Clark's Legal Counsel

Kat

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The two public defenders that appeared with him in court today are identified as:

...Assistant Public Defender Joseph E. Lopez, and Senior Assistant Public Defender Beth Merkin,...

quoted from picture two on the link provided in post #204
 
The two public defenders that appeared with him in court today are identified as:



quoted from picture two on the link provided in post #204

Quick question...I posted a link to "Dworkin" last ngiht. Are they all with the same office? I read his lawyer was Dworkin, then these other 2 pd's show up this morning. I'm thinking they all work for the same office of the public defender? Are they all just drawn from a pull?

Sorry for this next example but I can't help but think how well known JB got with the Caylee case. Hope we're not looking at another circus here...
 
Quick question...I posted a link to "Dworkin" last ngiht. Are they all with the same office? I read his lawyer was Dworkin, then these other 2 pd's show up this morning. I'm thinking they all work for the same office of the public defender? Are they all just drawn from a pull?

Sorry for this next example but I can't help but think how well known JB got with the Caylee case. Hope we're not looking at another circus here...

This is a long post about lawyers in this case, please ignore if you aren't interested. Apologies for such a long post.
Hi Jersey, I spent a portion of this morning looking for the answer to your questions.

I'm not sure I found them but I hope this helps.

From everything that I have read ~ Dworski is in private practice and I have not seen him previously associated with the public defenders office. With the exception of one article that stated that Dworski and the public defenders office were working with RC. (Not sure how to read that KWIM? Link below)

I don't know if he is on the list (a list that they use in which when a case comes up, it's the luck of the draw for the lawyer, and they are assigned to that case as a public defender). I did a medium in depth search on the internet for Dworkin and I'm not finding anything quickly. Perhaps someone else will... I did note that he is not longer on this case though. I'm discussing prior to his leaving in this paragraph.

I did find a mention of him (Dworski) in a previous case:
...he presented and won the first criminal DNA case decided by the Connecticut Supreme Court...
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2181019/raymond_clark_lawyered_up_dna_tests.html?cat=9

I haven't looked that case up yet. Perhaps someone else will beat me to it :)

However, it was noted also in that article that Dworski's practice's emphasis is on DWI.

Also this caught my eye:

...Dworski's criminal law expertise may not be sufficient to deal with the myriad issues that may come up with respect a murder trial particularly if there should prove to be grounds for a charge of capital murder against Clark...

(Same link as above)

~!*Speculation*!~

My first response is that it has to do with retainers and money. The defendent can't afford to pay a private attn. KWIM? In conjunction with this case is a high-profile murder trial of which Dworski may not have sufficient experience to properly defend. Which we all know, can easily result in a mistrial or overturning of conviction. Just a possibility. OT: but perhaps Dworski is going to take the high road after seeing the fiasco that JB is creating down in FL? hehe.

Then again we aren't far enough into the process to know what sentence the State is going to request? That would also give us an idea as to why Dworski isn't working on this case anymore once that is revealed.

Sorry for the long post.
 
[ame="http://websleuths.com/forums/showpost.php?p=4174717&postcount=264"]Websleuths Crime Sleuthing Community - View Single Post - Raymond Clark III[/ame]


Above link is about the first attn RC had and who is now no longer working on his case. JFYI.

Joseph E. Lopez:

http://www.avvo.com/attorneys/06510-ct-joseph-lopez-1474274.html
snipped from above:
12 years since J. E. Lopez was first licensed to practice law in CT.
State License Connecticut status Active Year acquired 1997 Last updated by Avvo
12/01/2008

http://www.ctd.uscourts.gov/Opinions/020704.wwe.osuch.pdf
I can't access a followup on the decision made in that.

Here is some history on Mr. Lopez:
https://www.policyarchive.org/bitstream/handle/10207/8686/communitydefenseNOLA.pdf?sequence=1

Mentioned on pgs: 36, 56, and 66.

Snipped from pg. 36:
Joseph Lopez a public defender previously at the Bridgeport public defender in CT.

An article dated 2008 where Lopez was the attn. (Note: there is mention of two Lopez' one is Hector the other is the attn.).
http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2008/10/04/news/a3-puntielforoct4.txt

An article dated Sep 14, 2009 where J. Lopez was attn.:
http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2009/09/14/news/new_haven/a3-shakenbaby_mon.txt

An exerpt of an article on a case that Lopez defended: charges were dropped when the defendent died of cancer.
http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-168958615.html

Note: It seems the defendent had entered a plea deal prior to death.

I'm not finding J. Lopez in a lot of articles. I even searched the courant.com local newspaper.

B. Merkin:

I wonder if this is the same B. Merkin? address is in New Haven, CT.

snipped from website:
24 years since Beth A Merkin was first licensed to practice law in CT.
See license details Hide license details

State License Connecticut status Active Year acquired 1985 Last updated by Avvo
12/01/2008
http://www.avvo.com/attorneys/06510-ct-beth-merkin-1453090.html
 
Attorney David Dworski declined to answer questions about the his client or the case, including whether his client denies having anything to do with the Le homicide.

