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CBS News
29 minutes ago
- CBS News
Renowned Miami defense attorney Roy Black, who won William Kennedy Smith case, dies at 80
Prominent Miami defense lawyer Roy Black, who gained national attention by winning an acquittal in the 1991 William Kennedy Smith rape trial and was involved in scores of other high-profile cases, has died at the age of 80, his law partner said Tuesday. Black represented clients ranging from pop star Justin Bieber to race car driver Helio Castroneves. Most of the time, he was on the winning side. "For more than 30 years, Roy was my teacher, mentor and friend," said his law partner, Howard Srebnick, in an email. "The loss(es) I feel personally and professionally are immeasurable." Smith's 1991 trial became a watershed criminal defense moment when most of it was carried live on national television, famously with a blue dot obscuring the identity of the accuser on the witness stand. Smith is a nephew of former president John F. Kennedy, former Attorney General and U.S. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and former Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, who was implicated but never charged in the alleged assault of a woman in Palm Beach during a night of heavy drinking. Kennedy Smith is now a physician involved in an organization dedicated to banning land mines and treating victims of them. In Miami, Black was viewed in legal circles as the GOAT - the greatest of all time, said fellow defense attorney David O. Markus, who compared him to NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan. "He worked harder than any lawyer I know. And he outlawyered every prosecutor who he ever went up against. I will miss him. His impact on criminal defense is beyond measure," Markus said in an email. The Bieber case involved allegations of driving a Lamborghini under the influence and drag racing, though the pop star eventually pleaded guilty to lesser charges of misdemeanor careless driving and resisting arrest. Indianapolis 500 winner Castroneves was acquitted in a case involving alleged tax evasion. Over the years, Black's clients included Rush Limbaugh; "Varsity Blues" defendant Amid Khoury, who was found not guilty of rigging college admissions; and Miami police officer William Lozano, who was acquitted in the shooting death of Black motorcyclist Clement Lloyd. The latter acquittal sparked riots in Miami in 1989. Another of Black's law partners, Jackie Perczek, said she learned from him that it was a lawyer's duty to "fiercely battle the oppressors and support the underdog." "This generation and many to come stand on his shoulders," she said. Black frequently wrote articles about the law for national publications and was regularly on national television shows. He is survived by his wife, Lea, whom he met when she was a juror in the Kennedy Smith trial and who once starred in TV's "Real Housewives of Miami." They have a son, RJ, and his daughter, Nora. Funeral arrangements were not immediately announced.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Prominent Miami defense attorney Roy Black dies, represented William Kennedy Smith in rape trial
Prominent Miami defense lawyer Roy Black, who gained national attention by winning an acquittal in the 1991 William Kennedy Smith rape trial and was involved in scores of other high-profile cases, has died at the age of 80, his law partner said Tuesday. Black represented clients ranging from pop star Justin Bieber to race car driver Helio Castroneves. Most of the time, he was on the winning side. 'For more than 30 years, Roy was my teacher, mentor and friend,' said his law partner, Howard Srebnick, in an email. 'The loss(es) I feel personally and professionally are immeasurable.' Smith's 1991 trial became a watershed criminal defense moment when most of it was carried live on national television, famously with a blue dot obscuring the identity of the accuser on the witness stand. Smith is a nephew of former president John F. Kennedy, former Attorney General and U.S. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and former Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, who was implicated but never charged in the alleged assault of a woman in Palm Beach during a night of heavy drinking. Kennedy Smith is now a physician involved in an organization dedicated to banning land mines and treating victims of them. In Miami, Black was viewed in legal circles as the GOAT — the greatest of all time, said fellow defense attorney David O. Markus, who compared him to NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan. 'He worked harder than any lawyer I know. And he outlawyered every prosecutor who he ever went up against. I will miss him. His impact on criminal defense is beyond measure,' Markus said in an email. The Bieber case involved allegations of driving a Lamborghini under the influence and drag racing, though the pop star eventually pleaded guilty to lesser charges of misdemeanor careless driving and resisting arrest. Indianapolis 500 winner Castroneves was acquitted in a case involving alleged tax evasion. Over the years, Black's clients included Rush Limbaugh; 'Varsity Blues' defendant Amid Khoury, who was found not guilty of rigging college admissions; and Miami police officer William Lozano, who was acquitted in the shooting death of Black motorcyclist Clement Lloyd. The latter acquittal sparked riots in Miami in 1989. Another of Black's law partners, Jackie Perczek, said she learned from him that it was a lawyer's duty to 'fiercely battle the oppressors and support the underdog.' 'This generation and many to come stand on his shoulders,' she said. Black frequently wrote articles about the law for national publications and was regularly on national television shows. He is survived by his wife, Lea, whom he met when she was a juror in the Kennedy Smith trial and who once starred in TV's 'Real Housewives of Miami." They have a son, RJ, and his daughter, Nora. Funeral arrangements were not immediately announced.
