Killer Cross Examination

School shootings. The fact that we are even discussing it is a disgusting sign of the times. Oxford High School is just the latest school to be the site of a massacre. Ethan Crumbley is charged with murder for his role in the Oxford High School Massacre.  Ethan's parents are charged with manslaughter. But what about the schools, school officials, districts, etc? Schools are less safe than an airport for crying out loud and we've had enough. What policies and laws are preventing us from holding schools, districts and administrations from being held accountable? Civil rights lawyer Vince Colella who has handled cases alongside lawyers such as Brian Claypool, Ben Crump and full disclosure, yours truly, breaks it down. 

This is an episode not be missed. 

Robert Durst is dead.  I’ve spent a lot of time discussing Robert Durst, his life, his trials and his convictions. He died while his conviction for killing Susan Berman is in appeal. What it means….

This is a one of a kind podcast episode. Steve Fishman is a one of a kind trial attorney.  Fishman has won some of the biggest verdicts in Michigan.  He and I have handled and tried cases together and in this podcast episode, Steve Fishman and I share stories from some of the cases that we've handled together and more.  Who is Steve Fishman? Some know him from his days playing basketball at the University of Michigan alongside Rudy Tomjanovich. Others from his "Mumford High School" days. He is a Detroit, Michigan legend.  Steve Fishman’s client roster reads like a "Who's Who" in Detroit.  Many remember him from defending Demetrius Hollway, Chris Webber, Robert Traylor, Monica Conyers, former Michigan Supreme Court Justice Diane Hathaway and Ben Wallace to name just a few.

It took one line in a nationally covered trial for pundits, members of the public and lawyers everywhere to learn what we already knew in here in Michigan:  Steve Fishman is a natural. What was the line? After Gerry Spence said, "I'm from Wyoming” to a jury, Steve Fishman got up, not missing a beat, and said, "I'm from Wyoming too … Wyoming and Curtis." It drew laughs, showed how relatable he was and endeared him to the jury and public immediately.  That one line captivated the courtroom.  But it wasn't a trick or a gimmick, Fishman is sincere, humorous, quick witted and has the ability to size up the room and capitalize on a moment like few others.  And … there are no better cross examiners anywhere. Period. Zip. Zero. Zilch. Full disclosure, Fishman is one of my mentors and dear friends but he wouldn't be on this podcast just for those reasons.  He's here because he really is that good.

Before the Kyle Rittenhouse trial, few outside of Wisconsin knew or had even heard of Judge Bruce Schroeder. Now, nearly everyone does and it seems that they all have an opinion about him.  From explaining the reasoning for his rulings, yelling at the prosecutors, making bizarre comments and at times demeaning statements, e.g., his “Asian food” comment, Judge Schroeder has turned much of the attention towards him.  I’m not here to talk about his rulings, the quality of the the lawyering or Rittenhouse’s guilt (we’ll have time to break that down later) but rather about the Judge’s demeanor, personality and whether it is more common than you’d like to believe.  The answers may surprise you. Tune into this solo edition of the Killer Cross Examination Podcast.

He defended the real life “Mule”, the subject of the movie starring Clint Eastwood and Bradley Cooper and directed by Clint Eastwood, represented Drew Peterson, the former police officer charged with murdering one of his wives and took part in the “Family Secrets” case in which characters and scenes in the movie Casino, starring Robert DeNiro and Joe Pesci, were loosely based and he’s here to share his stories and approach to trials. Darryl Goldberg Does Killer Cross!

I bet you didn’t know that Wonder Woman lives in Kansas. Well, she does. Swain is nicknamed “Wonder Woman” and her firm is often referred to as “the Swain Train”.  The Rockweiler meets Wonder Woman.  This is an incredible episode.

For all of you progressives and for whose who wonder if it is different for a woman, listen to this episode. Swain is a maverick. In the heart of the Midwest, Kansas, Swain’s motto is “F— the Patriarchy” and she means it! She ran for Attorney General and wasn’t supported by either party.  When asked who she’d like to cross examine, whether dead or alive, she said, “OJ Simpson”!  When asked why? Swain said, “because I’d get him to confess.” Amazing stuff! When asked who the best cross examiner she’s ever seen was/is, she didn’t hesitate, “me”, she said.  For years, the gnarlier the case, the more she wanted to be involved.

Making A Murderer, the Netflix Documentary Series, captured the attention of tends of millions.  The series followed the prosecution of Steve Avery and Brendan Dassey for the murder of Teresa Halback.  Dean Strang defended Steve Avery and he takes us behind the scenes, tells us what it was like making the show, his reaction to the verdict, his style in the courtroom and his favorite cross examination story (it involves Wayne Newton, the venerable Las Vegas entertainer).  He discusses how he became a lawyer, what he did before becoming a lawyer, how he ended up in criminal defense and how he ended up defending Avery in case that gripped the nation.  You do not want to miss this episode - and this is one that the longer you listen to it, the better it gets.

Alan Dershowitz Does Killer Cross. He needs no introduction. A participant in some of the biggest cases in history, e.g., Mike Tyson, Patty Hearst, Leona Helmsley, Michael Milken, Reverend Jim Bakker, Claus von Bulow, OJ Simpson, Jeff Epstein and Donald Trump,  Dershowitz is one of the most significant lawyers, authors, commentators and scholars in American legal history. Dershowitz joins Neil Rockind to discuss his career, his first case, his favorite cross examination, the best cross examiner he has ever seen,  his opinion of Johnnie Cochran and F. Lee Bailey, and his legacy, including what cases he believes he will be remembered for and why. The answers may shock you! He talks about his treatment by liberals, including Larry David and others who he considered friends  and colleagues and the personal accusations that have been levied against him. At times, Dershowitz lets it fly. This is one episode you don't want to miss! #alandershowitz #crossexamination #dershowitz