Fieger acquitted.  H/T Bennett.

Mel Weiss gets 30 months.

Quite a day for heavyweights of the plaintiffs’ bar.  While I have sinned against Gerry Spence in the past by accusing him of immodesty for his claim to have never lost a criminal case, I must atone for my sins.  By tomorrow, perhaps the local papers will have interviewed the jurors and learned that this was another Imelda story (though I doubt it, based on Norm’s running coverage.  But regardless, Spence beat the case. 

Gerry Spence said this would be his last case.  He’s 80.  He’s tired. It’s understandable.  And it’s one heck of a way to close out a career.  Gerry Spence, for all his bluff and swagger, may truly be the Darrow of our time.

Mel Weiss, on the other hand, probably isn’t feeling that good today.  He hoped for 18 months, and did substantiall worse.  Given the treatment of his partner and protege, Bill Lerach, it’s not exactly a surprise.  But then, Mel was a master of the universe, and they don’t lose.

Mel got a great plea deal out of Ben Branfman.  Sentencing didn’t go nearly as well, but that’s a matter of relative expectations.  With 18 months in sight, 30 months seems like a very long time.  If he remembered that he had 161 months in sight before, 30 doesn’t sound nearly as bad.  It will go quickly, and Mel will find a few fellows to hang with in a very nice prison camp somewhere.  If someone asked a young Mel Weiss if he would give up 30 months of his life to gain the wealth and lifestyle he’s enjoyed, I bet he would happily agree. 

Quite a day for the plaintiffs’ bar indeed.