Former Dewey leader wants to proceed pro se as retrial of his criminal case looms
Citing irreconcilable differences with his longtime lawyer about defense strategy, as well as financial issues, a former Dewey & LeBoeuf leader told a Manhattan judge Friday, through his lawyer, that he wants to go forward on his own as a retrial of his criminal case looms.
Acting Supreme Court Justice Robert Stolz urged Robert DiCarmine to reconsider and declined to rule at this time on whether to take partner Austin Campriello of Bryan Cave off the case, the Am Law Daily (sub. req.) reports.
“The consequences are very severe in this case,” Stolz told DiCarmine, who served as executive director of Dewey & LeBoeuf prior to the law firm’s bankruptcy. “You could go to state prison if convicted. You may feel you know what this case is all about having been through it once, but I assure you it will be a different jury. It will be a different presentation from the people.”
The judge urged DiCarmine to consult with other lawyers about his plan before the next scheduled hearing later this month—and, told that DiCarmine had already done so, asked what they had recommended.
“They said if anyone can do it I can do it,” said DiCarmine, a 59-year-old gradate of California Western School of Law. However, he noted: “Everyone said it was a bad idea.”
Related coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Jurors and others unconvinced Dewey & LeBoeuf management was a crime”
ABAJournal.com: “Judge throws out toughest criminal charges against former Dewey leaders as prosecutors’ case shrinks”
ABA Journal: “How Dewey management’s rosy picture masked an ugly truth”
