New lawyer for Narseal Batiste

Assistant Federal Defender John Wylie is now representing Narseal Batiste, the supposed leader of the terrorist suspects. I've known John Wylie for a long time -- he's a *great* lawyer.

Lawyers for the terror suspects...

Larry Lebowitz of the Miami Herald will be reporting that the lawyers for terror suspects are:

Tony Natale* (Federal Public Defender) for Narseal Batiste (the supposed leader)
Albert Levin for Patrick Abraham
Nathan Clark for Rotschild Augustine
Richard Houlihan for Naudimar Herrera
Gregory Prebish for Burson Augustin

At the hearing, the U.S. Attorney's office objected to the Federal Defender's appointment saying that the office was already representing a witness. Magistrate Judge Patrick White took the parties sidebar and explained that for now the PD's office would be appointed and if a conflict was later proven, both sides could deal with it. The other lawyers on the case are all appointed from the criminal justice act panel.

*Natale is part of the Padilla team. By mentioning Padilla, I've now done what I was complaining about earlier...

Terror indictment

The Sears tower terror case has been indicted in the Southern District of Florida in front of Judge Joan Lenard. Here is the indictment. And here is Judge Lenard's background.

Terror arrests in Miami

Lots of coverage tonight on the alleged terrorists arrested in the Southern District of Florida. Now the question is whether they will be charged and tried here or in some other district...
Also, does is strike you as strange that every article is mentioning that Jose Padilla is awaiting trial in Miami? There is no alleged connection with these arrests and Padilla so why does every single article mention him?

HEAT HEAT HEAT!!

Wow. Unbelievable. We've been waiting for this for so long. So happy for them... especially Zo. When he blocks a shot, it's better than 5 baskets. Wade is beyond words. Shaq delivers on his promise. UD comes up big. Payton's huge shots. Walker's 3rd quarter. Clutch Posey... And how about Riley.

So many great story lines.

Everyone in Miami is dragging a little today from the last 2 months of playoff hoops. But it is such a happy tired feeling... What a great year.

Sorry for rambling.

If the Heat isn't your thing, and you need Southern District news, check out this Padilla report in the Herald (concerning Judge Cooke granting some pre-trial motions for the defense) and a lengthy article about his co-defendant Adham Hassoun in the Daily Business Review.