Thursday, August 6, 2009

Legal Expert or Media Hound?



The issue of whether any judicial corruption took place in the Robbie Bell prosecution is settled now that Professor Matt Steffey has spoken to us from Mount Sinai. The Robbie Bell prosecution was a reunion of sorts for the Ed Peters gang: Tom Royals (Ed Peters' former partner and defense attorney, George Bell, III's lawyer), Cynthia Speetjeens (defense attorney for Robbie Bell and Bobby DeLaughter and prosecutor under Peters), Tommy Mayfield (George Bell, III's lawyer and prosecutor under Peters), Bobby DeLaughter and Ed Peters. Then there was the matter of Peters' friend Frank Melton putting pressure on JPD to make the case "go away" as sources have told JJ.

Judge DeLaughter heard Ms. Bell's arraignment and was scheduled to preside over her trial when he was removed from the bench. After reading Eaton, Kirk, other cases such as Shelton, it doesn't take a genius to figure out what was going on here after reading through the police reports on the Heather Spencer murder posted last week. There is a reason one gets Ed Peters for a lawyer and gets the case assigned to his boy. However, Rat Stiffey states: "I think there is no reason at all to believe that Judge DeLaughter in any way conspired with Ed Peters.. or anybody else in disposing of the charges against Ms. Bell."

Really Professor Steffey? Let's look at the facts. Steffey didn't practice law in Hinds County, much less try criminal cases, but instead practiced for a short while in Florida very early in his career. He has been a professor for over twenty years. Regular lawyers know his type: such professors in the Never-never-land that is the law school classroom, while they are slugging it out in the trenches with clients, prosecutors, and judges, getting their hands dirty while the pretty-boy REMF's go on t.v. and appear as experts. The real lawyers know who is in whose pocket or which lawyers are connected, while the "expert" talks about theory. Steffey was not even an authority on criminal law. The only reason he became a criminal law professor was that in the late 90's a professor left, so MCSOL assigned him to teach criminal law classes. Prior to this charge, he taught Constitutional Law, Admiralty, and other non-criminal law courses. The media began interviewing him as an "expert" because he was the local criminal law professor and they needed someone who can go on camera on short notice.

If he was a real lawyer and practiced criminal law while Ed Peters was District Attorney, he would know some of the garbage that went on under Peters' tenure in the Hinds County District Attorney's office. How prosecutors saw their cases reassigned to other prosecutors who then dropped the charges if his little pets just happened to be the lawyers representing the defendant. How Peters would indict people "on a dare" to quote the Shelton case. How Peters was indicted several times while the Mississippi Bar looked the other way. Steffey merely shows his ignorance to the local legal community which laughed very hard when it heard this "expert opinion".

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yes, I saw that video of Steffey making his claims. There is NO DOUBT, he would wet his pants if he ever had to perform in a trial court.

Similar to these professor expert economists who love explaining the economy as if it were all so simple.

Kingfish said...

That is why the financial blogs posted here are run by traders. These are guys actually working the markets. Its also why I take Santelli much more seriously than the rest of them. I wish he had a blog.

Anonymous said...

He really is a disgrace. However, most of the blame lies with the media for giving him a forum. If a blabbering idiot pontificates on the law and there are no cameras to capture it, does he make a sound?

Kingfish said...

Here is the problem: They need someone who will go on camera on short notice. As most attorneys are have full schedules AND don't want to critique other lawyers and judges they might practice with, they are usually not going to appear on camera.

I've suggested to them they should look at Latham if he would do it as he is winding down his practice.

Anonymous said...

KF, I must disagree with you on one point.

Matt Steffey is NOT a pretty-boy.

Whothehellismattsteffey? said...

Uggghhh!! Who is this greasy looking monkey man??? And why is he on television every time I turn it on?? Kudos to WLBT for having the stones to air this story!! Dennis Smith...puhleeeze don't ad insult to injury to an already corrupted system by having this MAN comment on everything that has the word "legal" in it! Shake it up a little...if nothing else but for purposes of variety.

Anonymous said...

Matt Steffey paints his toenails.....you be the judge.....

Anonymous said...

Damn Ed Peters. he's going to fry over 'Shelton". The Feds are all over it.


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Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

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Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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