Shows
Killer Cross ExaminationAlan Jackson's Withdrawal From Nick Reiner’s Murder Case | Killer Cross Examination with Neil RockindIn a recent episode of his Killer Cross Examination podcast, defense attorney Neil Rockind discussed the significant news regarding Alan Jackson's withdrawal from Nick Reiner’s murder case.#neilrockind #alanjackson #nickreiner #resignation #legal #law Key Takeaways from the Discussion:The Timing: Alan Jackson officially withdrew from the case on January 7th.The Complexity of Hiring Counsel: Rockind noted that in high-profile cases like this, lawyers are often hired by family members during the initial crisis, as the accused typically lacks immediate access to funds while in custody.Strategic Deferment: Jackson’s team init...
2026-01-1215 minKiller Cross ExaminationLegal Breakdown Of The ICE Minneapolis Shooting | Killer Cross Examination with Neil RockindIn a recent episode of the Killer Cross Examination podcast, host Neil Rockind interviewed attorney Vince Colella regarding the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis on January 7, 2026.#neilrockind #crossexamination #vincecolella #civilrightslaw #injurylaw #michigan #legal #law #ice #minneapolis The discussion centers on the legality of the force used and the broader implications of federal immigration operations in local communities. Key highlights from the interview and related reports include:Controversy Over Use of Force: Colella, an expert in civil rights and police misconduct, analyzes the shooting within the context of qualified immunity and self-defense...
2026-01-1058 minKiller Cross ExaminationThe Huge Footprint Of Geoffrey Fieger | Killer Cross Examination Podcast with Neil RockindIn this episode of the Killer Cross Examination podcast, host Neil Rockind and trial consultant Samantha Teal discuss the significant impact attorney Geoffrey Fieger had on their careers and the legal world.Professional InfluenceInspiration and Intimidation: Rockind expresses his profound respect and occasional fear of Fieger, noting his unparalleled charisma and courtroom presence.Impactful Legal Career: Both guests describe Fieger as a "larger than life" figure who made a lasting impact on legal practice in Michigan and across the United States.Trial Strategy: Rockind highlights Fieger's mastery of non-verbal communication, specifically citing his cross-examination of Jenny Jones.Personal AnecdotesPublic...
2026-01-0319 minKiller Cross ExaminationHigh Stakes Litigation Consulting with Samantha Teal | Killer Cross Examination with Neil RockindIn the episode of the Killer Cross Examination podcast hosted by Neil Rockind, the guest is Samantha Teal, the founder of SMT Litigation Consulting. The discussion focuses on the critical role of strategic litigation consulting in high-stakes trials.Core Themes and InsightsThe Power of Preparation: Teal emphasizes that the foundation of a successful trial is meticulous preparation that begins long before the courtroom. This includes a "deep dive" into case files to identify strengths, weaknesses, and hidden opportunities for strategy refinement.Witness Evaluation and Preparation: A key part of the conversation likely covers her approach to witness evaluation, where...
2025-12-2951 minKiller Cross ExaminationAvoid The "Lawyer Call" During A Traffic Stop | Killer Cross Examination with Neil RockindIn this episode of the Killer Cross Examination podcast, veteran trial lawyer Neil Rockind (known as "The Rockweiler") discusses the best ways to interact with law enforcement during a traffic stop. He highlights the common mistake of calling a lawyer while being pulled over and offers practical advice for a smoother encounter.Key Takeaways from the EpisodeAvoid the "Lawyer Call": Rockind advises against calling your attorney during the stop. He explains that he cannot "teleport" to the scene or magically produce a missing license or registration for you.Be Present and Visible: Drivers should stay "in the moment" and...
2025-12-2206 minKiller Cross ExaminationNeil Speaks On The Nick Reiner Case | Killer Cross Examination with Neil RockindIn the Killer Cross Examination podcast, host Neil Rockind (often referred to as "The Rockweiler") provides a legal analysis of the shocking and tragic Nick Reiner case.The discussion centers on the devastating reports from December 2025, where Nick Reiner, the son of legendary filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer, was arrested and charged with their murders.About Neil Rockind - Neil Rockind is a trial lawyer. Neil Rockind is often considered a bet the farm/company type of lawyer, taking on cases where the stakes are “all in.” Neil Rockind appears regularly on television and in the news...
2025-12-1808 minKiller Cross ExaminationInjury and Civil Rights Cases with Vince Colella | Killer Cross Examination with Neil RockindIn this episode of Killer Cross Examination, host Neil Rockind sits down with A. Vince Colella from Moss & Colella Law Firm. Respected by lawyers and judges as an aggressive, skillful, and powerful trial lawyer, and by his clients as a compassionate and relentless advocate, A. Vince Colella is a founding partner of Moss & Colella, P.C., a Southfield, Michigan-based law firm that specializes in personal injury trial law and civil rights. Vince and his law firm co-founder David Moss have obtained millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for their clients. For more than two decades, Vince has tried...
