Subject:  Fieger's trial nears finale |
Author:
Chris
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Date Posted: 05/27/08 7:09pm
In reply to:
Diane
's message, "Fiegers' Trial Tomorrow ????" on 04/13/08 6:44pm
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Fieger's trial nears finale
Reputations are at stake for attorney, Justice Dept. as lawyers make their closing arguments today.
Paul Egan / The Detroit News
DETROIT -- Lawyers are to make their closing arguments today in a high-stakes criminal case for both flamboyant Southfield attorney Geoffrey Fieger and the U.S. Justice Department.
Fieger's highly successful career is at stake because a felony conviction would almost certainly cost him his law license.
For the Justice Department and the U.S. Attorney's Office in Detroit, an acquittal would be the latest in a series of defeats in high-profile cases, which include the botched 2003 "sleeper cell" terrorism trial and the failed prosecutions of former Macomb County Prosecutor Carl Marlinga in 2006 and former federal Prosecutor Richard Convertino in 2007.
Fieger, 57, and his law partner Ven Johnson, 46, were indicted in 2007 on conspiracy and illegal campaign contribution charges, accused of making more than $100,000 in illegal donations to the 2004 presidential campaign of Democrat John Edwards by reimbursing employees, employee relatives and law firm vendors. Fieger is also charged with obstruction of justice, a 10-year felony.
Adding to the drama today is what could be the final closing argument delivered in a major case by legendary Wyoming attorney Gerry Spence. Spence came out of semi-retirement at age 79 to represent his old friend Fieger, to whom Spence has been a mentor. Despite aching joints and a faulty memory, Spence drew spectators from around the country and commanded the attention and apparent affection of jurors with his relentless attacks on the government and his self-deprecating wit.
"It becomes a significant day, for sure," said Harold Gurewitz, a Detroit criminal attorney and former federal prosecutor. "Closing argument in any criminal case is always a very significant part of the trial, and because of the kinds of issues in this case, I think it's involved a great deal of energies on both sides."
Fieger, a former Democratic candidate for governor who rose to national prominence in the 1990s while representing assisted suicide advocate Jack Kevorkian, claimed he was the victim of a Republican witch hunt directed by the Bush White House.
U.S. District Judge Paul D. Borman rejected those arguments in pre-trial motions. Veteran Assistant U.S. Attorney Lynn Helland argued in his opening statements the federal campaign laws Fieger violated are intended to make sure one person or corporation does not exert undue influence on a candidate and to let the public know where politicians are getting their money.
Fieger, who surprised many legal observers by taking the stand in his own defense, jousted for two days last week with Helland. Most observers said Fieger got the best of the exchange and his high-risk gamble in testifying appeared to have paid off.
The case will likely go to the jury Wednesday after 18 days of testimony, one day of closing arguments, and instructions on the law by Borman.
Fieger has admitted he reimbursed employees and others for the donations, some of which were solicited by his partner, Johnson. The key issue is whether Fieger and Johnson knowingly broke the law. Both maintain they believed what they were doing was legal.
Johnson's attorney Steve Fishman argued government prosecutors presented little or no evidence against Johnson, and prosecutors acknowledged their case against Johnson was weaker.
You can reach Paul Egan at (313) 222-2069 or pegan@detnews.com.
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