Gerry Spence representing Portland lawyer held after Madrid bombing

[funflower]

Spence points out that the FBI might have handled things differently if Mayfield were Billy Graham's son rather than a convert to Islam.

(snip)

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Federal agents intentionally deceived a judge to obtain a warrant to arrest a Portland man who was incorrectly linked to terrorist bombings in Spain, the man's attorney told another federal judge Friday.

``They're not telling the truth,'' said Gerry Spence, the lead lawyer representing Brandon Mayfield, who was arrested in May 2004, two months after bombs ripped through commuter trains in Madrid, killing 191 people.

The FBI initially said fingerprints found on a bag of detonators recovered at the scene matched Mayfield's - but later said the prints belonged to someone else. They released Mayfield and publicly apologized to him.

A convert to Islam, Mayfield has filed a lawsuit against the Department of Justice, arguing he was singled out because of his faith. He also contends that key sections of the Patriot Act, which he says were used to install wiretaps and conduct secret searches of his home, are unconstitutional

(more)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5144680,00.html

[wookie294]

1. Long Live Gerry !!

He hasn't been in the news lately. What happened to wild man Spence anyway? LOL. Glad to hear he's still fighting the good fight with all that money he's made!

[funflower]

2. This excerpt also omits that Mayfield is a lawyer who represented

one of the "Portland Seven," a group of local Moslem men who were convicted of conspiring to aid the Taliban after the U.S. began military action there.

[hlthe2b]

7. Speaking of going after attorneys who represent those the GOV

doesn't like, what became of the female attorney sentenced for supposedly aiding the Blind Sheik (she had supposedly relayed information on him to the public, in trying to defend him?)

She had received a very long prison sentence that seemed like ASSSKKKROFT retribution...

Anyone know who I'm talking about?

[Heidi]

8. Lynn Stewart.

http://pirate.shu.edu/~jenninju/CivilProcedure/4Discovery/Privilege/LynnStewartConfictedNYLJFeb2005.htm

[susu369]

12. Another fan of Gerry

He is absolutely brilliant AND has never lost a case (if I remember correctly).

[funflower]

3. Shameless self-kick. I think this is a potentially important case.

[Peace Patriot]

4. I'm so glad that Brandon Mayfield is fighting back! He gave us all

early warning of the thuggery attending the Patriot Act--and was extraordinarily courageous in the immediate weeks after that terrifying experience, speaking out and refusing to give in to fear. The Bush DOJ needs to be dismantled!

[no_hypocrisy]

5. This is great. Gerry Spence is the most likely advocate to protect this

defendant/attorney. And trust me, he won't get indicted and convicted of seditious conspiracy like Lynne Stewart in NYC. (I believe she was just sentenced for this conviction.)

http://rwor.org/a/1275/lynne-stewart-interview.htm

http://talkleft.com/new_archives/009745.html

Spence is cut in the mold of Clarence Darrow and will use the case to strengthen the Consitution and the Bill of Rights. Find any of his books and see how strong his views are of the courts, civil rights, among other things.

[hlthe2b]

6. Good, Spence may be a shameless self-promoter and

a bit of an "act," with his folksy schtick (ask his fellow WY lawyers, if you doubt that), but in this case, he is a perfect one to tackle this. Kudos and go get 'em, Gerry.

[H2O Man]

9. All great lawyers

have a great act. Nothing wrong with that. Besides knowing he law, it's the attorney who connects with the jury that wins. Spence is tops in both areas.

[hlthe2b]

10. Agree...

I'd certainly want him to defend me...

[H2O Man]

11. For sure.

I remember years ago, watching him on tv. My brother-in-law said, "He's really arrogant. He's so convinced he's right." And I asked him, what would you want? An attorney with an inferiority complex, who seemed to doubt every position he put forth? No, you want that attorney with personality.

Spence wrote one of the two introductions to Vince Bugliosi's book on the Supreme theft of the 200 election. Though it is a short piece, it remains one of the best essays on the legal system.

[DemonFighterLives]

13. Gerry Spence is great

Also great is that this case gives a kick in the pants to the Patriot Act.
:yourock: