding the wheelchair remark I see in the post above, I should explain that I walk perfectly well most of the time. I'm just in the wheelchair occasionally. This was a gift last year and it helps in the apartment but it doesn't work outside. The story of how I received it is in the document.
- unimpressive 14y ago
  Okay so, after reading your story, one question feels very unanswered: You mention writing a book, what is it about?
  - 14y ago

10 points by clicks 14y ago

unimpressive 14y ago

The majority of people visiting HN aren't lawyers. I personally wouldn't put much stock in legal advice from Internet strangers. Mr Kiraly needs a real lawyer. I do not know how to go about getting him such a thing. (I would wager that something similar to the above is the only "legal advice" that +95% of HN is qualified to give.)

OldCoder 14y ago
Thanks and you're probably right. But I'm hoping to attract attention and conceivably find an attorney that way. Time is pretty short for conventional means as I didn't learn about the first hearing until shortly before it was scheduled. In fact, I haven't actually been lawfully served but the hearing will proceed regardless. In just a few days. To be honest, I'm worried about the whole thing. Additionally, there are some unusual aspects to the case. Kenneth Kiraly is apparently the architect of the Kindle. Thomas is a VP of Humana. Some of the allegations are serious but bizarre at the same time. And the entire exercise started when I asked our parents to work on a book. The book was going to touch on abuse and that's certainly a issue of some importance. If enough people see this, it's possible somebody will be interested enough to consider pro bono. BTW I use the Crowley spelling most of the time these days. I don't see myself as related to these people. They aren't my family. Anybody who reads the document might understand why. The family history is interesting, though, and I'll expand it. One person I talked to in the 1990s was an Admiral who ran Security for the Manhattan Project. And James Kiraly's mother (my grandmother) Ann Kiraly was a remarkable woman. Rose to the top of the insurance industry back in the 1940s. James didn't like her much, though. I'm new here and I hope a detailed response is all right. The document explains why I write this way.

OldCoder 14y ago

Thank you. I should explain a few things, if it's all right: 1. Regarding the post title, Kenneth Kiraly isn't a friend. I did teach him to drive a car and to code in 'C'. He also lived with me rent-free for years. Kenneth is my brother. These are the sorts of things that I thought somebody was supposed to do for a brother. The document includes a short biography of Kenneth that explains how things worked out. It will be expanded over time. There are some positive parts worth mentioning. Not many but I'd like the family history to present a complete picture. 2. I was told years ago that Kenneth was the man who had developed the Kindle. And he was interested in convergence as far back as the 1980s. Additionally, people I meet around Silicon Valley all seem to know him. Except me, of course. But I was never able to confirm the Kindle story. He's been cautious about staying out of the limelight; not the way he used to be. Somebody who was curious and checked said there's little about his role on the Amazon Lab 126 webpages. It appears that he did do the Kindle, though. The court papers seem to indicate this. Note: Since I've mentioned the court papers, I should add that I haven't been lawfully served. The whole thing is tiring and confusing. And more than a bit frightening. Gee, thanks, Kenny. I haven't read that part of the court papers closely but I gather Kenneth is furious that I've sometimes referred to him as the Kindle Kid. I don't see what's wrong with calling Kenneth the Kindle Kid. I think I'm entitled. I'm the big brother who taught him to code in 'C'. I helped to teach him to walk and I remember the expression on his face when he took his first step. There's other things I haven't mentioned. I think Kenneth may have forgotten about some of them. I don't deserve to placed in a criminal database for saying Kindle Kid. That isn't the way Kenneth and Thomas (he's a VP at Humana) are playing it; but see the history of the case if you're curious. 3. Regarding the wheelchair remark I see in the post above, I should explain that I walk perfectly well most of the time. I'm just in the wheelchair occasionally. This was a gift last year and it helps in the apartment but it doesn't work outside. The story of how I received it is in the document.

unimpressive 14y ago
Okay so, after reading your story, one question feels very unanswered: You mention writing a book, what is it about?
- 14y ago