The attorney for Michael George is asking a Michigan judge to set aside his client’s murder conviction because of flimsy evidence. The retailer and convention organizer was convicted last month in the 1990 killing of his first wife Barbara.
Defense attorney Carl Marlinga had requested a directed verdict during the trial, but Macomb County Circuit Judge James Biernat denied that motion. Now he’s renewed the request.
Yesterday, Biernat ordered lawyers on both sides to file briefs on the motion by April 20. George’s sentencing is scheduled for May 27.
As the Detroit Free Press notes, it’s routine for defense lawyers to ask for directed verdicts, and for judges to deny them. However, it’s unusual for that request to be renewed after conviction.
April 4th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
“As the Detroit Free Press notes, it’s routine for defense lawyers to ask for directed verdicts, and for judges to deny them. However, it’s unusual for that request to be renewed after conviction.”
I don’t know about Detroit, but it’s routine in Los Angeles. It’s also routine for the judge to deny the “repeat” motion for the exact same reason he denied it the first time – - typically the judge doesn’t even say anything other then “denied.”
April 4th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
Actually, I should add that to the extent it’s “unusual” it’s unusual because most attorneys won’t waste a court’s time by making the same loser argument twice.
October 4th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
Now that it’s October 4, 2009, what happened???? Has he had a new trial?? Is he still in jail???
Thanks you
W.M.Petish