Associated Press
2 hours ago
- Associated Press
Prominent Miami defense attorney Roy Black dies, represented William Kennedy Smith in rape trial
Prominent Miami defense lawyer Roy Black, who gained national attention by winning an acquittal in the 1991 William Kennedy Smith rape trial and was involved in scores of other high-profile cases, has died at the age of 80, his law partner said Tuesday. Black represented clients ranging from pop star Justin Bieber to race car driver Helio Castroneves. Most of the time, he was on the winning side. 'For more than 30 years, Roy was my teacher, mentor and friend,' said his law partner, Howard Srebnick, in an email. 'The loss(es) I feel personally and professionally are immeasurable.' Smith's 1991 trial became a watershed criminal defense moment when most of it was carried live on national television, famously with a blue dot obscuring the identity of the accuser on the witness stand. Smith is a nephew of former president John F. Kennedy, former Attorney General and U.S. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and former Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, who was implicated but never charged in the alleged assault of a woman in Palm Beach during a night of heavy drinking. Kennedy Smith is now a physician involved in an organization dedicated to banning land mines and treating victims of them. In Miami, Black was viewed in legal circles as the GOAT — the greatest of all time, said fellow defense attorney David O. Markus, who compared him to NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan. 'He worked harder than any lawyer I know. And he outlawyered every prosecutor who he ever went up against. I will miss him. His impact on criminal defense is beyond measure,' Markus said in an email. The Bieber case involved allegations of driving a Lamborghini under the influence and drag racing, though the pop star eventually pleaded guilty to lesser charges of misdemeanor careless driving and resisting arrest. Indianapolis 500 winner Castroneves was acquitted in a case involving alleged tax evasion. Over the years, Black's clients included Rush Limbaugh; 'Varsity Blues' defendant Amid Khoury, who was found not guilty of rigging college admissions; and Miami police officer William Lozano, who was acquitted in the shooting death of Black motorcyclist Clement Lloyd. The latter acquittal sparked riots in Miami in 1989. Another of Black's law partners, Jackie Perczek, said she learned from him that it was a lawyer's duty to 'fiercely battle the oppressors and support the underdog.' 'This generation and many to come stand on his shoulders,' she said. Black frequently wrote articles about the law for national publications and was regularly on national television shows. He is survived by his wife, Lea, whom he met when she was a juror in the Kennedy Smith trial and who once starred in TV's 'Real Housewives of Miami.' They have a son, RJ, and his daughter, Nora. Funeral arrangements were not immediately announced.
