Lawyer accused of sending false texts to client who was stabbed outside his office
A Cleveland lawyer is accused of sending false text messages to a client stabbed to death outside his law office in 2013.
According to prosecutors, the text messages sent by lawyer Gregory J. Moore to the client, Aliza Sherman, falsely indicated he was in the office waiting for her arrival minutes before and after the stabbing, Cleveland.com reports. Key card records and witness accounts indicate Moore had left the office an hour before the stabbing and returned an hour after the stabbing, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Timothy McGinty said on Thursday. Fox8, WKYC and Cleveland Jewish News also have stories.
Moore is also accused of falsely telling police officers he was in his office when Sherman was fatally stabbed by a hooded assailant. He is charged with tampering with evidence, telecommunications fraud, possessing criminal tools, obstructing official business, falsification and forgery.
Prosecutors say Moore wasn’t prepared for Sherman’s trial scheduled for the next day, and a judge had refused to grant any more continuances. Moore had replaced Sherman’s prior lawyer, who had been suspended for a year, according to Cleveland Jewish News.
Moore was previously charged with inducing panic for allegedly calling in three courthouse bomb threats on days his clients were scheduled for trial. The new indictment includes charges of terroristic threats in connection with those calls.
Moore has denied involvement in the bomb threats and Sherman’s murder. His lawyer, Kevin Spellacy, told Cleveland.com, “It’s obvious that they’re still searching for the true murderer of Aliza Sherman.”
“Greg is looking forward to his day in court,” Spellacy said.
