Derek Debus I was quite content not following this trial at all…now I’ve been roped in.

I've repped lots of judges & folks accused of contempt. Will be shocked if this is not reversed. It's indirect criminal contempt in which the judge is involved. Should have been referred to another judge for handling. 1/2 ajc.com/news/crime/you…

Very similar to a case I handled in 2022 (In Re: Johnson 364 Ga. App. 646) in which the judge held a lawyer in contempt for trying to preserve the record in a criminal case. The contempt was reversed.

Lester Tate Bingo! and here it’s problematic because it never should’ve happened with a witness in the chambers. If I understand that correctly, makes the situation even worse and egregious. quite frankly, the defense attorney did a hell of a job zealously representing his client

Lane Tim Lester Tate GSU No, I’m pretty sure we’ll have to be a mistrial to be honest

Rowvy Wade Derek Debus They really grant them because they’re so expensive and they’re just obviously then people know what’s going on but here if a jury heard all this going on in the court room and they weren’t removed from the court room. I think you do have a good argument for a change of venue.

Ches Thompson Derek Debus It was either that or be held in contempt, I have to imagine it was a scheduling issue caused by that attorney and likely meant the rest of them would have to miss a scheduled break. I’ll have to find the article. Wild stuff.

Ches Thompson Zach Wolfe I don't think judge addressed W-P issue, in the part I saw. He did seem to summarily reject A-C privilege, I assume on grounds that Steel client wasn't there at ex parte & thus couldn't be the source of Steel info. Whole thing seems so odd ...

King Clip-on Tie Zach Wolfe Yes, the whole thing is very odd and I hope that some of these participants are questioning the decisions they made yesterday

Ches Thompson Zach Wolfe I think witness & witness's lawyer were there, w/pros & ct reporter(!). How could judge think he'd get away w/it? Either he had some bad reason for risking engaging in blatant misconduct, or he believed he had legit reason for the whole ex parte proc. & non-disclosure. Need more

#lawtwitter buckle up! an exparte convo in chambers w pros & witness, Defense attorney was not in this convo. Now we find out what happens to D atty contempt 🤔🧐🤯possible mtns- mtn to stay. Change of judge, Motion to dismiss, motion for new trial. Etc etc

King Clip-on Tie Zach Wolfe I’m sure he will love to provide us with more information considering the amount amount of time spent figuring out contempt issue… didn’t think this was gonna distract me on my Tuesday, but I live for the Saint jury trial so that’s a problem

Bear with me — I have lots of thoughts on what transpired yesterday in this trial. And you might have to come together.

Ches Thompson Zach Wolfe The contempt seems problematic. I'd want more info on the ex parte issue before opining on that ...

And right here below is why this is especially problematic. a prosecutor is actually a minister of justice. They are held to a higher standard because they’re actually administering justice they need to do what is right in the best interest of Justice

So now we all know about this trial from Georgia, and the clustered has created for all of those who care about judicial system and legal ethics

Dad had night court yesterday…. Zero chance anybody has been able to talk to him on the phone since 5 PM yesterday because he always forgets he puts it on silent when he walked into the courtroom.