[Marxism] Lynne Stewart Trial - Tigar's Closing Argument

["Steven L. Robinson" <srobin21@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Defense Defends NY Lawyer's Politics 


New York Lawyer January 7, 2005 

By Mark Hamblett New York Law Journal 

http://www.nylawyer.com/news/05/01/010705b.html 

Michael Tigar, attorney Lynne Stewart's lawyer, yesterday emotionally defended 
his client's admittedly radical political views during the second day of 
closing arguments in a federal trial in which she is accused of providing 
material support to a terrorist group. 

Mr. Tigar said Ms. Stewart's politics "had nothing to do with whether or not a 
person can be, or is, an effective, honorable, decent lawyer." 

Referring to his own world view and role as an attorney, Mr. Tigar choked up as 
he said, "I want to be judged by the content of my character — not by my 
politics — and Lynne Stewart does too." 

Earlier, in addressing what he said was the heart of the matter, Mr. Tigar said 
Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman never authorized Ms. Stewart, as his attorney, to light 
a fuse of violence by calling for his followers in Islamic Group to resume 
attacks in Egypt. Instead, Mr. Tigar told the jury, the sheik merely said he 
doubted the effectiveness of a cease-fire declared by the group because the 
Egyptian government was still repressing dissent. 

Assuming the voice of the blind sheik, Mr. Tigar said, "I will withdraw my 
support, but after all, it's up to you. That's the statement and you saw it 
over and over again." 

Mr. Tigar will have one more opportunity to address the jury on Monday as he 
seeks to defeat charges that Ms. Stewart conspired with co-defendants Ahmed 
Abdel Sattar and Mohamed Yousry to violate restrictions and pass messages to 
and from the imprisoned sheik.

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