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As that opinion & order suggests: racking up appeal credits. But then, the defence's entire "plan" appears to have been a series of Hail Marys. Because the evid

As that opinion & order suggests: racking up appeal credits. But then, the defence's entire "plan" appears to have been a series of Hail Marys. Because the evidence is laughably overwhelming. Because Ulbricht is apparently a narcissist so utterly convinced he couldn't possibly get caught that he kept a diary of his crimes right there on his daily working laptop. (I realise technically he hasn't been convicted yet. But HOLY SHIT.) To be fair, Ulbricht seems to have been a nightmare client. But a bench-slap like that says "one millimetre further and you're sanctioned." No lawyer wanting a long and happy career wants one of those.

PhantomGremlin 12y ago
> Ulbricht seems to have been a nightmare client The previous "nightmare client" that comes to mind is Hans Reiser. That didn't end well.
gwern 12y ago
> To be fair, Ulbricht seems to have been a nightmare client. I haven't gotten that impression. He didn't insist on testifying, and he's been polite and well-mannered in the court room. As far as the defense strategy goes, it seems to have been all Dratel et al; I'm not aware of Ulbricht forcing any of the strategy choices.
- davidgerard 12y ago
  I mean mostly in the sense that this was such a hopeless case he should have taken a plea, leaving only Hail Mary passes as a strategy. I'd had the impression Dratel was respected before this. But attracting a bench-slap like this is not behaviour that gets you respect. (Unless I am proven wrong and Ulbricht gets off or only gets a light sentence, of course.)
  - gwern 12y ago
    Why would they offer him any plea worth taking? Would you offer more than a negligible amount off if you were the prosecutor? > I'd had the impression Dratel was respected before this. From reading the transcript, I get the impression that he's respected but also known to be aggressive and a bit of a dick; but maybe that's what a good defense lawyer is in a hard case like that.
  - ryanlol 12y ago
    Taken a plea? What plea?

PhantomGremlin 12y ago

> Ulbricht seems to have been a nightmare client The previous "nightmare client" that comes to mind is Hans Reiser. That didn't end well.

gwern 12y ago

> To be fair, Ulbricht seems to have been a nightmare client. I haven't gotten that impression. He didn't insist on testifying, and he's been polite and well-mannered in the court room. As far as the defense strategy goes, it seems to have been all Dratel et al; I'm not aware of Ulbricht forcing any of the strategy choices.

davidgerard 12y ago
I mean mostly in the sense that this was such a hopeless case he should have taken a plea, leaving only Hail Mary passes as a strategy. I'd had the impression Dratel was respected before this. But attracting a bench-slap like this is not behaviour that gets you respect. (Unless I am proven wrong and Ulbricht gets off or only gets a light sentence, of course.)
- gwern 12y ago
  Why would they offer him any plea worth taking? Would you offer more than a negligible amount off if you were the prosecutor? > I'd had the impression Dratel was respected before this. From reading the transcript, I get the impression that he's respected but also known to be aggressive and a bit of a dick; but maybe that's what a good defense lawyer is in a hard case like that.
- ryanlol 12y ago
  Taken a plea? What plea?