DescentBB

Controversial attorney recuses himself amid ethics allegations.
by Wade Steel

November 8, 2005 - Controversial Miami-based attorney Jack Thompson has withdrawn from an Alabama lawsuit amid allegations that he violated legal ethics rules.

The lawsuit, Strickland vs. Sony, was filed against retailers and publishers of the Grand Theft Auto series. Thompson had previously been representing the case's plaintiffs -- the families of a pair of police officers and a police dispatcher who were murdered by Devin Moore, who claimed that the GTA games helped "train" him to kill. Moore was convicted of the crime and sentenced to death.

Thompson's withdrawl follows a motion by filed by Blank Rome, the defendents' law firm, that Thompson be removed from the case as well as have his license to practice law in Alabama revoked for ethical lapses such as "attacking and threatening" the Blank Rome attorneys as well as accusing the firm of conspiracy. According to Blank Rome's Jim Smith, Thompson "[couldn't] proceed with the civility the rules require. All lawyers have to conduct themselves with honesty, integrity and civility. This isn't a street fight."

Thompson spent much of last Thursday defending his conduct in front of Judge James Moore, the case's presiding judge who also presided over the criminal trial of Devin Moore (no relation). When Judge Moore asked Thompson to explain some of the statements made in the press releases, Thompson replied, "I'm not pretending I'm not a nice guy. I'm not pretending I don't have a temper."

The exchange between Judge Moore and Thompson continued when the judge asked the attorney why he was engaging in such public behavior against the defendents' law firm. In Thompson replied that after the criminal trial, Judge Moore indicated that he could "have at it." The judge retorted that "your [meaning Thompson's] 'have at it' and my 'have at it' are not the same." It should be noted that Judge Moore had imposed a "gag order" on both sides in the case since the conclusion of the criminal trial last August.

At the conclusion of last Thursday's proceedings, Judge Thompson stated that he would take Blank Rome's motion to revoke Thompson's license under advisement and is also considering a motion to have the entire suit dismissed via summary judgment because it violates the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. Judge Moore scheduled no further court dates for the case at the conclusion of last Thursday's proceedings.

With the threat of disbarrment in Alabama looming, Thompson decided to remove himself from the case because "the other side wants to make me the issue." Thompson stated that there are three other attorneys working on the case and that it will proceed without him on the trial team.

Needless to say, we will keep you closely informed of any further developments in this very important case as they happen.

Grendel wrote:Thompson's withdrawl follows a motion by filed by Blank Rome, the defendents' law firm, that Thompson be removed from the case as well as have his license to practice law in Alabama revoked for ethical lapses such as "attacking and threatening" the Blank Rome attorneys as well as accusing the firm of conspiracy. According to Blank Rome's Jim Smith, Thompson "[couldn't] proceed with the civility the rules require. All lawyers have to conduct themselves with honesty, integrity and civility. This isn't a street fight."