Criminal Justice
Defense lawyer refuses plea deal in alleged witness bribery plot
A Rhode Island lawyer accused in a plot to bribe a witness rejected a plea deal on Tuesday that called for jail time.
Donna Uhlmann is scheduled to be tried on Sept. 23 for alleged obstruction of justice, the Providence Journal reports. She is accused in a plot to bribe a stabbing victim, convicted felon Michael Drepaul, not to testify against the alleged perpetrator. Uhlmann represented Drepaul.
A defense lawyer who represented the alleged perpetrator, Gerard Donley, was convicted of bribery, conspiracy and obstruction of justice and is scheduled to be sentenced today. He had testified at his trial that the money he paid to Drepaul’s girlfriend was intended to compensate Drepaul for his injuries.
