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When court-appointed attorney R. Damien Schorr asked to be removed from the case, he really meant it. But U.S. District Judge Cathy Bissoon denied the request in what turned out to be an epic underestimation of Shorr’s concerns.
Earlier this week, Schorr’s client went ahead and punched him.
From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
The acrimony turned violent on Monday during a break in jury selection when Byrd suddenly punched Mr. Schorr in the head in Judge Bissoon’s courtroom as the two sat next to each and argued over witnesses. No jurors were in the room and the judge wasn’t on the bench, but the prosecution team witnessed the attack and it’s on video as well. U.S. marshals pounced on Byrd and later testified about what happened.
Just a reminder that whatever we pay court-appointed attorneys, it’s not enough.
The defendant was tried in absentia (except when he took the stand himself) and was convicted on drug and gun counts. He faces life imprisonment.
After the trial, Mr. Schorr asked again to be removed from the case.
“The record is clear as to the circumstances behind this motion to withdraw and do not merit repeating,” he said. “I cannot effectively represent Mr. Byrd during the sentencing phase of this case.”
Something tells me this request might go better for Schorr.
Pittsburgh felon who punched his lawyer in federal courtroom quickly convicted in drug and gun trial [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]
Joe Patrice is a senior editor at Above the Law and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. Feel free to email any tips, questions, or comments. Follow him on Twitter if you’re interested in law, politics, and a healthy dose of college sports news. Joe also serves as a Managing Director at RPN Executive Search.
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