US District Court Judge Martin Feldman’s death could present a challenge to New Orleans DA Jason Williams’ defense team according to a legal analyst.
“The government was unhappy with a number of Judge Feldman’s rulings,” said Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino. “Judge Feldman had historically been fairly strict with the government on various cases, so I'm sure that the government is not going to be upset about a reallotment.”
Ciolino told WWL that all prior rulings are the law of the case, and even with a new judge they are unlikely to change as federal judges could be considered “fungible”. That being said Ciolino said William’s defense team would have rathered the case stay with Judge Feldman.
“Fate is what it is and now they are going to have to deal with another judge,” said Ciolino. “Judge Feldman has a reputation, or had a reputation for being very tough with the government, but sometimes, many times, that was warranted, and it is going to be very interesting to see how a different judge handles it.”
