Just Stupid
CBS is reporting that Feds to Oppose Moving Tucson Shooting Trial.
As expected all of the Federal judges in Arizona recused themselves and the Feds had to bring in Judge Larry Burns, a Federal District judge from San Diego. The real clue that the trial was going to have to be moved was when all of the Federal public defenders recused themselves, requiring the Feds to bring in Judy Clarke, who is also based in San Diego, to defend the accused. Here’s a hint: if the people whose job is to defend people accused of Federal crimes don’t feel they can be fair and impartial, you will play hell finding a jury, and, you will also play hell convincing the Court of Appeals that you accomplished that miracle.
4 comments
IIRC, Judy Clarke has taken on some fairly big-name cases as a public defender: Kaczynski and Moussaoui come to mind. Loughner could do worse.
I agree, though, about the jury. Good luck.
She also represented Eric Rudolf, and I would note that she has been successful in avoiding the death penalty for her clients, which is a lot, considering the sheer volume of evidence against them.
She is easily the most experienced defense attorney in the US when it comes to this type of high profile terrorist case.
Hopefully this is just a pro-forma move by the Federal prosecutors. Otherwise, as you point out, it means that these prosecutors are the dumbest lawyers since Orly Taitz…
– Badtux the Similarly-baffled Penguin
It makes no sense to me, unless the local US Attorney is planning on running for office in Arizona and doesn’t want to lose control of the case.
I would hope they take Judy Clarke for the defense seriously, or they could screw this up.