Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Mike Gassaway 'Not Guilty!' - Jury Sends Message to Vice and Prosecution

4/11/07 -- OKC, OK - High profile and often controversial local defense attorney Mike Gassaway was found not guilty yesterday evening by a jury in Oklahoma County. Jury swayed by evidence of a set-up by Oklahoma City vice. Readers will recall that Gassaway was charged March 7, 2006 with the misdemeanor crime of soliciting prostitution from the girlfriend of a client in exchange for a reduction in legal fees. From the onset we here at JohnTV.com have stood firm that Gassaway was the victim of overzealous vice detectives and then Oklahoma County District Attorney Wes Lane. JohnTV.com was in the courtroom every minute as the evidence and arguments were presented by the prosecution and defense. Prosecutor Sandra Elliot asserted that Gassaway was guilty of soliciting prostitution when he agreed to exchange $300 in legal services for oral sex from the girlfriend of a client. Elliot proclaimed that two audio taped conversations between Gassaway and the female police informant would clearly prove Gassaway's guilty. The defense argued the tapes told a completely different story and proved Gassaway was targeted by Oklahoma City vice. Gassaway's attorney, Scott Adams (or as we like to call him 'Super-Fly Adams') admitted to the jury that his client may have done some immoral, unprofessional and disgusting things, but they did not rise to the level of being criminal. Only three witnesses were called to testify and their testimony is summarized as follows; Christina Davidson: Davidson testified that she had hired Gassaway to defend her boyfriend (Luther Blankenship) on his fourth felony DUI. Davidson testified that Gassaway had never acted inappropriate to her until the police became involved and she solicited him. Davidson testified that after hiring Gassaway she was detained by OHP and found to be in possession of cocaine, meth and drug paraphernalia. She told the police she had heard a rumor from a friend (Marquette) that Gassaway would trade sex for legal services. Police and prosecutors elected to not pursue felony drug charges against Davidson if she would aid them in getting Gassaway arrested for a single misdemeanor. Davidson also revealed that she did not trust the police and that she in fact secretly audio taped them when she met with them. That tape allegedly showed that the police and vice officers had a bias against Gassaway and had referred to him as a "scum bag, the anti-Christ, and a bad lawyer." Police allegedly went so far as to tell Davidson she would be their "hero" if she could help them get Gassaway. Davidson testified that she actually made the offer to Gassaway to trade sex for legal services and not the other way around. Jason Hodges: Hodges was a vice officer at the time of Gassaway's arrest. Hodges testified to assisting in the arrest of Gassaway. It was during Hodges's testimony that the jury (and vice) learned Davidson had made her own audio recording of the police. Once the possibility of an audio recording was made apparent, Hodges's memory suddenly went out the window and he kept passing the buck to another officer, Chris Swanson. Christopher "Chris" Swanson: Swanson, another vice officer, probably made the biggest negative impact for the prosecution. Swanson refused to admit to anything that would even slightly cast a negative light on his investigation and arrest of Gassaway. So much so that he appeared to be lying. When Adams simply asked Swanson to acknowledge that when Davidson asked Gassaway if she could be on the "Marquette Plan" that, that meant blow jobs for legal services. Swanson actually played it off as if he had no idea what that meant and that for all he knew, Gassaway wanted her to clean his office and not sex. The jury however was unimpressed and visibly shook their heads at Swanson's refusal to be truthful. Despite a very impassioned prosecution by ADA Sandra Elliot, it is JohnTV.com's opinion that the jury could not look past the obvious bias of police and their willingness to enforce their will over enforcing the law. The jury deliberated only 30 minutes before returning a not guilty verdict. As a side note, it was refreshing to see current Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater to go over and shake the hands of the defense team and Gassaway himself. (return to JohnTV.com)

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

i knew they would find him not guilty

Anonymous said...

are they sure hes innocent. What if there are others that could change it. and prove

Brian Bates said...

"Others that could change it" - Change what? The verdict is in.

As for any others? If other crimes were committed, trust me the police and DA's office would have filed charges. Fact is they DA and police had to set him up in order to even get charges.

Anonymous said...

i already knew they would find him innocent, hes a great lawyer, thats why they had to set him up. Hes one lawyer whos not afraid to tell the courts when they are wrong or any lawenforcement. As to others, what does that mean, other crimes or other people? If crimes yes the da and police would know, if other people maybe not. Have good day.