Brandon Vandenberg fires two attorneys, keeps Perez for his appeal

Brandon Vandenburg listening to the “guilty on all charges” verdict.

I totally called it.

Seconds after the “Guilty” verdict of Vanderbilt University’s wannabe football star and team rapist facilitator, Brandon Vandenburg, came in, I posted my take:

“Guilty – is it too soon to mention Malpractice?“

California attorney Albert Perez

Late today comes word Brandon Vanderburg’s parents fired two of Brandon’s attorneys, Fletcher Long and John  Herbison.  (Herbison was blogging behind the scenes.  More on that later.)  However, in that the Vandenburg family kept California friend and criminal attorney, Albert Perez on hand, it did strike me as rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.

Appellate cases are very different from lower court trial.  The rules are different.  The procedures are different, and sometimes peculiar, to be frank.

It takes a special skill set to handle appeals.  So while keeping an out-of-state California attorney on hand seems strange, the Vandenburg’s are loyal to Perez in spite of the fact the trial was a complete bust.  Not that I mind.  In fact, my post asked if the retainer included an appeal.

Fletcher Long, posturing during trial.

Also, perhaps Fletcher Long doesn’t mind being out of a job considering his own hide is in the sling from a couple of charges.

One charge is harassment, and brought by a former employee.  The second charge – which Long picked up months later; involves extortion concerning a retainer agreement with a former client, and Long juggling his finances.

Also, Fletcher Long had his former client arrested.  This is nasty stuff folks, and quite likely, coming back to bite him.

Long’s partner and behind-the-scene, partner-blogger, John Herbison who was absent during the trial because, it turns out he was suspended. So he blogged about the case.

Which got me to thinking.  So much so I had conversations with reporters in Nashville; asking if perhaps they knew who Beth Shepard was as Beth was very pro-Vandenburg and the team; and very much against the victim.   Including, in the Second picture, writing

“When this goes to trial, I can’t wait to see this chick try to testify it’s going to be LOL funny!” below.

All this made me wonder if old blogging John Herbison, was Beth Shepard.  She doesn’t seem to match the other Beth Shepard’s on Facebook.

Also from Beth:  “This case seems like a joke.  If these are the kind of tactics that are going to be used through out the trial, I feel bad for the jurors but ever (sic) worst for the boys who are getting dragged into.”

And then, poof.  Beth disappeared shortly after the victim testified.

Oh.  It also turns outs John Herbison also has his own issues with the Bar.  This isn’t Herbison’s first rodeo, either.

Ultimately, seems like Fletcher Long and John Herbison are quite the pair to draw to!

One last thing.  Will get back to you after getting a status check on Defendant Miles Finley.  Last I heard the plea hadn’t expired.  So we’ll see.

Miles Finley

Still, when it comes to protecting women – TN is slipping into its old ways

William Lamberth

Rep. William Lamberth, R-Cottontown, sponsored a bill that removed a judge’s discretion to waive the 12-hour hold on someone arrested for violence.  As judges began using “discretion” to ignore victims, specifically after one Nashville judge called in a favor and got a prominent developer out of jail early, and the developer returned to assault his victim a second time….the bill has been gutted (amended) to allow the fake “discretion” factor to remain, but, adds paperwork.  In other words, judges calling in favors to spring their criminal friends, now must document in writing, their failure to protect the victim, so at least the victims can be notified the guy will soon be coming back for round two.

Or put another way, business as usual.  But thanks for trying Rep. Lamberth!