Once-Prominent Lawyer Abandons Effort to Portray Teen as Nazi, Takes Plea in Sex Case
So much for the Nazi-victim-made-me-do-it defense. After a Minnesota judge ruled against admitting a photo that reportedly showed the teenage victim of a claimed sex crime with an Adolf Hitler-like mustache and an arm raised in a Nazi salute, a once-prominent Minneapolis lawyer has taken a plea as his case was about to go to to trial.
Aaron Biber, 47, pleaded guilty this morning to one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor over whom he had authority, reports the Star Tribune. In exchange, a count of soliciting a boy for sex will be dropped. The defense didn’t contest the sex, but had argued that authority was lacking.
His lawyer will seek probation for the former Gray Plant Mooty antitrust and trade regulation practice group co-chair; prosecutors are asking for a 14-year prison term, according to City Pages.
Under the plea, Hennepin County District Court Judge Lloyd Zimmerman will have discretion to determine the sentence.
“I thought a lot about it. The fact is I committed this crime,” a tearful Biber told the court, the Star Tribune reports. “I don’t want to put the victim, his family, my family, my sons and my former wife and colleagues through this. I’ve been in therapy the past few months and I feel this would be a positive step in my therapy.”
Earlier, the defense reportedly sought to introduce into evidence a photo of the claimed victim, who was allegedly no older than 15 at the time of the crime, dressed up to look like Adolf Hitler.
Earlier coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Once-Prominent Lawyer to Argue Nazi-Posing Teen Lover Controlled Relationship”
ABAJournal.com: “Lawyer Who Was in Line to Be State Bar President Is Jailed in Teen Sex Case”