2025-12-1639 minKiller Cross ExaminationPolice Questioning, Interrogation, and Manipulation | Killer Cross Examination with Neil RockindIn this episode of Killer Cross Examination, host Neil Rockind sits down with Colin Daniels, a criminal defense attorney at Rockind Law, for a candid and revealing conversation about what really happens during police encounters. Daniels breaks down the psychology of police contact, the high-pressure nature of interrogations, and the subtle—and not-so-subtle—manipulation tactics officers use to elicit statements. Throughout the discussion, he delivers a clear and unwavering message: never speak to the police without a lawyer present. Daniels emphasizes that even innocent people can be tripped up by interrogation strategies, and urges viewers to immediately ask for an a...
2025-12-1106 minKiller Cross ExaminationTony Buzbee Is As AdvertisedTony Buzbee is a compelling, impressive and dominating trial lawyer. A few seconds into watching him cross examine or argue in court or even in a conversation, one can tell that he is a winner, plays to win and to borrow from a too often used phrase, walks the walk. Fresh off his successful defense of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the Paxton Impeachment Trial, Buzbee is our guest on the Killer Cross Examination Podcast.
Buzbee embodies the spirit of Killer Cross Examination. His cross examination of witnesses who testified against Ken Paxton is the stuff of legends. He...
2023-11-2259 minKiller Cross ExaminationDeandra Grant, “The Texas DWI Gal”Deandra Grant, the Texas lawyer who is an expert in scientific evidence, is often referred to as “the lawyer lawyer’s call” when they need criminal defense help and assistance. Deandra Grant joins Neil Rockind on this episode of the top rated Killer Cross Examination Podcast.
Deandra Grant is a criminal defense lawyer who specializes in intoxicated-related offenses and with assisting other attorneys with cases in which intoxication may be an issue. She is the co-author of the Texas DWI Manual and a member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and the American Chemical Society. She has a master...
2023-10-201h 09Killer Cross ExaminationCanadian Killer Cross with Joseph Neuberger(TW: This episode contains language regarding sexual assault that some may find uncomfortable.)
This week's guest on Killer Cross Examination takes us on a journey into the life of a Canadian criminal defense attorney, and ultimately what that experience has meant for him. This week's guest on Killer Cross Examination takes us on a journey into the life of a Canadian criminal defense attorney, and ultimately what that experience has meant for him. Joseph Neuberger is our guest. Neuberger is one of Ontario’s most prominent and well-known criminal defense lawyers. Prior to the podcast, I knew little about Neuberger an...
2023-09-0648 minKiller Cross ExaminationBehind The Scenes With Mark Eiglarsh, Attorney For Scot Peterson
My guest is Mark Eiglarsh. Mark Eiglarsh is a criminal defense lawyer, television analyst out of Florida. Eiglarsh is a regular, television commentator and analyst regularly appearing on CNN, Fox News and Court TV. He was a nightly fixture on the Dr. Drew show on CNN Headline News following and covering the Jodi Arias murder trial. The massacre at Rosemary Stoneman Douglas High School was fresh in the minds, eyes and hearts of so many when stories about school resource officer Scot Peterson began to unfold. At the time of the shooting, Peterson was the school’s law enforcement re...
2023-08-071h 00Killer Cross ExaminationMarc Shiner Does Killer CrossMarc Shiner is our guest for this week's Killer Cross Examination Podcast episode. I go behind the scenes of the Travis Rudolph murder case, the former Florida State University Football star who shiner defended in a Florida courtroom. Marc Shiner obtained an acquittal on all counts for Travis Rudolph. The case was highly publicized and not without fireworks: Shiner went after lead detective Emily Vander-Laan over her investigation. Shiner’s style of cross examination and in particular his cross examination of Vander-Laan is unconventional but incredibly effective. Shiner engages in a physical style of cross examination that really challenges the wi...
2023-07-2153 minKiller Cross ExaminationDaniel Callahan has a bigger verdict than you, I promise.Throughout his career, Daniel J. Callahan has always been known as one of the top trial attorneys in California. His notable jury verdicts included a $934,000,000 jury verdict obtained after a three-month jury trial in a complex business dispute entitled Beckman Coulter vs. Flextronics. This unanimous verdict was the largest in California in 2003 and remains the largest in Orange County history.
