• BertramDitore@lemmy.world
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    5 months ago

    This is one of those examples that we can all point to for why Trump’s behavior as a corrupt mob-style boss is not just bravado, and anyone who tells you it is is either ignorant or has an ulterior motive.

    There is no conflict of interest here, and I also firmly believe there isn’t even an appearance of a conflict of interest. A Georgia lawyer can correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe there’s a specific statue that spells out that it is acceptable for a married couple to be on opposing sides of a trial. It was determined that’s entirely fine. So how could it be that two prosecutors, who happen to be fucking, while working on the same side of a trial have a conflict of interest? What, they know how each other look naked, so that gives them some legal advantage over their platonic opposition? It just doesn’t track.

    • vrek@programming.dev
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      5 months ago

      I don’t know about Georgia but at least in New Jersey that’s not allowed. Not only that buts it’s defense choice of attorney.

      Several years ago, I was in legal trouble. I was recommended a lawyer by a distant family friend. That lawyer happened to be the wife of the lead prosecutor.the lead prosecutor was immediately dismissed from the case and another prosecutor appointed.

      I got off with a light sentence and have cleaned up my life. That said who knows what would of happened if I had a different lawyer, the prosecutor was notorious for being hard and firm in his cases. I probably would of fared worse but he couldn’t touch the case and a junior prosecutor was assigned. As I said different state so different lawyers but kind of makes sense. You can’t monitor opposing benches communication or shared knowledge or deals…a lot of political questions not typically worth dealing with.

      • BertramDitore@lemmy.world
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        5 months ago

        That’s super interesting, thanks for sharing your experience! The way you describe it, it actually makes a lot of sense that deference would be given to the defense side.

        I’m so conflicted, because I tend to automatically sympathize with most defendants since the system is so often stacked against them. Trump has turned that upside down. Never thought I’d cheer for a prosecutor…

      • ikidd@lemmy.world
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        5 months ago

        It’s a bit rough on justice if everyone knows they just have to hire a guy’s wife to get his hardass off their case. I guess it makes sure she has clients, though.

      • HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world
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        5 months ago

        So, you hired the wife of the prosecutor as your defense? That’s very different than there being a relationship between two attorneys on the same counsel having a relationship.

    • catloaf@lemm.ee
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      5 months ago

      They’re saying that the appointment itself was improper.

      • ashok36@lemmy.world
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        5 months ago

        Which removing the appointed prosecutor would render moot, which they’ve already done.

        Their argument is that the case was only brought so that the prosecutor would be hired and then kick back money to the DA. It’s laughable on its face.

      • BertramDitore@lemmy.world
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        5 months ago

        Yeah, I could see it as a conflict if she only appointed him after they started dating, but Willis testified vehemently that they only started their relationship after she appointed him. She said the witness who claimed otherwise was either lying or misremembering. I guess it comes down to who should be believed, and while I would never blindly believe any officer of the state, I think she has more credibility than Trump and his defense team.

    • dogslayeggs@lemmy.world
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      5 months ago

      This isn’t because they were fucking.

      This is because she is fucking a guy she personally selected to pay as a consultant using state funds, who then paid for vacations for her. The appearance of a conflict of interest is that it would be in her best interest to continue this case as long as possible to continue paying this dude, who will then continue using that money she’s paying him to take her on vacations.

      • aStonedSanta@lemm.ee
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        5 months ago

        Yeah. It’s the “illegal” use of state money that’s damming imo. Well I dunno if illegal but I hope it is.