Orleans public defenders prepared to aid if Massey, Graves surrender

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — It sounds like a simple offer by New Orleans Police Department Chief Anne Kirkpatrick: peacefully surrender now and receive a public defender.

“If you want to surrender, I can tell you we have arranged for an attorney for you,” Kirkpatrick said. “We have arranged for a defense attorney for you. We have a defense attorney for you and we can have him ready for you the moment you surrender.”

According to Orleans Public Defenders Communications Director Lindsey Hortenstine, her team has already offered and agreed to be present if either of the two surrender and request a lawyer.

However, WGNO’s legal analyst Cliff Cardone questions the impact of this as the inmates would already have a right to a lawyer under the 6th Amendment.

“There’s really no incentive for him to turn himself in on the basis of her statement alone because he is entitled to right to council,” Cardone said.

Also, while Chief Kirkpatrick says she’ll be able to have an attorney ready the moment Massey or graves surrenders, Cardone argues that it might not be that fast due to the court being the entity to appoint public defendants following an arrest.

“It’s after an inquiry the court delves into whether or not someone has sufficient assets and income to provide for a private attorney. That is never pre-arranged,” Cardone said.

Overall, Cardone believes this is an attempt to make Massey and Groves feel more comfortable about turning themselves in.

“She’s probably trying to placate and let him know that this is not going to be a police intervention where we shoot it out with you. We’re going to let you turn yourself in and do this civilly and have an attorney ready to represent you,” Cardone said.

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