Mr. Callahan also went on to obtain a $50,000,000 settlement in a road design case against the City of Dana Point. Exclusive of large class actions, this continues to be the largest personal injury settlement in United States history.
Mr...
2023-05-241h 02Killer Cross ExaminationVadim Glozman: Surviving And Thriving After The R Kelly TrialVadim Glozman is one of Chicago’s brightest and most trusted criminal defense lawyers. Despite the media frenzy surrounding the R Kelly case in Chicago, Illinois, Glozman chose to represent R Kelly’s manager, Derrel McDavid. Glozman won acquittals for McDavid on every count while the musician was convicted on many. Fresh off of his victory in court, Glozman shared his strategies, approaches, path to victory, style and more on the Killer Cross Examination® Podcast. Glozman joins other heavy hitting lawyers to share their careers and approaches to criminal and civil defense on the podcast.
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About Neil Rockind - Neil Rocki...
2023-04-1759 minKiller Cross ExaminationJosh Ritter, LA Lawyer & True Crime Daily-Sidebar HostJosh is a California criminal defense lawyer who is also the host of the True Crime Daily - Sidebar podcast. He worked closely with Alan Jackson on the Phil Spector / Lana Clarkson murder case while in the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Josh and I discussed various cases including the sovereign citizen defense put on by in pro per Darrel Brooks in the Wisconsin Christmas Parade Massacre, Camille Vasquez’s cross examination of Amber Heard in Depp v Heard and the conduct of the judge in the Nicholas Cruz sentencing phase towards Cruz’s lawyers. This is an incred...
2023-02-161h 10Killer Cross ExaminationAlex Jones Lawyer Norm Pattis Discusses Sandy Hook Billion Dollar LawsuitNorm Pattis is one of the most well known and recognized trial lawyers in Connecticut. Pattis is no stranger to controversy, having participated in the defense of at least one J6 defendant so it came as no surprise that he got involved in the defense of online provocateur and extremist Alex Jones in the Sandy Hook Defamation Trial in Connecticut. Jones was found liable and ordered to pay hundreds of millions of dollars. Norm Pattis sparred with the Koskoff lawyers, Chris Mattie, the judge, a courtroom of victims and survivors and intense media coverage - not to mention having t...
2022-12-061h 17Killer Cross ExaminationJOSE BAEZ | Casey Anthony & Aaron Hernandez Defense AttorneyJose Baez the masterful criminal defense lawyer who engineered acquittals in Aaron Hernandez’s murder case, Casey Anthony’s murder trial, William Husel’s murder case, is a household name. His exploits in the courtroom and in high profile cases is right up there with F. Lee Bailey, Thomas Mesereau, Mark Geragos, Mark O’Mara, Rex Parris, Linda Kenney Baden, Diane Menashe and others. No #truecrime or trial lawyer focused podcast would be complete without Jose Baez. Jose Baez joins Neil Rockind, The Rockweiler, on this episode of the Killer Cross Examination Podcast.
Do you want to more about the Aaron He...
2022-11-171h 05Killer Cross ExaminationVen Johnson a.k.a Ven FightsVen Johnson the venerable civil rights, plaintiff’s injury and high profile lawyer, joins Neil Rockind on this episode of the Killer Cross Examination Podcast. The episode is electric. Ven, whose nickname is the Fighter and Ven Fights, and Neil Rockind, the Rockweiler, discuss Ven Johnson’s career, Ben Crump, Geoffrey Fieger, Patrick Layoya, the Flint Water Class Action Case, the Midland Flood Case, the Oxford High School Shooting Case and a whopping $100,000,000 (100 Million Dollar) verdict Ven Johnson got from a Georgia jury for his client, Jessie Blassingame in Georgia this year.
Some highlights: Ven Johnson reveals how he prepares for c...
2022-10-201h 09Killer Cross ExaminationKevin Dietz: Veteran Journalist & Newsman | Killer Cross ExaminationNeil Rockind interviews Kevin Dietz, veteran journalist, newsman, television and radio personality in Michigan. He is also the current host of All Talk on WJR-760 Radio with Tom Jordan. Kevin has broke story after story, from going undercover in Texas during former Kramer Kilpatrick’s probation, uncovering the video in the Floyd Dent beating by a Inkster Police Officer and more. Dietz shares his opinion on the impact on news coverage of trials, cameras in the courtroom, the differences between the news now and then and the important role that the news plays in covering the justice system.
From Nancy Kerriga...
