Hide Article Text (OCR)
PAGE 4 Tribune Monday_ - vFRANCISCOPeoples Temple tragedygrowingcontroversy surrounding other so-called cults has placed attorneys representing such groups at the center of a swelling storm.How much do lawyers who represent cults know abouttheir clients? Should theyreport illegal activities? Is it ethical to withhold knowledge of illegalities when a client-cult commits them?‘‘It’s hard to say what the Peoples Temple lawyers knew or didn’t know about thetookof more than 900 cult members, said law professor John Noonan, who teaches ethics atthe University of California atBerkeley.But, adds Noonan, many of these lawyers “don’t know anything because they close their eyes.’’The lawyers must operate under the same ethical standards that affect many lawyers when their client’s needs conflict with society’s — a problem inherent in a basic principle of American law: that everyone is entitled to legal representation. 'But attorneys for cults seem to be embroiled in controversy more than most lawyers. Former Temple members have leveled several accusations at the Temple’s three lawyers — Tim Stoen, Charles Garry and Mark Lane — and all three have beensubpoenaed by vai juries in San Francisco.The former Temple members say:—Stoen acted in alleged conflict of interest, while serving as both Temple attorney and San Francisco deputy district attorney in 1976. Ex-members say he used his position to harass them Stoen has been unavailable to comment on the charges.—Garry, who strongly denies any wrongdoing, allegedly advised the cult to obtain firearms, and allowed cult members to hide some of the guns in a trunk in the basement of his law offices. Garry maintains he was misled by cult members. —Lane knew about themurder-suicide drill and theimminent murder-suicideritual, but never warned anyone.According to news reports, a New York legal grievance committee has been asked tc investigate reports Lane withheld knowledge that he believed might prevent harm to Rep. Leo Ryan — who was killed on a visit to Guyana just before the mass suicide — and others.Lane said he warned Ryanthe guns or any poison,” hesaid in one interview.Dennis Donovan, a Los Angeles lawyer who helped found a group that gave freelegal advice to parents of cult members, says one dangerconfronting lawyers who represent cults is becoming too involved.“The lawyers get veryemotional, very involved Some of them sound likememberse said. ”1objectiveJones as4 4anact ofthat the visit to Guyana would they might help the groupbe viewed by cult leader Jim more.’’He adds:;! “Cult lawyerscertainly do act differently.”Others compare cultlawyers to some corporate in-house attorneys, who identifywith their client and are awareprovocation,” but did not knowthe full danger.“If I had seen them do anything illegal. I would have stopped it. I didn’t know aboutof illegal activities“The question is what kind of an obligation do you have not to represent a crazy cult?” saida San Francisco lawyer, who won a lawsuit for a cult. He declined to be identified.A lawyer has the right, but not the duty to report future crimes to authorities under American Bar Association rules. A lawyer cannot be forced to reveal confidential information from his client.Steward Forsyth, director of the California Bar’s divison of courts, said the bar’s code of ethics “sets out rock bottom minimum standards.” But he adds: “It’s often difficult for attorneys to sort out conflicting duties — to the client, on one hand, and to the courtand society, on the other.”A lawyer does have a duty to avoid lawsuits that serve only to harass or injure someone. Attorney Paul Morantz, a Synanon critic, survived a rattlesnake attack in whichchargesm members face He feels suchnuisance suits are a majorproblem. ’* ^ ,”1 think the Bar Association should investigate lawyers who adopt the harassment techniques of their clients.” he said. “I call it legal terrorism. A lawyer doesn't have the right to use the system as a monkey-wrench.” vMorantz said he feels cult lawyers often know about illegal activities.But Ralph Baker, who has represented the Hare Krishna sect and the Unification Church, disagrees “1 haven't found anything improper with the groups I represent, he said “But sometimes a client doesn't give the lawyer a complete picture. -Garry, who denies he knew guns were in the People’s Temple trunk in his office, is among those lawyers who feel duped by their clients.“Jones assured me that there was no violence going on down there,” said Garry, best known for his defense of Black Panthers. “He obviously lied to me ... I trusted them completely. A lot of things peopletalk about were nothow muchnowrelevant to me money they had and their ideas about guns. ;
Newspaper Details
Tribune
Tipton, Indiana, US
Mon, Feb 12, 1979
Page 4
Full Page
Clipped by
Martina M.
USA 02 May 2023
Other Publications Near Tipton, Indiana
Tipton County Argus
Tipton Morning Advocate
Tipton Advocate
Daily Advocate
Advance
