A man who defends himself in court has a fool for a client
I don’t mind admitting when I’m wrong. After all, crow isn’t too bad with a little Sweet Baby Ray’s on it, and humble pie is actually a pretty good dessert when you have it ala mode. And fortunately I skipped lunch today.
I have said from the start that Todd Blanche was one of the best lawyers traitor Tot had had so far. He was a well respected former federal prosecutor, where he made his name. If he had a weakness, it was being inexperienced at criminal defense, especially in a high profile case.
My reasoning was simple. Criminal defense attorney and MSWNBC legal analyst Danny Ceballos once described the defense attorney’s pre trial Come to Jesus moment talk with his client. He realted that before we go to trial I tell every client I have that he or she has two simple jobs. The first is that whenever he’s in front of the jury, his sole job is to look innocent. Don’t roll your eyes, don’t growl or scowl, don’t throw your pencil in the air, just sit there and look innocent. Your second, critical job is to leave me alone. This is my job, let me do it.
And as I wrote during the trial, Blanche seemed to be adhering to that credo. Whenever Trump would lean into his ear, or tug his sleeve, Blanche would lean over, listen politely, nod his head, pat Trump’s arm, and go right back to what he was doing.
Man, was I fuc*ed up! It turns out that Blanche was even more cowardly and incompetent than I thought. After the verdicts were read, apparently trying to forestall the myriad of feath and bodily injury threats he and his family are about to be deluged with, Blanche went on a far right television show and proclaimed that Every major tactical decision that I made during the trial was made in full consultation with my client. In MAGA chickensh*t English, Don’t blame ME Man! Trump signed off on everything I did! Please don’t kill me!
What. The. F*ck! Simple question, FOOL! Who’s the professional criminal defense lawyer here? When I went to get the rear door struts replaced on the Chrysler, did the mechanic ask me if I had any opnion as to which strut he should replace first? When I got my knee replaced, my surgeon didn’t offer me a selection of artificial joints to choose from, and my preferred brand of anesthesia. And when I fo to confession, my priest doesn’t offer me a choice or penances to get absolution.
From where I’m sitting, this is nothing short of legal malpractice. Granted, Trump is a client and defendant that is almost impossible to control, but Blanche knew that going in. But you don’t prostitute your professional ethics just because your client is a world class pain-in-the-ass. You’re the one defending the client, it’s your professional opinions and skills that matter. Not a bitch git from Traitor Tot.
But actually, Blanche’s public admission of his own craven cowardice answers a question for me. I wrote at the time that the defense calling a total ass clown like Robert Costello to the stand. After all, Costello had already testified before the grand jury who laughed him off, so the prosecution already knew what he would say. Worse yet, he had already showed his prejudice in ill advised courtroom steps press gaggles.
Now I know. Trump had been adamant that he wanted to testify. After all, this wasn’t just his reputation and possible freedom at stake here, it was his ego. But Blanche must have convinced him that his testifying was the legal equivalent of self crucifixion. Trump’s price for staying off of the stand was to demand that Blanche call Costello to the stand in his stead. Blanche conceded, and Costello convicted Trump out of Trump’s pwn mouth without Trump being able to explain himself from the stand.
And this worries me. Because Blanche, a total imbecile, went out and made it public. One of the things that Trump’s legal beagles are likely to argue on appeal is incompetent legal representation. And if Blanche admits that he was so weak and feckless that he allowed the client to set the parameters of the defense, then Trump truly may as well have been defending himself. Looks like they both had a fool for a client, as well as an attorney.
I thank you for the privilege of your time.
“One of the things that Trump’s legal beagles are likely to argue on appeal is incompetent legal representation.”
I really can’t see that one working. He’ll be laughed out of court.
This case is so clearly presented and decided, (and so quickly too) that I think it’s more likely an appeal would be declined.
I wonder where he’s hiding tonight? He’s excommunicado…except he doesn’t have John Wick’s skill in staying alive when everyone is after your ass. Maybe take a dogsled to a remote cabin in Alaska.
Too cold.
Fools gold
Murf, ultimately the defendant is the one hiring the attorney. Yes, the smart money is on listening to your attorney and obeying them but when you’re the one paying them, you do get to interject whatever you want to , feel the need to, etc. Sure, letting your client plot the defense and all that is a foolish thing to do but that doesn’t make it malfeasance-if this was the case, Von Shitz would never have found an attorney to continue representing him more than one day.
According to Neil from The Young Ones, crucifixion is a really negative way to kill yourself.
“I mean, there’s no way to pound in that last nail”.