2022-09-2850 min
Killer Cross ExaminationJohn Marko, The $11,670,128.33 Dollar ManIf Steve Austin was the $6,000,000 Man, Detroit Trial Lawyer John Marko is the $11,670,128.33 Man. Want to know why? Watch this episode of the Killer Cross Examination Podcast in which the host of the podcast, Neil Rockind aka “The Rockweiler”, goes one on one with Marko. John Marko is prodigious trial lawyer having worked with some of the top trial lawyers in Michigan and across the country. He has worked with Ven Johnson, Geoffrey Fieger and teaches trial skills and trial tactics at Trial Lawyers University (TLU) alongside other great trial lawyers, Rex Parris, Brian Panish, Ben Crump, Zoe Littlepage, Keith Mit...
2022-09-0256 minKiller Cross ExaminationBulletproof: The King Of The South, Florida Lawyer John PhillipsSome lawyers were meant to handle high stakes, high pressure cases. And then there is John Phillips, the legendary Florida lawyer. He takes on the toughest, most high pressure cases imaginable, e.g., litigation on behalf of Omarosa Manigault (from the Apprentice TV Show and who worked for the 45th President Donald Trump) against former President Trump, representing Abigail Disney (the heir to the Disney empire), defending rappers and even defending The Tiger King aka Joe Exotic and appearing on the Netflix series about Joe Exotic to name just a few. Phillips is much more than the sum of tho...
2022-08-091h 18
The Litigation War RoomKiller Cross-Examination with Neil RockindOn this episode, Maxwell Goss speaks with prominent criminal defense attorney Neil Rockind. Neil talks about his victory in securing the acquittal of an individual charged with reckless driving following the highly publicized tragic death of a police officer. Neil shares insights on many aspects of trial practice, including the importance of humanizing the defendant, dealing with public scrutiny in high-profile cases, and how cross-examination can make or break your case.----------00:18 - Introduction01:57 - About Neil Rockind and his law practice03:43 – Some of Neil's high-profile cases05:10 – Oxford school case07:37 – "Killer" cross-examination11:33 – Learning effective cross-examination16:32 – People vs. Charle...
2022-07-2644 min
Killer Cross ExaminationRobert Blake's Lawyer, M. Gerald Schwartzbach, Talks About The Baretta Star, His Career & MoreRobert Blake, the Baretta and Little Rascals actor, was one of Hollywood's most iconic actors and figures. He was charged in the murder of his wife, Bonnie Lee Bakely. Gerald Schawartzbach was his lawyer. Blake was acquitted and Schwartzbach, who has been invovled in some of the biggest criminal cases, and perhaps the first known acquittal using a Battered Spouse defense , talks with me about his career, his book, Blake, his hippie days and more.
www.killercrossexamination.com
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Neil Rockind is the host of the Killer Cross Examination podcast. Rockind is nicknamed "The Rockweiler" and has obtained high profile acquittals and...
2022-07-011h 16Killer Cross ExaminationThe Kyle Rittenhouse Acquittal: Behind The Scenes with His Lead Lawyer Mark RichardsNeil Rockind dives into one of the most prolific cases in recent history with Mark Richards, Rittenhouse's lead attorney. You'll hear about the reactions of the public, about Rittenhouse's original lawyers, how Richards got involved and more. You'll learn why Rittenhouse testified and about what the lawyers learned about the deliberations.
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Neil Rockind is a trial lawyer, appears regularly on television and in the news, defends people in serious court cases, is a regular guest on the Law and Crime Network and also discuss popular trials and cases and current events with other tops lawyers aro...
2022-06-171h 21Killer Cross ExaminationWilliam Husel Acquittal: Behind the Scenes with the One and Only Diane MenasheNeil Rockind interviews Rockstar Capital Case Attorney Diane Menashe. The two discuss Diane's recent acquittal in the William Husel case, their stories of entering the field of law, and even show off their newfound friendship.
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Neil Rockind is a trial lawyer, appears regularly on television and in the news, defends people in serious court cases, is a regular guest on the Law and Crime Network and also discuss popular trials and cases and current events with other tops lawyers around the country. His nickname is "The Rockweiler" and he's known for his cross examination style. The...
2022-06-161h 20Killer Cross ExaminationKyle Rittenhouse Acquittal: Behind The Scenes with Lawyer Mark RichardsNeil Rockind dives into one of the most prolific cases in recent history with Mark Richards, Rittenhouse's attorney. ***************************************************************************** Neil Rockind is a trial lawyer, appears regularly on television and in the news, defends people in serious court cases, is a regular guest on the Law and Crime Network and also discuss popular trials and cases and current events with other tops lawyers around the country. His nickname is "The Rockweiler" and he's known for his cross examination style. The contents are under fair use. It may contain copyrighted materials whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We use...
