I have avoided commenting on the Trayvon Martin/George Zimmerman case because, like every other person in the entire country except possibly Mr. Zimmerman, I don’t know what happened. To me, the case is mostly about facts, and very minor changes in the facts affect whether Mr. Zimmerman is a murderer, a hotheaded bigot, or a hero. I find it a little easier to sympathize with Mr. Martin, because minority youths with a few petty smudges on their records are more likely to be defendants than victims in dubious prosecutions. But, with that said, I could just as easily represent Mr. Zimmerman or someone like him.
And, in considering the possible representation of Mr. Zimmerman, I am appalled by the conduct of his former attorneys, Craig Sonner and Hal Uhrig. According to CNN, the defense team has called a press conference to announce that they have lost contact with Mr. Zimmerman and dropped him as a client..
I find it hard to imagine calling a press conference to say something bad about a client. I suppose that one reason for an attorney to represent Mr. Zimmerman would be the hope of national attention and a brighter reputation. I’m sure it’s usually good for business for an attorney to appear on television, especially with a client who has so many supporters. But suggesting that a client has left the state and complaining that the client is talking to the press without counsel’s blessing can only harm Mr. Zimmerman’s reputation, and, worse, might be a violation of legal ethics by providing confidential information about Mr. Zimmerman’s movements and his communications with his counsel.
It may be that Mr. Zimmerman committed a serious crime and deserves to be punished. But, whether that is true or not, he deserves an attorney who is unreservedly on his side. I hope he finds one; clearly he hasn’t yet.
