Inept Defender?
During one particularly disastrous day an attorney observer cracked up the courtroom by asking, “So, who had the under?”
After her opening statement another, well known attorney said, “She just isn’t cut out to be a lead attorney. She can be brilliant when she is working for somebody else but she just doesn’t see the big picture.”
Most of the lawyers in Texas thought her ineptitude was going to get Carrizal convicted. One attorney expressed “doubts” about Gotoro’s “mental state and behavior.”
“At some point,” he said, “after a possible conviction, I expect I may be called as a witness about whether she gave Jake effective assistance of counsel. I hate this whole situation. It’s unfair to Jake and his family. Casie desperately needs a mistrial and she’s too deluded, thinking how well she’s doing, to believe that a mistrial is a better option than a jury verdict.”
In the end , largely because of Jake Carrizal’s transparent testimony, Gotro got her mistrial. Now it will fall to somebody else to win the case,
Judge Matt Johnson of Waco’s 54th State District Court has set a hearing for 1 p.m. Thursday to consider Gotro’s motion to withdraw.
Gotro, of Houston, said there is no conflict between her and Carrizal. She is seeking to withdraw because she cannot afford another prolonged trial, and Carrizal is indigent.
While the Bandidos paid her about $8,000, she racked up $52,000 in expenses during the 5-week trial in Waco and depleted her personal savings account, Gotro said.
“I feel bad for Jake, but I just can’t afford to try a case like that again,” she said.
She said she will do everything she can to help his new attorney prepare for trial.
Carrizal, 36, reached by phone Tuesday, declined to discuss the reasons why Gotro is seeking to withdraw, but said the issue will be discussed during the hearing Thursday.
He said he is talking to a couple of attorneys who could replace Gotro should the judge grant her motion to withdraw. Carrizal said he has not hired another attorney to replace her yet.