He issued only a one-sentence statement: “We’re committed to proceeding appropriately with the authorities with whom we are in regular communication.”

Also, two New Haven public defenders, Joe Lopez and Beth Merkin, are providing assistance.

http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2...9632844012.txt

Found this:

Clark appeared in court with two public defenders. One of the attorneys, Joseph Lopez, said they would be handling Clark's case, which had previously been handled by a different lawyer. Lopez said he was still reviewing the case and declined to comment.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,...e=fnc/us/crime
 
Cops and FBI agents interviewed the lab tech several times before Tuesday night. At one point, he stopped talking and asked for a lawyer, the New Haven Register reported.

David Dworski
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle6838658.ece

On Wednesday, attorney David Dworski confirmed he was representing Clark.
"[Neither] my client nor I will be making any comments. We are working and cooperating with authoritiies (sic) on this investigation," Dworski told ABC News.


Here is Dworksi's website
http://dworskilaw.com/criminaldefense.html

[FONT=Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif]General Practice of Law with emphasis on:[/FONT]
  • [FONT=Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif]Real Estate Purchases & Sales, DWI Defense, Personal Injury Law and Criminal Defense Law.[/FONT]
  • [FONT=Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif]I am able to represent most Mortgage Lenders.[/FONT]
  • [FONT=Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif]I defend DWI cases anywhere in Connecticut and receive many of my cases as referrals from other attorneys.[/FONT]
  • [FONT=Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif]I have Settled or Tried to Verdict Hundreds of Personal Injury Cases;[/FONT]
  • [FONT=Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif]I presented and won the first Criminal DNA Case decided by the Connecticut Supreme Court.[/FONT]
  • [FONT=Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif]I speak fluent spanish, as does my litigation coordinator Susie Teixiera.[/FONT]
 
I think that some private defense attys are going to step up and take this case because it will be high-profile.
 
I think that some private defense attys are going to step up and take this case because it will be high-profile.

I agree, particularly if there's an angle with DNA and the contamination of the crime scene.
 
Yale suspect's attorney to file complaint on new leaks
http://www.newsday.com/long-island/...rney-to-file-complaint-on-new-leaks-1.1462449
September 19, 2009 By MATTHEW CHAYES

snip:
Public defender Joseph Lopez, who said his office will file the complaint with the state attorney's office, said the leaks raise "serious concerns" and are a "very serious and disturbing situation."

"That can jeopardize the integrity of the investigation and of the judicial proceedings . . . particularly when some of the leaked information may not be true," Lopez said.

"DNA can be transferred in many, many ways, and when people work together, DNA can be transferred in ways that are very legitimate," said Hartford defense attorney Michael Georgetti. With AP


The argument by the Defense about the labs not being closed off and possible contamination and transferring DNA, is understandable.
BUT BUT BUT...
IIRC, one of the past articles said both Annie Le and Clark's DNA were found behind the wall and above in the ceiling area where the clothing was located.

As to the commentary by a non-affiliated Defense attorney as to arguments about contamination & transferring DNA:
Just how many students would the Defense want to imply were utilizing the ceiling tiles or doing lab work behind the wall?
 
Thank you Fifth!

There were a couple of ways that were speculated as to how the defense could tackle this trial.

One was the forensic angle, to attack the forensics. To argue that the crime scene was not secured until five days after the murder, and etc...

It looks like we got a peek into this defenses strategy.

IMHO, I've seen that strategy before and it's difficult for the attns and long and arduous for the jury. I am waiting to see what sentence the State seeks, and if that influenced the decision to take this approach for a defense.

I have to say IMHO if there is that much DNA (what has been reported to have been found) I'm really surprised that a plea was not considered.
 
~snipped~

Mention of an attorney taking on this high-profile case made me wonder if we'll be seeing either of these attorneys in the future. It seems they realize it would be a tough case to win ...

"DNA can be transferred in many, many ways, and when people work together DNA can be transferred in ways that are very legitimate," said Michael Georgetti, a Hartford defense attorney.

But the attorneys also said prosecutors' case appears very strong.

If they have Clark's DNA in the crawl space where the body was found, Le's DNA on his clothing, scratches that an expert can say were defensive wounds and more, it will be much harder to base a defense on problems with collecting that evidence. (Noway's note: IIRC, they have all of these things.)

"If a jury is looking for something to grab on to, then this could be something for them to grab on to," said Hugh Keefe, another top Connecticut defense attorney. "But stepping back and going just on what I have read in the newspapers, this is a tough case from a defense standpoint."


http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local-beat/Annie-Les-Body-Returns-Home-59940512.html
 
http://www.newhavenindependent.org/archives/2009/09/annie_le_defend.php

Public Defender: I Don’t Want Annie Le Reporters Investigated

~snipped~ more at link


The article also said:
For starters, said Lewis (pictured at a press conference announcing Clark’s arrest),
some of the information printed about the case wasn’t true; reporters were just speculating.


WHAT PART IS REAL AND WHAT PART IS SPECULATION???:crazy:
The Guy has a right to a fair trial.

Whichever way this trial goes it has to be JUSTICE.
Not a lynch mob.DNA can be easily transferred in this kind of a setting (Laboratory).

