Usually, the courts are pretty dull except when the prosecutor and the defendant happen to pull a cantankerous judge. Today was one of those days. A reporter sat in the courtroom for Special Counsel Robert Mueller investigation into Russia’s attack on the U.S. 2016 election and beyond and into conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Moscow. Did she ever see some “fireworks.”
Zoe Tillman is a court reporter for Buzzfeed News. An attorney representing a consultant company in the Russian troll farm case found out rather quickly not to mess with this judge. Tillman tweeted
‘Some fireworks in court this morning as a judge criticized the lawyer representing Concord Management & Consulting in the special counsel Russian troll farm case for his language and harsh words about Mueller’s office in filings — “unprofessional, inappropriate, and ineffective”‘
The judge called the defense attorney “unprofessional, inappropriate, and ineffective.” Eric Dubelier was representing Concord Management & Consulting when the judge gave him a big smack down, criticizing his strategy. Then, the judge turned on Mueller’s people, saying they were “undermining your credibility in this courthouse,” emphasis on “this:”
‘The judge told attorney Eric Dubelier that his strategy was “ineffective” and that his approach to filings — including pop culture quotes and accusing Mueller’s office basically of lawlessness — was “undermining your credibility in this courthouse”‘
Judge Dabney Friedrich told attorney Dubelier to “Knock it off.” Things got hot at this point. Dubelier told the judge that she might be biased, but the judge disagreed.
Dubelier said that he felt the judge had “personally attacked him.” Friedrich reasoned that she had also “made personal attacks on Mueller’s office.” The attorney for the defense told the judge he was just “telling the truth.”
At that point, the judge agreed to let Dubelier consult with his client. Judge Friedrich also ordered the two sides to meet and talk about “discovery-related issues.” Dubelier said they had already tried. The judge told them “to try again.”
Then, Frederich closed the courtroom for a grand jury “discovery-related” matter. Yet, Dubelier left a mere “five minutes later:”
‘”Knock it off,” Judge Dabney Friedrich told Dubelier. This then led to a heated exchange where Dubelier said he needed to consult his client since the judge had accused of unprofessional conduct, and now there might be bias from the judge. There’s no bias, the judge replied.’
‘Dubelier pushed back, saying the judge had personally attacked him, and Friedrich replied by saying he had made personal attacks on Mueller’s office. Dubelier said he was just telling the truth.’
‘How did this end? The judge agreed Dubelier could have time to consult with his client (Concord). She ordered the defense and the govt to sit down and discuss discovery-related issues — Dubelier said they’d tried, and the govt just said no, Friedrich said they needed to try again.’
‘The judge then closed the courtroom to discuss an issue that relates to a grand jury matter, so it’s sealed, but Dubelier left the courtroom less than five minutes later. He declined to answer questions.’
Featured image is a screenshot via YouTube.
