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To: LindyBill who wrote (2684)	11/9/2002 6:04:33 AM
From: Ilaine	Respond to of 6901

>>I am surprised that a "Name" attorney did not move in on these cases for the publicity.<< Me, too, but since they are indigent, and these are state charges in Virginia, maybe not so surprising. Money is an issue, and so is stress. I was thinking about a friend of mine who was retired from JAG, and handled court appointed capital murder cases. He was not a young man. Every murder trial he handled seemed to age him about ten years. Finally he had to give it up, moved to Arizona, and I think he died shortly afterwards. When I read in the thread about how much capital murder cases cost, I was thinking that this money surely doesn't go to a court appointed attorney, not in Virginia, not at the state court level. There is no flat fee for capital murder (for which the fee for a court appointed attorney must be "reasonable", subject to court approval), but for first degree murder in Virginia, the flat fee for a court appointed attorney is $1235. I think Virginia compensation for court appointed attorneys is the worst in the country. You just can't get a good lawyer for that little money, unless he or she is not only incredibly idealistic, but also not busy with other cases. Mother Teresa is dead.

To: LindyBill who wrote (2684)	11/9/2002 6:22:48 AM
From: Ilaine	Respond to of 6901

I don't mean to insult Michael Arif. He is competent, and decent. But if I had OJ Simpson's money, he's not the man I'd hire to defend me on a murder charge. As a human being, my favorite local criminal defense attorney is Jim Lowe, who got Lorena Bobbit off. You remember the aptly named Lorena Bobbit, who cut off her offending husband's offending appendage? I have a souvenir T-shirt from that trial. It was a media circus. Vendors were selling all kind of things on the sidewalks outside the court, from popcorn to souvenirs. My T-shirt has an image of a bloody hot dog with a worried face, and the slogan "Manassas - it's not for weenies." But if I had OJ Simpson's money, I'd hire Peter Greenspun. Still, if Charlie Maxfield appointed Michael Arif, in my mind, that's an endorsement. I trust Charlie.

To: LindyBill who wrote (2684)	11/9/2002 6:31:48 AM
From: Ilaine	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 6901

Oh ho - Peter Greenspun will be representing Muhammed in Prince William County. Now it all makes better sense. washingtonpost.com Peter has never been one to avoid the fray. Good for him. I don't see how he does it. The consummate professional. Lee Millette will be the judge in that case. An incredibly competent judge. The difference between him and Judge Whisnant (am I being foolhardy by relating that my pet name for him is Judge Pissant?) is the difference between night and day. Good. This is shaping up to be a fair fight.