Balducci:
He was a lawyer 16 years. Did essentially every type of practice there is. Started with a small town practice. Was a public defender in
Has known Judge Lackey his entire legal career. First met him when started practicing as a public defender –tried many cases in front of him, hundreds, had thousands of cases before him.
Relationship: Judge Lackey was a mentor to me. Took me into the practice of law from the bench, showed me my mistakes, congratulated me when I did well. We became close friends.
Is familiar with the Jones case. There was a meeting between 3/15 and 3/28 at Scruggs’s office with a discussion involving the Jones case. Did not know when he was asked to come that this was what the purpose of the meeting. Present: Zach, Dickie Scruggs, Sid Backstrom, Patterson, Balducci.
"I was asked to use my personal relationship with the judge to attempt to corruptly influence Judge Lackey to enter an order in favor of the Scruggs law firm. "
(Keker was annoyed no end by this remark, saying it read like an indictment, was conclusory).
He had never done anything like this with Lackey.
He knew this was completely unethical and was risking the loss of his law license. No money was mentioned at that meeting. No crime was contemplated at that time.
Specifically, what was said at that meeting: The discussion turned to Jones, and Patterson and Balducci were told that the members of Scruggs firm had been sued and Lackey was the judge. The initial discussion was about Balducci’s firm representing Scruggs. That was rejected. Then the idea was broached of Balducci being a mediator with Jones because he knew and had worked with Jones, trying to resolve the case. That was rejected and then "the real purpose of the meeting was revealed. " (Keker objected to this last and the objection was sustained).
More later! Back to court! (There’s a lot more about Balducci to come– his account of bribing Judge DeLaughter and Trent Lott’s role, for instance.)
I would hope that what hurt balducci the most was what Lackey thought of him after he tried to bribe him.
Who was Dickie’s lawyer of record on JonesVScruggs…
I believe it was Grady Tollison, Magnolia.
Right. My bad. Think before posting.
I believe Langston had taken over on Scruggs’ team.
At the last Jones vs Scruggs it was Attorney Cal Mayo of Mayo and Mallett Law Firm representing Scruggs.
The lawyers they were talking about then, Jane, were Daniel Coker folks. Mayo entered the case in mid-December when Coker dropped Scruggs as a client.
Langston worked in the Wilson case, not in the Jones case, Dragoman
Roger that, NMC. I should have referred to lotus’ flow chart before attempting an answer.
Maybe I should make a big outline on my wall like Faulkner did for “A Fable.”