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USD Grad, Texas Lawyer Represents Scum; Is That a Problem, Pat?

Among his many irrational criticisms of Senator Tim Johnson, Pat Powers earlier this month served up some reheated outrage over our senior Senator's vote to confirm Debo Abegdile as Assistant U.S. Attorney General. Senator Johnson was on the losing side in that vote; the Senate rejected Abegdile, because the President's nominee had defended convicted cop-killer Mumia Abu-Jamal in court.

Criticizing a lawyer for defending scum and criticizing the politicians who vote for or otherwise associate them is cheap and easy politics. The Constitution entitles every defendant, no matter how vile, to due process. Effective due process depends on effective legal counsel. Respect for due process requires that we not hold it against lawyers (or their friends and other clients) that, half the time, they will be representing a guilty parties.

But if you want to plant the petard of painting politicians with the unpleasantness of their attorney's past clients, well, prepare to be hoisted.

The terminally leaky bucket of Annette Bosworth's fake Senate campaign places another document in my hands. Remember Bosworth's snarky response that she's justified in stiffing Florida ad-maker SCC because the company failed to deliver on its full contract, some sanctimonious tripe about "South Dakota tradition" and offering partial payment? A new document indicates that response came from Bosworth campaign attorney Paul Richardson of the Richardson Law Office in Plano, Texas.

Paul Richardson is an old O'Gorman High School classmate of Bosworth's husband Chad Haber. He got his law degree from the University of South Dakota, then moved to Texas to practice.

And for whom does he practice? Sex offenders, drug dealers, drunk drivers... because, as esteemed counsel says,

No matter how serious the charges, Richardson Law Office can provide you with effective representation and help protect your rights. While anyone charged with a crime has a constitutional right to a defense, I believe every defendant should have a right to a STRONG DEFENSE [Richardson Law Office, website, downloaded 2014.03.14].

Yup, better call Paul.

Now I don't have a story here. But I think Pat does. When Senator Tim Johnson votes for a lawyer who represented a cop-killer, Pat question-mark-accuses Johnson of making a hard left turn. When a candidate for Senate whom he promotes hires a lawyer who makes a living defending numerous similarly scuzzy characters, Pat says....

13 Comments

  1. Flipper 2014.03.14

    Wonder if Pat still supports Chief Justice John Roberts, knowing that Roberts defended a serial killer? Not only did he defend John Ferguson, he didn't do a very good job. Ferguson was convicted and executed.

  2. larry kurtz 2014.03.14

    Interim Sen. John Walsh (D-MT) is catching heat from some for selling out his principle to accept an endorsement from the Fraternal Order of Polizei in his bid to win our nomination. Pat knows which side of bacon butters his piehole just as we do.

  3. Anne Beal 2014.03.14

    My understanding is that Abegdile wasn't just some public defender assigned to a case. He's a racist who took on the case later in an effort to get the confessed & convicted murderer sprung from prison. When I first heard the story I thought well he was a criminal defense attorney just doing his job. Turns out that's not the full story.

  4. interested party 2014.03.14

    moooo....

  5. mike from iowa 2014.03.14

    You'd think by now people would have enough sense of decency to basically ignore confessions,since so many are coerced.

  6. Roger Cornelius 2014.03.14

    Flipper,

    I did some follow up on the John Ferguson/John Roberts case and found that Roberts did in fact represent the serial killer.

    In a recent interview with Senator Tom Harkin, the reporter asked Harkin why there was not a vigorous questioning about Roberts involvement with Ferguson when being queried by the Senate for the Supreme Court.
    Harkin's answer was short and sweet, he said something like, Senators know that even the most vile of criminals deserve representation, it is a part of our Constitution.

    Debo Abegdile was labeled by FOX and the right as a pro-cop killer when he was simply doing his job representing one of the most vile murderers.

    Democrats you see, were gracious enough to recognize what defense lawyers do in confirming John Roberts to the Supreme Court, Republicans respond to lies and innuendo and disrespect for an accomplished black attorney.

  7. grudznick 2014.03.14

    Mr. Cornelius.
    I know you hate me, yet I would gladly buy you some taters tomorrow morning. But I fear your hate from years ago blinds you. Sir. I wish you a good day tomorrow.

  8. Roger Cornelius 2014.03.14

    grudz,

    Now why would I hate you grudz? Are you trying to pick an argument?

    My hate from years ago blinds me? Of course, not having your real name leaves me in a lurch as to why I would hate you from years ago.

    Enjoy your taters tomorrow and have a kick ass day, as well.

  9. John 2014.03.15

    . . . and John Adams represented the British officer and soldiers present at the mis-named Boston Massacre. Our 21st century right-wing nut jobs and their faux news are so delusional and cowardly.

  10. mike from iowa 2014.03.15

    Straight from the horse's ass(Orrin Hatch vis a vis David Souter) (from nelsnewday.wordpress.com/2014/03/07/travesties-in-congress-issa-sexual-assault-in-the-military-abegdile/):

    "During the confirmation of former Supreme Court Justice David Souter (October 1990), Sen. Orrin Hatch was the voice of reason. When critics opposed Souter for defending literacy tests in his home state of New Hampshire, Hatch pointed out the Souter did this because they were law. Souter was required to defend the law. In Souter’s defense, Hatch said:

    “'It is not right to go back in hindsight and say he should not have done that; that that shows something wrong with him. Come on, that is what advocates do. If we are going to start using a nominee’s briefs against him in the confirmation process, we are going to be setting a shocking precedent. It would be a very, very dangerous message to send to lawyers: If you have any ambition to be a judge, you lawyers, do not represent controversial clients and be careful what you say on behalf of a client because you might be held responsible for the fact that the law was as it was at the time you made the statement.'

    "Hatch, all the other GOP senators, and seven Democratic senators are now sending that dangerous message to lawyers. House Speaker John Boehner and 211 GOP members of the House have spoken, saying that committee chairs are not required to follow House rules. And military commanders can continue to sexually abuse members of the military either themselves or by overlooking these tragic events. This past week has been very sad for people’s constitutional rights."

  11. mike from iowa 2014.03.15

    Abegdile WASN"T the lawyer of record on that case. He did not spring anyone from prison. He did not contest the defendant's guilt. He pointed out that the judge's instructions to the jury were unconstitutional. The Supreme Court agreed. The defendant is still in jail,and will never be released alive,unless he can get a pardon. The claims that Abegdile advocated for his client at rallies is patently false. The lawyer of record attended the rallies. Abegdile knew nothing about the rallies or what the other lawyer said. Real facts are easy to find-just stay away from wingnut outfits like Fake Noize.

  12. caheidelberger Post author | 2014.03.15

    Mike, you provide some good background on this topic. Thank you!

  13. larry kurtz 2014.04.02

    Curious how much longer Madville will provide free adverts for DWC.

Comments are closed.