On a December night in 2022, I was awoken by a P.A. system directing me to come out with my hands up. I stepped a beam from high intensity spotlight partially obscuring approximately 30 heavily armed police officers. There were two armored cars on the front lawn. I was placed under arrest without incident for a FELONY!
I agreed to use a court appointed attorney (CAA) while chained to a hospital bed. It became clear at a dangerousness hearing a change in counsel was needed. During the procedure the CAA said, “I’ve never seen a case like this before”. He said that he would be out of the country when an appeal would have been filed. I spoke with an impressive up and coming former ADA but decided to go with a big-name Boston firm.
The plan became to put me on the stand after a “marathon” prep session 72 hours before the trial. Then hope for a good enough offer. That plan was not good enough in my book and the search for a more like-minded attorney was on. Mr. Peterso was the 4th lawyer paid consideration and the 5th if you count me representing myself. I represented myself to buy time to find the perfect attorney. Did I ever find that in Mr. Peterson!
A few days after Mr. Peterson joined the team, he filed motions to remove monitoring devices and gain a treasure trove of information that showed the weaknesses in the D.A.’s case. This information was instrumental at trial. While I was understandably upset, Mr. Peterson kept the strategy and a compulsive, meddling, jittery client focused. I had been told that the agreement I proffered would be impossible to get in place. “The D.A. just can’t do it” was the phrase I heard. Mr. Peterson got a very similar potential resolution on the table during a plea agreement discussion. It was fortunate for me that my face-saving for all, resolution was disregarded.
I wonder if my persecutors regretted not taking the face-saving agreement as Mr. Peterson’s cross examination began. The star witness was shown to offer nothing. The booking Sargent’s accusation that the defendant was “difficult” caused at least one incredulous look from a juror to the defendant and as couple of other smirking jurors. Mr. Peterson had rendered the false accusation of being “difficult”, via motions and deft cross examination to “Upset” and “Agitated.” The detective stated he could not recall several times including when he became a detective. The defense rested.
A jury of my peers exonerated me of all charges in less than one half hour due to Mr. Matthew Petterson’s unparallel, professional skill in law and rhetoric.
