Criminal Justice
2 Lawyers Convicted in Witness-Tampering Case, Could Face Life in Prison
Posted Aug 20, 2009 11:11 AM CST
By Martha Neil
After nearly a week of deliberation, a federal jury in Brooklyn, N.Y., today convicted two lawyers in a witness-tampering case that reportedly could put them in prison for life.
Robert Simels sat back in his chair at the defense table and looked furious as his associate, Arienne Irving, put her head down and cried, reports the New York Daily News.
Simels, 62, who is a well-known criminal defense lawyer, was convicted of 12 of 13 counts, winning acquittal only on a charge of making false statements to the government, reports Bloomberg.
Testimony in the case made headlines, especially when a tape made by an informant was played of Simels discussing a need to "eliminate" or "neutralize" witnesses against a client in a major drug case. He testified that the terms were just hyperbole and he never meant to suggest that witnesses should be harmed.
Irving did not testify in her own defense.
Additional coverage:
Associated Press: "NY attorney convicted in witness-tampering case"
New York Law Journal: "NY Attorneys Facing Life in Prison Wait—and Wait—for Jury's Verdict"
New York Post: "Lawyer Convicted of Witness Tampering"
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Comments
B. McLeod
Aug 20, 2009 12:07 PM CST
He should have realized there was a significant risk the jury would not buy his story. He should be angry only with himself. It is too bad about his “associate,” Ms. Irving. She probably thought Simels knew what was acceptable and what was not.
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DR
Aug 20, 2009 1:08 PM CST
This matter has been in the papers here on and off througout the year. According to Ms. Irving’s attorney registration information, she was admitted to the NY Bar in 2004. She was arrested (with Simels) in 2008….which meant she had practicing law (at least in New York) for four years. Without knowing knowing anything else about her, my guess is that she is fairly young. This outcome is a real shame, no matter what position you take on Ms. Irving’s guilt.
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DR
Aug 20, 2009 1:09 PM CST
Whoops, some typos. “throughout” and “which meant she [had] been practicing law…”
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