Calif. Suspends Lawyer Who Botched Gang-Related Shooting Case, Orders Arbitration Over Disputed Fee
Corrected: A gang-related shooting case that California attorney Harlan Antler handled in Sacramento Superior Court three years ago clearly did not go well.
Among other failings, Antler, now 64, didn’t “make a coherent opening statement,” prepare his client, Armando Rios, to testify or “advance a defense theory,” according to a stipulation filed by the State Bar of California in a legal ethics case.
Although Rios was found guilty, Judge Matthew Gary granted a post-trial motion to reverse the conviction based on ineffective assistance of counsel and reported Antler to attorney disciplinary authorities, reports the Sacramento Bee.
He has now been suspended from practice for a year, and must meet certain criteria to be reinstated. Among the requirements are that he participate in arbitration to determine how much of the $85,000 he received from the Rios family must be repaid, with interest. While Antler has already repaid some of the money, they aren’t satisfied that he retains about $54,000.
Rios was convicted in a second jury trial in which he was apparently defended by another lawyer and is serving a 17-year sentence.
Corrected March 21 to change headline to reflect that it was a gang-related shooting.
Correction
Corrected March 21 to change headline to reflect that it was a gang-related shooting.
