A hat tip to Eric Nelson.

[WarGamer]

Just a reminder that in our system, everyone should be afforded a defense.

It's one of our most basic principles.

Nelson was dealt a shit sandwich and worked really hard, left it all out on the field. That closing argument was a real stemwinder...

Criminal Defense Attorneys are frequently reviled but they play a critical part in the system.

I like it when the system "works"

[dem4decades]

1. Well I don't have it in me, death by carbon monoxide? Please.

[WarGamer]

2. He threw it in as a contributing factor...

Of course it was ridiculous.

But that's his JOB.

[MustLoveBeagles]

3. He did his best with what he had to work with which wasn't much

Unlike some other posters here I didn't hate him but could see why he irritated people. The only time he got on my nerves was his attack on Maxine Waters after closing arguments. He was practically begging the judge for a mistrial because he was smart enough to realize that the trial hadn't gone well for him. I heard somewhere(can't remember where sorry) that this type of court proceeding wasn't his specialty and it showed.

[WarGamer]

4. Yes but

One, it's his job.

And two, he needed to get that "in the record" for appeal purposes.

And the Judge, by all accounts a good Judge was honestly frustrated with Waters.

[MustLoveBeagles]

5. I know

I wasn't even surprised when he did it and the more rational side of me even understands why he did it. My guess is that Mr. Nelson won't have much luck on appeal with that but who knows? I'm a bit of a fangirl of Maxine's so I get defensive when she's attacked. Anchors and pundits where whataboutisming it today like nobodies business to the point where I almost threw things at the TV. Her comments weren't in any way comparable to former guys. Was she wrong to say what she did when she did? Perhaps, but I think the outrage over it is overblown and hypocritical in most cases. I get why the judge was irritated but if I was in his shoes I might've said the comments were ill advised or ill timed rather that abhorrent.

[WarGamer]

6. agreed, yeah she was right.

I don't think he'll win on appeal.

I think he'll just take the time quietly. Stay in protective custody for 12 years or so, get out in his late 50's and buy a place in Idaho and fish all day living off his pension.

[MustLoveBeagles]

7. I'm fine with that as long as long as he can't hurt anyone else

[Best_man23]

8. I learned the importance of affording a defense for all at a friend's graduation.

My friend was receiving his JD and the president of the law school addressed an issue that came up during the school year. One of the professors had represented The 2 Live Crew in an obscenity case brought against them by the Broward County (FL) Sheriff's office. I still remember the president's words "everyone, no matter their status, deserves and should be afforded a vigorous defense."