2022-05-191h 21Killer Cross ExaminationDream Team, Part 3: A Deep Dive With OJ Simpson Lawyer And Johnnie Cochran Protege Carl DouglasIf you listened to Dream Team member, Carl Douglas, relive the Glove Incident and testimony, this is the full interview with him on the Killer Cross Examination Podcast. It is long but Carl had a front row seat to history and relishes in his role in that case and working with Cochran. The Dream Team. The members and lawyers that took part in the defense of OJ Simpson are legendary. The made history. This is the third interview that Neil Rockind has conducted with a member of the Dream Team: F Lee Bailey, Alan Dershowitz and now Carl Douglas...
2022-04-261h 06Killer Cross ExaminationOne Of OJ's Dream Team Lawyers Relives The "Try On The Glove" Moment - An Excerpt Of The Killer Cross Examination Interview With Carl DouglasThe Dream Team obtained the biggest acquittal in history. OJ Simpson, the actor and football legend, was acquitted in the murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. Who could forget the "If The Glove Doesn't Fit, You Must Acquit" and the failed glove demonstration that led to that rhyme, the closing arguments and acquittal?
Carl Douglas, one of the remaining members of the Dream Team, takes us back to that moment in history and tells us what it was like. This is chilling and amazing. This is a snippet of an interview with Carl...
2022-04-2501 minKiller Cross ExaminationOxford High School Shooting - Enough Is Enough w/ Civil Rights Lawyer Vince ColellaSchool shootings. The fact that we are even discussing it is a disgusting sign of the times. Oxford High School is just the latest school to be the site of a massacre. Ethan Crumbley is charged with murder for his role in the Oxford High School Massacre. Ethan's parents are charged with manslaughter. But what about the schools, school officials, districts, etc? Schools are less safe than an airport for crying out loud and we've had enough. What policies and laws are preventing us from holding schools, districts and administrations from being held accountable? Civil rights lawyer Vince Colella w...
2022-01-1414 minKiller Cross ExaminationRobert Durst Dies - The Jinx ContinuesRobert Durst is dead. I’ve spent a lot of time discussing Robert Durst, his life, his trials and his convictions. He died while his conviction for killing Susan Berman is in appeal. What it means….
2022-01-1104 minKiller Cross ExaminationBest of Killer Cross Examination Podcast 2021“You can’t handle the truth”, the famous response elicited from fictional Lt Colonel Nathan Jessup on cross examination by the character played by Tom Cruise to this day remains the quintessential “gotcha” moment in a trial. A cross examination so good that it broke the witness, cracked the case and freed the accused. Popular shows, documentaries, movies and docudramas all focus on this type of cross examination moment - moments created by the dynamic exchange between lawyers and witnesses.
In 2021, my podcast the Killer Cross Examination Podcast, featured some of the best, most well known and iconic lawyers in the countr...
2021-12-3121 minKiller Cross ExaminationDetroit's Very Own Steve Fishman Does Killer CrossThis is a one of a kind podcast episode. Steve Fishman is a one of a kind trial attorney. Fishman has won some of the biggest verdicts in Michigan. He and I have handled and tried cases together and in this podcast episode, Steve Fishman and I share stories from some of the cases that we've handled together and more. Who is Steve Fishman? Some know him from his days playing basketball at the University of Michigan alongside Rudy Tomjanovich. Others from his "Mumford High School" days. He is a Detroit, Michigan legend. Steve Fishman’s client roster reads like a...
2021-12-151h 10Killer Cross ExaminationJoey Jackson Does Killer Cross!Joey Jackson is one the country's most recognized legal analysts and commentators. He has covered some of the most prominent and significant trials in recent memory including the trials of Bill Cosby, Kyle Rittenhouse, the men who killed Ahmad Aubrey and the ins and outs of the investigation into the murder of Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie. He was a nightly fixture on television during the Jodi Arias trial on the Dr. Drew Show, Headline News and HLN-After Dark. But he can do more than talk the talk, he can walk the walk. He is a fantastic lawyer in his own...
2021-12-011h 03Killer Cross ExaminationKyle Rittenhouse Judge Bruce Schroeder - My ThoughtsBefore the Kyle Rittenhouse trial, few outside of Wisconsin knew or had even heard of Judge Bruce Schroeder. Now, nearly everyone does and it seems that they all have an opinion about him. From explaining the reasoning for his rulings, yelling at the prosecutors, making bizarre comments and at times demeaning statements, e.g., his “Asian food” comment, Judge Schroeder has turned much of the attention towards him. I’m not here to talk about his rulings, the quality of the the lawyering or Rittenhouse’s guilt (we’ll have time to break that down later) but rather about the Judge’s...
