All articles tagged with #defense attorney
Alan Jackson, a prominent defense attorney known for high-profile cases including Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey, is representing Nick Reiner in his arrest for the murder of his parents in Los Angeles. Reiner was detained without bail, and Jackson has not disclosed details about his client’s case or payment arrangements.
U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan sentenced Capitol rioter Antony Vo to nine months in jail, clashing with his defense attorney in heated exchanges during the sentencing. The defense attorney tried to delay the sentencing and claimed Vo did not violate the conditions of his release, but Chutkan disagreed, stating that Vo did not believe the law applied to him. Vo was also ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and will be on supervised release for 12 months after serving his jail sentence.
The judge in Bryan Kohberger's quadruple murder trial criticized his defense attorney for commissioning phone surveys to potential jurors, leading to a heated courtroom exchange. The defense attorney argued that the survey was crucial for seeking a change of venue due to extensive local media coverage, while the prosecutor raised concerns about the survey's impact on potential jurors and dissemination of potentially inadmissible evidence. The judge defended his decision to halt the surveys, emphasizing the need to ensure a fair trial for Kohberger, and scheduled the next court hearing for further discussion.
Defense attorneys in the Trump Georgia election interference case attempted to discredit lead prosecutor Nathan Wade by alleging a romantic relationship with Fulton County District Attorney Fani T. Willis, causing delays and embarrassment. Despite their efforts, the judge ruled that the defense attorneys failed to prove the relationship and demanded that one of them step away from the case. The accusations have led to ongoing investigations and appeals, with Trump using the drama to undermine the legitimacy of the charges against him.
James Crumbley's defense attorney irked the prosecutor during jury selection for his involuntary manslaughter trial by asking prospective jurors questions related to key issues in the case, including parental responsibility, mental illness, and gun access. The prosecutor objected to the defense's line of questioning, leading to a dispute. Of the 15 prospective jurors questioned, six had guns in their homes, and one was excused by the prosecution. James Crumbley is the third family member to face judgment over the 2021 school shooting, with his son already sentenced to life in prison and his wife convicted of involuntary manslaughter.
The FBI conducted raids on homes and businesses in Albuquerque, including the home of a defense attorney used as a law office, leading to the dismissal of 152 DWI cases by the Bernalillo County District Attorney. The attorney, who has not been charged, has represented at least five of the affected individuals. The raids also targeted the home of an Albuquerque police officer. Neighbors expressed shock at the events, and the community is unsettled by the implications for the judicial system.
Bruce Castor, one of former President Trump's impeachment defense attorneys, believes that the upcoming impeachment trial will result in a significant win for Trump.
Judge Fran Gull has dismissed a motion filed by former defense attorney Bradley Rozzi, who sought to have Gull removed from the Delphi murders case. Rozzi claimed that Gull pressured the defense attorneys to withdraw from the case, but the judge ruled that Rozzi had already been withdrawn from the case prior to filing the motion. The motion has been stricken from the records, and Rozzi is no longer considered part of the case.
The defense attorney for Fraser Bohm, the 22-year-old man charged in the Malibu crash that killed four Pepperdine University students, claims that his client was a victim of road rage. The attorney argued that Bohm was trying to escape from someone who was aggressively chasing him before the deadly crash. The defense is requesting a reduction in Bohm's bail from $4 million to $400,000. The judge postponed the bail hearing review until Monday and stated that the victims' families should be notified. If convicted, Bohm could face multiple life sentences.
Duane "Keffe D" Davis, a Southern California street gang leader charged in the 1996 killing of Tupac Shakur in Las Vegas, will be represented by attorney Ross Goodman, a member of a prominent Las Vegas political family known for representing high-profile clients. Davis, who was arrested in September, has not yet entered a plea and is seeking another two weeks to confirm Goodman's hiring. The case has drawn renewed interest in Shakur's unsolved murder and raised questions about the unsolved killing of rival rapper Notorious B.I.G. Goodman has previously handled a range of high-profile cases, including representing former Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Damon Arnette and NFL players Chris Lammons and Alvin Kamara.
Pras Michel, member of the Fugees, is seeking a new trial after claiming that his defense attorney used artificial intelligence (AI) to compile their closing argument during his trial for charges including conspiring to make straw campaign donations and acting as an unregistered foreign agent for China. Michel's new attorneys argue that the use of AI resulted in ineffective assistance of counsel and a conflict of interest, as the attorney had a financial stake in the AI program. The motion also raises other criticisms of the attorney's handling of the case, including a potential contempt of court citation and failure to seek separate trials for different charges.
Sam Bankman-Fried's defense attorney struggled to effectively challenge the testimony of Caroline Ellison, his former girlfriend and the government's key witness in his criminal fraud trial. Ellison testified that Bankman-Fried directed her to use money from FTX customer accounts to fund investments and trading strategies at his cryptocurrency hedge fund, Alameda Research. She also claimed that Bankman-Fried instructed her to withdraw FTX deposits for various purposes, including political donations and hiding losses. The defense attorney faced difficulties in his questioning, frequently changing topics and dates, and even apologizing for referencing the wrong document. The judge intervened multiple times, seeking clarity on the attorney's line of questioning. Bankman-Fried has pleaded not guilty to fraud charges.
Defense attorney Dick Harpootlian, representing Alex Murdaugh, claims that jurors in Murdaugh's murder trial were prejudiced by weeks of unrelated evidence on financial crimes, preventing them from considering the strong forensic evidence supporting Murdaugh's innocence. Murdaugh was convicted in March for the shooting deaths of his wife and son. Harpootlian has filed a motion for a new trial, alleging jury tampering by a court clerk. Murdaugh is currently serving concurrent life prison sentences and has also admitted to stealing millions of dollars from former clients. The case has gained national attention and has led to the reopening of an investigation into a suspicious death in 2015.
Charles Ogletree, a renowned defense attorney and Harvard Law School professor, has passed away at the age of 70 after battling Alzheimer's disease. Known for his advocacy for racial equality and social justice, Ogletree was a mentor to former President Barack Obama and represented notable clients such as Tupac Shakur, Anita Hill, and the Rev. Jesse Jackson. He was also involved in drafting South Africa's post-apartheid constitution. Ogletree's legacy includes his commitment to civil rights work, his prolific legal analysis on TV, and his efforts to raise awareness about Alzheimer's disease.
Former prosecutor criticizes Donald Trump's defense attorney, John Lauro, for making what he deems as an "admission" on live TV regarding Trump's involvement in the January 6th Capitol insurrection. Lauro stated that Trump asked Vice President Mike Pence to pause the Electoral College voting for 10 days to allow state legislatures to review the results, but did not instruct any obstruction of due process. The former prosecutor argues that Lauro's statement can be used against Trump if he were to testify, calling it a "rookie mistake" and not a smart move. The indictment in the election probe alleges that Trump, along with a co-conspirator believed to be lawyer John Eastman, tried to convince Pence to reject Biden's electoral votes based on false claims of election fraud.