Posted on 03/15/2005 2:01:21 PM PST by ambrose
Public Defender Slashed In Courtroom By Her Client
POSTED: 2:14 pm PST March 14, 2005 UPDATED: 2:20 pm PST March 14, 2005
SAN FERNANDO, Calif. -- A public defender was slashed in the arm Monday in a San Fernando courtroom by her client, who was on trial for murder, authorities said.
Linda Wieder was attacked at about 11:35 a.m. in the courtroom of Judge Ronald Coen, who was overseeing the murder trial of her client, said Deputy Ed Leonard of the Court Services Division.
Wieder was treated at a hospital for a 2½-inch laceration to her upper right arm, Leonard said. The injury was not life-threatening, he said.
Wieder and Erick Morales were seated at counsel table when the 27-year-old suspect allegedly slashed her in the arm with a razor blade, Leonard said. Deputies restrained him, and he will face an additional charge of assault, Leonard said.
Here come the copycats.
Wow, such detailed reporting. So many unasked and unanswered questions...
So, where did he get the razor blade?
Criminal defense. Gotta love it.
Interesting technique for motivating your lawyer.
there's a method to his madness... this will probably result in a mistrial if his lawyer (understandably) wants off the case.
Wonder if the judge will grant her motion to be relieved as counsel. /sarcasm
Another act of insurgency!
Aw, it's ok, he didn't know what he was doing.
> ... this will probably result in a mistrial if his
> lawyer (understandably) wants off the case.
And an appeal if she doesn't, since she "obviously"
couldn't represent his interests impartially.
The only thing that is going to put a stop to this
is extremely severe sentencing for crimes committed
in court.
For example, have court assault prosecutions take
calendar precedence over the case in which the
assault ocurred, and if the perp is convicted on
the court assault, that automatically results in
guilty-as-charged verdict in the original case.
When did it become necessary, in order to have a "fair" trial, that the jury not be prejudiced? Serious question.
This conjures up all sorts of serious scenarios, the most obvious being to make sure if you wish to kill someone and get away with it, do it on national television...
Now, That's Justice!
the client took that shakespeare thing to heart...
I wonder if this lawyer will be willing to also defend this client from the resulting charge of assault? He is probably just misunderstood.
Well since they can't be tried by a jury of their "peers" it is the next best thing. After all the "peer" of a murderer would be a jury of murderers, right?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.