2021-11-1741 minKiller Cross ExaminationDarryl Goldberg (The Mule's Lawyer) Does Killer Cross!He defended the real life “Mule”, the subject of the movie starring Clint Eastwood and Bradley Cooper and directed by Clint Eastwood, represented Drew Peterson, the former police officer charged with murdering one of his wives and took part in the “Family Secrets” case in which characters and scenes in the movie Casino, starring Robert DeNiro and Joe Pesci, were loosely based and he’s here to share his stories and approach to trials. Darryl Goldberg Does Killer Cross!
2021-11-031h 10Killer Cross ExaminationSarah Swain AKA "Wonder Woman" Does Killer CrossI bet you didn’t know that Wonder Woman lives in Kansas. Well, she does. Swain is nicknamed “Wonder Woman” and her firm is often referred to as “the Swain Train”. The Rockweiler meets Wonder Woman. This is an incredible episode.
For all of you progressives and for whose who wonder if it is different for a woman, listen to this episode. Swain is a maverick. In the heart of the Midwest, Kansas, Swain’s motto is “F— the Patriarchy” and she means it! She ran for Attorney General and wasn’t supported by either party. When asked who she’d like to...
2021-10-201h 27Killer Cross ExaminationMaking A Murderer’s Dean Strang Does Killer Cross!Making A Murderer, the Netflix Documentary Series, captured the attention of tends of millions. The series followed the prosecution of Steve Avery and Brendan Dassey for the murder of Teresa Halback. Dean Strang defended Steve Avery and he takes us behind the scenes, tells us what it was like making the show, his reaction to the verdict, his style in the courtroom and his favorite cross examination story (it involves Wayne Newton, the venerable Las Vegas entertainer). He discusses how he became a lawyer, what he did before becoming a lawyer, how he ended up in criminal defense and how...
2021-10-061h 30Killer Cross ExaminationAlan Dershowitz Does Killer CrossAlan Dershowitz Does Killer Cross. He needs no introduction. A participant in some of the biggest cases in history, e.g., Mike Tyson, Patty Hearst, Leona Helmsley, Michael Milken, Reverend Jim Bakker, Claus von Bulow, OJ Simpson, Jeff Epstein and Donald Trump, Dershowitz is one of the most significant lawyers, authors, commentators and scholars in American legal history. Dershowitz joins Neil Rockind to discuss his career, his first case, his favorite cross examination, the best cross examiner he has ever seen, his opinion of Johnnie Cochran and F. Lee Bailey, and his legacy, including what cases he believes he wi...
2021-09-2241 minKiller Cross ExaminationLinda Kenney Baden Does Killer Cross! She Defended Phil Spector, Casey Anthony And MoreLinda Kenney Baden has defended or taken part in the defense of Phil Spector, Jayson Williams, Casey Anthony, Michael Skakel and Aaron Hernandez, to name a few. If you have read about a high profile case in which someone was acquitted and the case involved forensic evidence, there is a good chance that Linda Kenney Baden was involved. But her defense of Phil Spector, the music industry icon, in his trial for the murder of Lana Clarkson, is one of the things that she will be most remembered for by the public. She was portrayed by Academy Award winning actress H...
2021-09-091h 25Killer Cross ExaminationBonus, Special Episode - Shocking New Information Regarding Breathalyzers and Breath TestsThis 26 minutes could change your life. I'm not kidding. We have shocking new information and evidence regarding breath tests and breathalyzers that you need to know and that we just obtained. This will shock the legal system, the prosecutors, the police, the judges and probation officers. How do I know? Watch and listen.
2021-08-2926 minKiller Cross ExaminationJack Zimmermann Does Killer Cross!Jack Zimmermann is a true American hero. Zimmermann proudly admits to taking on the hardest, toughest cases and causes. He’s fought in war, defended soldiers wrongly accused in court martial cases, tried some of the toughest cases in Texas, freed people from death row and even got involved in the Branch Davidian David Koresh controversy in WACO and testified before Congress. Zimmermann is a true legend. A former partner of the legendary Racehorse Haynes, he joins me to tell us about his life and career on this episode of Killer Cross Examination.
2021-08-261h 09Killer Cross ExaminationAnne Bremner Does Killer Cross!A whopping verdict of 98 million against the State of Washington for negligence in the deaths of the Powell children, one of the most tragic and followed cases in the history of that state. It wasn’t magic but she did represent one of the great magicians of all time, David Copperfield. Anne Bremner is an award winning trial lawyer, one of the nation’s most recognized legal analysts and a Court TV regular. She tells all on this episode of the Killer Cross Examination Podcast.
