Yep, I’ve Got a Fool For a Client

Abraham Lincoln famously stated “He who represents himself has a fool for a client.” Of course, that was before Google. Now, some people think that they can do a bit of online research and gain enough information to beat the system without the necessity of being represented by a professional. They are still fools.

At this point in the prosecution of the January 6 rioters, there are at least six defendants who believe that can go it alone. Brandon Fellows is one of them. At his bond hearing last week, the judge patiently tried to explain that he would be better served by listening to the advice of his court-appointed counsel.  He decided against that—which was his first mistake. 

Brandon’s second mistake was not recognizing the difference between a bond hearing and an evidentiary hearing. 

Brandon’s third mistake was trying to use a “loophole” he found on line to disqualify the judge. This loophole turned out to be a felony.

Brandon’s fourth mistake was not recognizing that anything he says in court can be used against him in further proceedings. 

So now Brandon is not only still in custody but also faces additional felony counts for things he said under oath in court. 

A fool indeed. 

There is an implied fifth mistake as well. Brandon, as well as many other defendants, are claiming that they should not be held responsible because they were simply trying to promote Donald Trump’s position concerning the election. These valiant political soldiers were under the impression that Trump would protect them or at least pay a portion of their legal fees. After all, it was Trump himself who said "It was a loving crowd, too, by the way. There was a lot of love."

Brandon and his friends are learning that expressions of love don’t pay the bills.