A judge slammed the lawyers of accused butcher Levi Aron, ripping them for their inexperience and their gripes about media coverage of the case.
In an unusual and hastily-called hearing Tuesday, Supreme Court Justice Neil Firetog grilled lawyers Pierre Bazile and Jennifer McCann about their legal chops. Had they been public defenders, Firetog said, he would have assigned more seasoned attorneys.
Replacing Bazile and McCann isn’t an option, since they were hired privately.
“[I’m] concerned that counsels don’t have the experience to try a complex case such as this,” Firetog said. “My only concern is that the defendant gets a fair trial.”
Bazile, 40, said he once assisted as a lawyer in a murder trial. McCann, 30, said she never tried a homicide case and has six total trials under her belt.
Firetog, an experienced jurist who hears mostly murder cases and once served as the court’s administrative judge, was responding to the defense team’s protests over the disclosures.
“The public has a right to see whatever is available,” the judge said. “If you have a problem, you should have moved to preclude.”
“You claim your client is incompetent and you’re relying on him to make decisions?” he said. “Please stop.”
He even hinted that the defense may have been behind the illegal leak of the psych evaluation. McCann strongly denied that, noting that she called the reporter and prosecutors to find the source.
“The press is not going to disclose their source,” Firetog replied. “One would think you’d know that. One would be surprised if you didn’t know that.”
(Source: NY Daily News)
4 Responses
So much for all the complains that these are experienced attorneys. They are privately paid, but clearly cheap inexperienced lawyers.
These two clowns just took this case to build up their own personal experience. They couldn’t care less if they lose the case big time. They’re in it for themselves.
If he has incompetent counsel that would be grounds for appeal of the eventual verdict. That is the concern of the judge.
Feed him to the dogs!