DeLay Puts Legal Fate in Democrat's Hands

[kurth]

DeLay Puts Legal Fate in Democrat's Hands
By SUZANNE GAMBOA, The Associated Press

AUSTIN, Texas -- Republican Rep. Tom DeLay's fate could hinge on a Stetson-wearing defense attorney who not only represented Waco cult leader David Koresh and helped a cross-dressing millionaire beat a murder rap, but is also a Democrat. Why did Dick DeGuerin agree to represent one of the most fiercely partisan figures on Capitol Hill, a man who was House majority leader until his indictment on money laundering and conspiracy charges?

"I don't think there's anybody who needed me worse," said DeGuerin, who will accompany DeLay to his first court appearance Friday. "Not that I agree with his politics."... As for DeGuerin's politics, his father worked for Lyndon B. Johnson while he was in Congress, and DeGuerin considers himself a loyal Democrat...

The lawyer is also involved in Texas' 2006 gubernatorial campaign as an unpaid adviser to Kinky Friedman, a musician, mystery writer and all-around wiseacre who is running as an independent. His slogan: "Why the Hell Not?"...

He has taught at the University of Texas Law School for 12 years. This semester, he is teaching Advanced Criminal Defense, walking students through his cases and how he beat prosecutors. Third-year student Polo Gonzalez said DeGuerin told the class that lawyers should keep their clients quiet, so classmates were puzzled after DeLay's indictment to hear the lawmaker defend himself on talk radio, television and in the newspapers. According to Gonzalez, when students asked DeGuerin about it, the lawyer responded: "I don't have control of Tom DeLay. He's his own man."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/20/AR2005102001180.html

By the way, Karl Rove's defense lawyer is also a Democrat...

[Caution]

1. They chose Democrats to defend them because they need people with scruples

They couldn't trust a republican to maintain the lawyer-client privilege.

[0rganism]

2. They love to bash the lawyers, but when it's their day in court...

...they have no compunctions in finding the best ones they can, regardless of political affinity.

[arwalden]

9. Damn Those TRIAL LAWYERS... Damn Them ALL To Hell!

[mourningdove92]

3. HMMM, pretty amazing isn't it?

when they need real brains, they turn to the left.

[leesa]

4. Obviously, Republicans are not capable of operating within the legal

system..if they can't cheat or buy their way out, they're sunk! How ironic, he needs to depend on a Democrat to save his worthless ass.

[napi21]

5. GEE! This isn't slanted news, is it?

I don't know Suzanne Gamboa, but she sure isn't hiding her position as a Pub!

BTW Suzanne, almost ALL Texas lawyers wear Stetsons!!!!!

[Justitia]

6. Sorry, DeGuerin is no "loyal" dem, he's been trashing dems all over TV

DeGuerin is about $$$$$ and having his mug on television.

No "loyal" Texan Dem shovels his contributions to the Repug party:

"But the candidate who has received the most contributions from DeGuerin is his former client Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. He has contributed about $10,000 to her campaigns between 1990 and 2006."

Why does he only defend REPUBLICANS???

Oh, and nasty, grisly, dismembering murderers (Durst)?

Thanks to scum like DeGuerin, Houston has a psychopath running around loose in public - make that two - Durst AND DeLay.

Fuck DeGuerin. This article is pure bullshit.

[Dover]

8. Amen.......it's not about politics, it's always about class/status/money

That's where the real divide is in this country. The major wealth know that politicians work for THEM, not the other way around.

[kurth]

10. Lawyers are hired guns

Lawyers are hired guns, and DeGuerin is considered among the best in Texas (or so the media says). It is quite probable that DeLay will get off if the trial is moved out of Austin - say, up the street to Round Rock or out to the hinterlands, where the juror pool is more Republican and properly brainwashed, which is what DeGuerin has been trying to do with his attack ads against Ronnie Earle.

[TiredOfLies]

7. it's no suprise

the almighty dollar will buy anyone..

[gratuitous]

11. I want DeLay (and any defendant) to get the best legal advice possible

That way, when he's convicted, there won't be any whining and puling about how his lawyer was incompetent or fell asleep during the trial or any of that other nonsense. I want DeLay going to jail based on evidence to convict beyond a reasonable doubt about his guilt.

And then I want him to serve his full sentence.

[President Kerry]

12. when he's convicted they'll blame the

partisan, out-of-control, activist lawyer.:rofl:

You're in deep shit, Tom. Congratulations.