Jerry Wolkoff Blog

LATEST UPDATE - AUGUST 25, 2011-LEIBY KLETZKY MURDER-JUDGE CHEWS OUT LAWYERS FOR LEVI ARON

Accused killer Levi Aron, with attorneys Jennifer McCann and Pierre Bazile, in court earlier this month (AP)

The attorneys for Levi Aron, the man who confessed to killing and dismembering 8-year-old Hasidic boy Leiby Kletzky, have already defended themselves from criticisms once—but it seems they had to do it again yesterday, as a Brooklyn judge laced into the two for how they've handled the case so far.  

"What I am questioning is whether counsel has enough experience for a trial of this type of case," said Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Neil Firetog.


Justice Firetog called the hearing to reprimand attorneys Pierre Bazile and Jennifer McCann for a series of goofs and gaffes during the pre-trial for Aron. According to the Times, he scolded them for complaining about the release of public documents, for discussing the case on their Facebook pages, and for not providing the Department of Correction an approved list of visitors for their client. 

He also questioned them over why they didn't stop Aron from giving an interview to the Daily News while in Rikers: "You're claiming your client's incompetent, and you're relying on him to make decisions?"


McCann defended using Facebook, saying she was responding to a group that was harassing her: “It was the quickest, easiest way to resolve my issues so the phone lines aren’t clogged up. I have a business to run, Your Honor.” The judge also wagged his finger at Bazile for misspelling “canon,” as it relates to ethics: “Two N’s means a cannon that shoots at something.”


Separate from their court apperance, McCann and Bazile gave formal notice that they would introduce psychiatric evidence at the trial, a filing necessary to pursue an insanity defense. Aron was previously found mentally competent to stand trial, despite a psychiatric evaluation which found that he has a personality disorder.

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