Althouse: Murder defendant tries to strangle his lawyer...

May 25, 2006

Murder defendant tries to strangle his lawyer...

... in court, in front of the judge.

Cue the lawyer jokes. In a shameless bid for leniency....

9 comments:

Anonymous said...: Sounds like the attorney had a Fisk-like response, as when Fisk got beaten up in Saudia Arabia and then opined later how he understood how they felt.; 5/25/06, 10:27 AM
Mark Daniels said...: "I think he just didn't like the way some of the rulings the judge was making was going yesterday morning," said the attorney who was choked.

Oh, I get it, the assault was the judge's fault.

In a single statement, the attorney exonerated the defendant and maybe, himself.

Mark Daniels; 5/25/06, 10:37 AM
MadisonMan said...: In a single statement, the attorney exonerated the defendant and maybe, himself.

Isn't that what a good lawyer does?; 5/25/06, 10:54 AM
Simon said...: One detail the story omits: was this appointed counsel, or the defendant's own choice?; 5/25/06, 11:46 AM
Beth said...: I guess he hasn't liked the way other things have gone in his life; it would be pretty hard to presume this guy's innocence at this point.; 5/25/06, 12:25 PM
KCFleming said...: A question about law:
Can a defendant ask for a mistrial because he prejudiced his own case himself?

I remember long ago reading Bugliosi's Helter Skelter, and V.B. opining that their disruptions seemed to be so directed.; 5/25/06, 5:26 PM
Maxine Weiss said...: Many criminal law attorneys apply for permits to carry concealed weapons.

Peace, Maxine; 5/25/06, 10:17 PM
Bruce Hayden said...: I sure would (legally) carry a concealed weapon if I were a criminal attorney, prosecution or defense. Many of these defendants are going away for a good chunk of their lives to prison, and, not surprisingly, often feel like their attorneys didn't do enough for them.

Remember first that a lot of defendants can't afford really good attorneys, and, thus, end up with public defenders, who are overworked and underpayed. Also, all the lawyers get to go home after the trial, while the defendants often go off to prison.

So, yes, I am not surprised that there is animosity here - just surprised that it doesn't boil over more often.; 5/25/06, 11:34 PM
bearbee said...: One detail the story omits: was this appointed counsel, or the defendant's own choice?

I read another article that indicated the attorney was court appointed. The attorney is 59 years old.

So will there automatically be new charges for attempted murder or must charges be made by the chokee? If there is a trial and if the attorney is required to testify I assume any prior client-attorney communication must remain privileged?; 5/26/06, 5:49 AM