Unibomber lawyer to defend Giffords shooter.

[Statistical]

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/unabomber_lawyer_will_represent_alleged_giffords_shooter_jared_lee_loughner.php

Judy Clarke, who represented "Unabomber" Ted Kaczynski and assisted in the case of confessed al-Qaeda operative Zacarias Moussaoui, has been appointed to represent Jared Lee Loughner, the man charged by federal authorities with two murders as well as the attempted assassination of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) and two others.

[hlthe2b]

1. Federally-appointed attorney...

I guess she won't be doing this pro bono. And, yes, I do believe everyone has a right to competent legal council, but in this case, he is probably more likely to get it from the Federal system, than with state-appointed council. Just sayin.

[eleny]

2. What about the murders of the civilians?

Do you think he'll also be charged with Federal crimes for those, too?

[hlthe2b]

3. Those will be State Court jurisdiction...

and they will undoubtedly file charges sometime soon.

The Feds have jurisdiction over those crimes committed involving the judge, the Congresswoman, her dead aid and two other congressional office workers that were injured, since they are all considered Federal employees or officials. Usually the State waits on the Feds to complete their case(s) to determine how to proceed (especially if there is a potential for a Federal death sentence).

[davidpdx]

4. Glad he's getting a good lawyer, he's going to need it

It will also hopefully limit any chances of appeals once they convicted him.

[Motown_Johnny]

5. aren't Kaczynski and Moussaoui both in jail?

[LisaL]

7. They are serving life in prison.

Ted Kaczynski didn't want to plead not guilty by reason of insanity so he took a guilty plea.

[backscatter712]

12. I imagine she had something to do with keeping them from getting a death sentence. n/t

[Zanzobar]

6. What? Is she the Washington General's of lawyerin'?

[GSLevel9]

8. can she reject the case?

It CAN'T be something she wants to do.

[gmoney]

10. What's the opposite of an ambulance chaser?

Instead of approaching victims, maybe she likes defending high-profile suspects. In the words of that legal giant Lionel Hutz "Murder One! Wow! Even if I lose, I'll be famous!"

[onenote]

11. first, she's hardly a household name. second,she's a well known death penalty opponent

Some lawyers take high profile, and often unpopular, cases not because it makes them rich and famous, but because they believe in the adage that everyone is entitled to the best defense possible. While I personally would not want this guy as a client (and since I'm not a criminal lawyer, I've never had to face the issue of defending a violent felon), I have the utmost respect for public defenders and those who take on the hard cases.

[Statistical]

13. I vaguely remember her giving an interview when she defended the unibomber.

She seemed to really believe in the concept that for our legal system to work everyone is entitled to a good defense. The larger the case, the larger the desire to convict the better the defense needs to be.

[tekisui]

15. I fee the same.

[Very_Boring_Name]

14. Do you understand how ethically wrong that would be?

It would be the moral equivalent of a doctor not treating a wounded patient because he didn't like him.

[haele]

9. Good, we're still a nation of laws -

And that's what we need right now, no vigilante justice, no hang him high - a fair trial with a competent lawyer.

If he doesn't get that grace, that respect from the government - no matter what you or I may think of him - then we're no better than any other third world failed state or rabid mob.

Law cannot be a personal matter, nor a moral matter, nor a religious matter. If it becomes personal, or moral, or religious, if it becomes subjective to the waywardness of society rather than respect for truth and fair treatment, then it no longer becomes justice.

Haele

[Gaedel]

16. Well said

They didn't want to use a public defender on the fed payroll so that any conviction would look like railroading.

This lady seems to take these kinds of caes under contract, is probably paid well, and certainly has experience with defending odious individuals who have pretty much open and shut cases against them.