2021-08-1243 minKiller Cross ExaminationTom Mesereau Does Killer Cross!What’s it like to win the biggest acquittal for the biggest star ever? Tom Mesereau knows. He defended the King of Pop Michael Jackson, Iron Mike Tyson, Robert Blake and Bill Cosby and … he’s here! If you ever wanted the behind the scenes take from the man himself and to hear some never before heard of stories from the Jackson trial, don’t miss this episode!
2021-07-291h 05Killer Cross ExaminationRex Parris Does Killer Cross!From an 18 year old facing jail to winning a record setting 9 figure defamation verdict. Want to know how he did it? Want to learn his techniques? You can. You need to hear his story.
2021-07-141h 35Killer Cross ExaminationDavid Rudolf and Sonya Pfeiffer Do Killer Cross!Few lawyers have tried 1 high profile case on TV, let alone two - and one that was covered by Netflix! Want to get behind the scenes of The Staircase, the Netflix documentary series about the prosecution and defense of novelist Michael Peterson who was charged with murder? Did you know his lawyer, David Rudolf, also defended NFL star Rae Carruth in a capital case? Rudolf is a legendary lawyer who now practices with his wife, Sonya Pfeiffer, and they host a podcast called Abuse of Power. I’ve got em both on Killer Cross Examination.
2021-07-0746 minKiller Cross ExaminationYale Galanter Has Defended OJ and Charlie Sheen - He Shares His Stories And TipsWant to know what Charlie Sheen, Brooke Mueller and OJ Simpson have in common? Want to know how to win trials? Pick a jury with OJ Simpson as your client AFTER he was acquitted of a double murder? Get behind the scenes at Court TV with someone who knows Nancy Grace and who knew Johnnie Cochran? Meet Yale Galanter, one of the country’s most celebrated lawyers. He’s my guest on the Killer Cross Examination Podcast.
2021-06-301h 00Killer Cross ExaminationA Devastating Cross Examination By The Robert Durst Prosecutor - A Killer Cross ExaminationEver wondered what sets some lawyers apart? Creativity and ingenuity are among those qualities along with an ability to read the room and execute. In this episode, John Lewan uses an unconventional approach to destroy a witness’ credibility. It is fascinating and I break it down in this segment. If you love courtroom drama, this episode is for you.
If you’re a young lawyer, you can learn a lot from this segment. Let me know what you think??!! What do you think about this approach?
2021-06-2348 minKiller Cross ExaminationJames Trainum, Expert In False Confessions and Police Interrogation, Does Killler Cross!Have you ever admitted to something you didn't do just to get out of an emotionally difficult situation or moment? Most of us have. If so, you've experienced how false confessions occur. Did you know that 25% of all wrongful convictions involve false confessions? Do you know how to spot one? Do you you think you're immune from making a false confession or how to protect yourself from being the subject of one? They happen. A lot. James Trainum, a former detective with the Washington D.C. Police Department, is my guest and he’s an expert in police interrogation techniques an...
2021-06-141h 08
Killer Cross ExaminationIn Memory Of F. Lee Bailey (June 10, 1933 - June 3, 2021) - A Replay Of My Interview, Perhaps His Last Before His PassingIN MEMORY OF F. LEE BAILEY
(June 10, 1933 - June 3, 2021)
I was fascinated with his career, his swagger and combative style for as long as I can remember. How couldn’t I be? He dropped out of law school but yet still became a lawyer and among his first cases was the appeal, defense and acquittal of Dr. Sam Shepard, the doctor who was wrongly convicted of killing his wife whose story was the loose basis for the movie, The Fugitive. From early on, F. Lee Bailey, walked with a heavy foot leaving an impression in the leg...
2021-06-091h 18Killer Cross ExaminationThe Robert Durst Trial- Part 2- Losing the Battle With A WitnessDick Deguerin is a legendary Texas criminal defense lawyer yet I’ve watched some of the Robert Durst Trial in which Deguerin represents the millionaire heir with some puzzlement and bewilderment. In this segment, I focus on a particularly difficult witness and the beginning of Deguerin’s cross examination as examples of, in my opinion, “what not to do.”
Too many notes, disorganized materials at the podium, non leading questions and gilding the Lily (something I’ve discussed previously on the podcast) get Deguerin behind the witness in this battle. I’ve always maintained and still do to this momen...
2021-06-021h 02Killer Cross ExaminationThe Robert Durst Trial- Analyzed by Neil RockindRobert Durst is on trial for the murder of his friend, Susan Berman. Durst was also accused of murdering and dismembering Morris Black in Texas. And Robert Durst is suspected to be the cause of his wife, Kathy Durst’s disappearance, in the 70’s. Three people close to him - wife, best friend and roommate — dead or missing. If the case sounds familiar to you that is because it should. Robert Durst is multimillionaire heir to a real estate empire in New York City whose life has been covered repeatedly in the news and in pop art: the disappearance of his wife...
