Sneddon Adversary Joins Jackson Defense

Defense attorney Gary Dunlap is the latest addition to superstar Michael Jackson’s defense team. The lawyer and his new client will both be facing an all too familiar adversary. Mr. Dunlap claims that he too was once wrongfully pursued by belligerent prosecutor Thomas Sneddon, with whom he is currently embroiled in a legal battle. In an interview with US television network CBS in 2003, Mr. Dunlap said "[Sneddon] said he had a very strong case against me. The problem was that his whole strong case was manufactured.” The lawyer, who was later acquitted of all charges in a jury trial, added that “[Sneddon] lost his opportunity against Michael Jackson in 1993, and he doesn't want to leave office without paying that score back." His addition to the Jackson defense is thought to be a huge boost for the entertainer, who is similarly alleging prosecutorial misconduct in his child abuse case. His experience facing the “overzealous” District Attorney will undoubtedly be of value to lead attorney, Thomas Mesereau. In November 2003 Mr. Dunlap filed 22 counts against the DA, including charges of malicious prosecution, racketeering and witness tampering. He is suing for $10m. Earlier that year Mr. Sneddon had charged Mr. Dunlap with perjury, witness intimidation and filing false documents. The lawyer was acquitted on all charges and claims that filing multiple charges in the hopes of obtaining at least one guilty verdict is one of the prosecutor’s regular courtroom ploys. Joe Freeman, a civil rights attorney representing Mr. Dunlap, called for an investigation of Mr. Sneddon last year. In a letter to the California Attorney General, the Santa Barbara County Grand Jury and the California State Bar Association, he wrote: “In my opinion, the matters to be investigated are the possible criminal violations of several felony and misdemeanor statutes, including conspiracy, illegal taping, deceiving a court and a prosecutor illegally assisting the defense of a case.” Opening statements in the Jackson case are expected to be heard Monday. Source: CBS/MJJForum/eMJey Click here to read MJJForum Talk Radio's 2004 interview with Mr. Dunlap.