CTV News
04-07-2025
- CTV News
Orillia man pleads guilty to manslaughter in 2023 Ramara Twp. stabbing
Orillia man Christopher Scully pleaded guilty to manslaughter for the fatal stabbing of Fabian Crawford in 2023. An Orillia man has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the stabbing death of an acquaintance outside a rural Ramara Township property. Christopher Scully, 55, pleaded guilty Thursday afternoon in a Barrie courtroom to fatally stabbing Fabian Crawford, 48, following a fist-fight November 11, 2023, outside Crawford's home. Scully, was scheduled to stand trial for second-degree murder starting in January. 'He used too much force in the act of defending himself,' said defence lawyer Chris Hanson. 'It's just a mistake. It's just something that happened in the course of a fight.' As part of an Agreed Statement of Facts read to the court, Crown Attorney Katherine Cinerari said Crawford owned the property along County Road 169 near Monck Road where several men lived in neighbouring homes and trailers. Ramara Township Police believe Christopher Scully murdered Fabian Crawford at the property along County Road 169 near Monck Road in Ramara Township Nov. 11, 2023. (CTV News / Mike Arsalides) One of the tenants on the property had hired Scully to fix the cab on his red pickup truck a year earlier. When Scully arrived to work on the truck that morning, he was confronted by Crawford about having taken too long to fix the truck that was stuck on the property. That is when the court heard Crawford pushed Scully and a fight broke out between the two men. A witness said after the fighting stopped, they separated. Scully was then seen pulling out a six-inch hunting knife and stabbing Crawford once in the gut, piercing his liver. Crawford yelled for help, telling his wife he had been stabbed. The Crown said Crawford died in his wife's arms. Ramara Township Police believe Christopher Scully murdered Fabian Crawford at the property along County Road 169 near Monck Road in Ramara Township Nov. 11, 2023. One witness asked Scully why he used a knife in a fist fight, and he responded, 'I don't know.' Scully was arrested later that day and remains in custody. 'You walk around with a knife on your belt for whatever reason, it's like tap dancing on the edge of a cliff,' said Hanson. 'You don't know what's going to happen and you're putting yourself in jeopardy for something bad to happen.' The court heard Scully hid the knife in his welder's kit and left the property on foot when he was declined a ride home after the stabbing. The Crown told the court Scully discarded a different knife in the grass near the roadway. Two weeks later the knife used to kill Crawford was recovered, tested, and found to have Crawford's DNA on it. Once in custody, Scully told police he had a headache and was taken to hospital in Orillia where he was diagnosed with a concussion. Those who knew Crawford described the father of two teenage girls as a generous and kind soul, respected family man, and business owner who ran a landscaping company. 'Nobody had to lose their life. It's a tragedy that somebody did lose their life,' said Hanson. Scully's sentencing hearing is scheduled to begin in September. Christopher Scully and Fabian Crawford Christopher Scully and Fabian Crawford. (Supplied) Related Articles
CTV News
19-06-2025
- CTV News
‘It's unacceptable': Adam Drake's defence lawyer blocked from leaving court, followed
The defence lawyer for the man accused of killing battle rapper Pat Stay says he was blocked from leaving the parking lot of the Nova Scotia Supreme Court in Dartmouth and subsequently followed. Michael Lacy told Justice Scott Norton about the incident before the judge delivered his final instructions to the jury in Adam Drake's second-degree murder trial on Tuesday. Lacy said justice system participants deserve to do their jobs 'without being harassed, intimidated, physically accosted, followed away from the courthouse.' Lacy acknowledged the need for defence lawyers to have 'thick skin,' but said people are not entitled to 'physically intimidate counsel, whether it's the Crown of defence counsel, to get in their way and impede them from leaving, following them after they leave the courthouse.' 'This is the kind of thing that's happened over the last two days in this trial,' he said. 'Not once in the 28 years that I have practised, have I been subjected to that conduct and I watched Ms. (Jennifer) MacDonald be subjected to that conduct.' After eventually leaving the courthouse on Monday, Lacy said he was followed, and that fellow defence lawyer Jennifer McDonald was behind the 'thug' who was following him, calling the person 'one of the thugs from the mob of the misinformed.' He said there was video of that person 'aggressively driving' with no licence plate, following them and circling in a parking lot they ended up in, to the point where police were called. Lacy said he wanted to make it part of the court record, but it didn't impact his ability to defend Drake. He said he didn't want to become a complainant for the purpose of doing his job, but he did want to ensure the jurors weren't impacted and that they didn't see or read about what happened. 'It's unacceptable, it shouldn't happen,' Lacy said. Ultimately, after learning through video surveillance footage that jurors were not present, he decided not to ask that the judge's instructions to the jury reflect the incidents. Drake is accused of fatally stabbing Stay at a Halifax nightclub on Sept. 4, 2022. He has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder. The jury began deliberations Tuesday afternoon following a six-week trial. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