I had been very deeply disturbed by cases where innocent people come out 10-25 years later.
After their entire life had been swept away.
PLEASE guys - don't come up telling me What about Le's life? because that is a given..
She did not deserve that. But a fair trial is all I hope for.

FROM WHER I SIT -
He does not yet have proper counsel. ONE with strong criminal background.
ONLY after he get that will I feel he stands to have a fair trial.
Again - I am not saying he is not the culprit. I am certainly not saying that he is.
 
When I saw that Ray Clark had a public defender and not a private attorney, I can see that the odds are strongly against him. Not to say that public defenders are incompetent. You're basically forced to take whoever has been given to you, versus hand picking your own attorney with a good track record.

The evidence that has been leaked provides strong insinuations of guilt, but I agree that the fact the suspected crime scene (i.e. the whole lab area) was contaminated when it wasn't sealed off. Does anyone know if there were police or investigators posted there after hours to make sure people weren't sneaking in there and doing anything suspicious? Or did all the police leave after a certain time of day?

The DNA evidence could have easily been transferred from daily routines, but also, if Ray Clark left his scrubs in an unsecured location, it could have been used by someone to contaminate the evidence. We don't know because they just focused on Ray Clark. The bubble gum, fishing hooks, etc.. in the bag isn't even strong evidence of him doing anything with that. Same thing with him allegedly trying 'hide' equipment that later was found to have blood. If they saw him moving it, they might have interpreted as hiding because they suspected him, whereas if he wasn't a suspect, it would have been interpreted as him cleaning up because that was his job.

A lot of the leaks to the media have come from unnamed sources. We don't know how much of it is legit. And if all this leaking is meant to sway the public into automatically accepting Ray's guilt. It's very disturbing if you can put yourself in his shoes and you didn't do anything but the public thinks you did.
 
In today's defense motion filing, public defenders Beth A. Merkin and Joseph E. Lopez said "disclosure of the information contained in the search warrant affidavits would irreparably prejudice the defendant's state and federal constitutional rights to an impartial jury and to a fair trial, and that this interest must override the public's interest in viewing the warrant affidavits."

http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/yale-annie-le/hc-le-warrant-seal-1001oct01,0,1464849.story
 
When I saw that Ray Clark had a public defender and not a private attorney, I can see that the odds are strongly against him. Not to say that public defenders are incompetent. You're basically forced to take whoever has been given to you, versus hand picking your own attorney with a good track record.

The evidence that has been leaked provides strong insinuations of guilt, but I agree that the fact the suspected crime scene (i.e. the whole lab area) was contaminated when it wasn't sealed off. Does anyone know if there were police or investigators posted there after hours to make sure people weren't sneaking in there and doing anything suspicious? Or did all the police leave after a certain time of day?

The DNA evidence could have easily been transferred from daily routines, but also, if Ray Clark left his scrubs in an unsecured location, it could have been used by someone to contaminate the evidence. We don't know because they just focused on Ray Clark. The bubble gum, fishing hooks, etc.. in the bag isn't even strong evidence of him doing anything with that. Same thing with him allegedly trying 'hide' equipment that later was found to have blood. If they saw him moving it, they might have interpreted as hiding because they suspected him, whereas if he wasn't a suspect, it would have been interpreted as him cleaning up because that was his job.

A lot of the leaks to the media have come from unnamed sources. We don't know how much of it is legit. And if all this leaking is meant to sway the public into automatically accepting Ray's guilt. It's very disturbing if you can put yourself in his shoes and you didn't do anything but the public thinks you did.

Bold in post is mine.

What happened to his lawyer, David Dwordski? I thought the public defenders were helping with the case but that he had a lawyer.


On Wednesday, attorney David Dworski confirmed he was representing Clark.

"[Neither] my client nor I will be making any comments. We are working and cooperating with authoritiies on this investigation," Dworski told ABC News.


http://abcnews.go.com/US/annie-le-suspect-raymond-clark-released-giving-dna/story?id=8588970

I'll find the link in which it talks about the public defenders helping with the case.

"We're committed to proceeding appropriately with the authorities with whom we are in regular communication," said David H. Dworski, Clark's attorney. The public defender's office in New Haven is also consulting on the case.

http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/yale-annie-le/hc-raymond-clark-yale-released,0,2098637.story
 
IIRC, Dworski was brought in only when RC requested an attorney once he failed the polygraph and began panicking. Also, pretty sure Dworski represented RC up and until the Arrest Warrant/Affidavit was served and then the PubDefs were assigned at the court of law.

There is another thread that discusses all of this in the archives, but alas I can't find it.
 
IIRC, Dworski was brought in only when RC requested an attorney once he failed the polygraph and began panicking. Also, pretty sure Dworski represented RC up and until the Arrest Warrant/Affidavit was served and then the PubDefs were assigned at the court of law.

There is another thread that discusses all of this in the archives, but alas I can't find it.

From 9/17

Clark appeared in court with two public defenders who were new to the case. A private-practice attorney who had represented him during the investigation did not attend the hearing and said Thursday he no longer represents Clark. The attorney declined to give a reason.
 

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