Friday, June 22, 2007

The Worst of Witt: The Neophyte Defense

I doubt that even the state's finest lawyers could have saved Mike Nifong from disbarment, but Nifong co-counsel Dudley Witt turned in an almost embarrassing performance. In this clip from his closing statement, Witt is intellectually overpowered by Lane Williamson, as the defense lawyer suggests that Nifong, a 28-year veteran of the DA's office, should be treated as a neophyte.

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

KC, when are you going to get to those fake letters of commendation Fried man entered just before closing?

Jack said...

You've got to love that remark:

"He's a truthful guy"

Anonymous said...

Dudley Witt:

"You'll see he's a very truthful guy."

Barf!

Anonymous said...

I'm not defending Witt, but what could he say or do. Neither he or fried man had much to work with. Reminds me of a story a local attorney told about defending a client who pleaded not guilty to bank robbery charges when the bank security camera showed him standing in front of the teller with sawed off shotgun.

Anonymous said...

Mistaken identity!

Anonymous said...

Fox just reported that defendants will request criminal prosecution of Nifong today

Anonymous said...

Indoctrinate U, (the Documentary)

Wouldn't it be nice...if the world premier were on the hallowed grounds of Duke?

Anonymous said...

Just wish a reputable new organization were reporting this alleged information.

Anonymous said...

KC, you are a true diplomat when you say that Wittless turned in "an almost embarrassing performance." Even he would have to know he made an absolute fool out of himself. After all, he was moving from side to side and stammering as he tries to defend Nifong, and at one point tries to convince Williamson that he has just demonstrated a particular point when in fact the argument had been rejected. Sad but deserving all around.

Anonymous said...

9:11

Maybe Michael Moore will take this one on. He is such a champion of exposing wrong--
Premier at Duke--
Dumb and Dumber will play Witt and Friedman (sort of reminds you of the scene where they are on the scooter and Dumb has to go--you know the rest)
Supporting cast:
DA entourage could be played by fish house crew from Turner and Hooch--oops, they'll be busy making Congressman Jefferson's movie)
DPD could be played by the Keystone Kops
Linwood could be played by Woody Woodpecker (huh-huh-ha-huh-huh)
Mikey could be played by Bill Clinton (some physical resemblance and they both know how to lie with a straight face)
Hardin could be played by Alberto Gonzales (they have a lot in common)
Cy could be played by Hill--they both support their man
the remaining slots remain to be cast

Anonymous said...

9:12
Please define "reputable news organization," and what information are you referring to?

juandos said...

Any idea of just how Duke settled with the three players they tried to crucify in the media?

What about the, "gang of 88 parasites"? Are their collective butts covered by the supposed settlement?

Anonymous said...

Give the man a break. What was he supposed to say: my client is a liar and a cheat, and he is guilty of everything he's been accused of, and more? Sure, that would have been true, but it would hardly have been "zealous advocacy" -- which is what Witt is required (by the Bar) to give his client.

Anonymous said...

But, like Nifong, the advocate is not supposed to lie or to advocate mistruths!

Anonymous said...

Cannot suborn perjury!

Anonymous said...

Should we really kill the defense team?
Who amongst us would not have looked like a fool, trying to defend nifong.
This is as indefensible as it gets.

Even nazis can claim, they were just following orders.

Anonymous said...

Is it just me or does Dudley Witt look like Jeff Foxworthy?

You might be a redneck...

Anonymous said...

It's just you.

Anonymous said...

Wouldn't it be nice...if the world premier were on the hallowed grounds of Duke?

This would make great PR: S. Horowitz having a lecture about the importance of protecting students from faculty intimidation (at the same time, Gang88 is present and making noise and trying to silence Horowitz). After the lecture, world premiere of Indoctrinate U.

Unfortunately, Brodhead will not allow it. Free speech is reserved only for marxists.

Anonymous said...

Jeff Foxworthy is too nice a guy to be pinned with that

as for Witt being basically hemmed in on the defense---he wasn't appointed as a public defender--when asked to take the case (because unless he was an ostrich like Liefong) he KNEW what was going on

Anonymous said...

"You'll see he's a very truthful guy."

Well he is! When you stonewall, don't read, and refuse to gather ANY evidence not supporting your view of the facts, i.e. don't know of anything other than your 'truth', you don't have to lie!

RWW

Anonymous said...

"Just wish a reputable new organization were reporting this alleged information."

What, like Duff Wilson of the New York Times?

Anonymous said...

9:58 Absolutly - I don't doubt they told the Fonger " Doesn't look good - on top everthing else, they have you on tape in color."