The American Lawyer profiled the prosecution of Patrick Hallinan, accused of serving as house counsel to a marijuana smuggling ring, and indicted on charges that he insulated Ciro Mancuso's drug organization by obstructing justice and laundering profits.
Mr. Hallinan turned to John Keker for his defense, whose motions, style, mock trial, and brutal cross-examination had an enormous impact. Before Mr. Keker called a single defense witness, the judge dismissed the racketeering charges, and reduced the obstruction charges from 20 to six. The jury found that Mr. Hallinan was not guilty of all counts.