2021-05-2655 minKiller Cross ExaminationSetting the TrapIn 2017, I obtained acquittals for Charles Warren in the a motor vehicle homicide case in which he was accused of causing the death of a Michigan State Trooper. From the incident, through the investigation and from gavel to gavel, the case was intensely covered by the media. The trial was live-streamed, covered by social media sites, televised and discussed in the news. The deceased was a state trooper and the investigating agency was the Michigan State Police. We saw an opening to establish that the investigation was biased. In this episode of Killer Cross Examination, I break down how I con...
2021-05-1951 minKiller Cross ExaminationROGER DODD Does Killer Cross!Roger Dodd is here. Roger Dodd is here. Roger Dodd is here!!!
Roger Dodd literally wrote the book on cross examination. There are three (3) textbooks/books on Cross Examination that every serious trial lawyer has read or has in their library: 1) Francis Wellman’s “The Art of Cross Examination”, 2) The 10 Commandments of Cross Examination by Irving Younger and 3) Cross Examination: Science and Techniques by Larry Pozner and Roger Dodd. The last, in its 3rd edition, is considered the modern-day “bible”, the definitive “how to” cross examination book in the legal field. So accomplished and acknowledged is Roger Dodd as an instructor on cross...
2021-05-121h 04Killer Cross ExaminationMark O'Mara Does Killer Cross!In July, 2013, one of the most followed and publicized criminal trials finished with a two word verdict that reverberated throughout the country. George Zimmerman, who was charged and tried in the killing of Trayvon Martin, was acquitted. His lead counsel, Mark O'Mara, became a household name. I go on one on one with Mark O'Mara during this episode of Killer Cross Examination.
This is an incredible interview - one you do not want to miss. O'Mara shares with me the moment that was approached to represent Zimmerman, what he thought about Zimmerman based on the news coverage and what he disc...
2021-05-051h 07Killer Cross ExaminationOne on One with Trial Attorney Norm PattisConnecticut Magazine called Norm Pattis, the Connecticut civil rights and criminal defense lawyer, the Defender of the Despised. It is a mantle he wears proudly. If you read about a criminal case in Connecticut, there is a good chance that Pattis represents the client, passed on the case or is in talks to take it over. His clients include Alex Jones, the controversial conservative firebrand and host of Infowars. Pattis is my guest on this week's episode of Killer Cross Examination.
I'm still reeling from the amount of information that Pattis shared with me during this episode. Patti...
2021-04-211h 04Killer Cross ExaminationOne on One with Civil Rights Attorney Lisa BloomIf you want to hear how one of America’s best and most visible trial lawyers does her business, you want to listen to this episode. Do not miss this episode.
This week, I go one on one with a former Court TV host and high profile civil rights lawyer, Lisa Bloom. While Lisa is the daughter of one of America’s most successful and committed civil rights lawyers, Gloria Allred, Lisa has made her own mark in her career and is no stranger to the spotlight. She has represented individuals and plaintiffs against comedian Bill Cosby, Fox Hos...
2021-04-1456 minKiller Cross ExaminationOne on One with Michigan’s Attorney General- Dana NesselOn this episode of Killer Cross Examination, I go one on one with Michigan’s Attorney General Dana Nessel. Many don’t know that Dana began her career in the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office and quickly developed a reputation as a firebrand courtroom prosecutor. In this episode, she shares her style in the courtroom, how she used her humor and sarcasm, how she prepared for court and how she found her voice. She shares meaningful cross examination stores about being so eager to begin question an adverse witness that she was jumping out of the chair and how on two (2...
2021-04-071h 01Killer Cross ExaminationMark Geragos Does Killer Cross!What do Michael Jackson, Winona Ryder, Chris Brown, Colin Kaepernick, Susan McDougal and Scott Peterson all have in common? All were at one time or another defended by Mark Geragos, the legendary lawyer from Los Angeles, California. I go one-on-one with Geragos during this episode of the Killer Cross Examination Podcast and Geragos delivers.
He discusses his courtroom style, his use of humor and the way that he attempts to turn all witnesses into defense witnesses. He shares his experiences in the trenches and talks in intimate detail about the Scott Peterson trial, his defense of Whitewater figure Susan McDougall...
2021-03-3141 min
Killer Cross ExaminationF. LEE BAILEY Does Killer Cross!In the history of criminal defense and trial lawyers, there are only a few, who become household names. F. Lee Bailey is one of those lawyers. At various times in his life, he was considered America's go-to lawyer. He has been involved in several so-called "Trial's of the Century". His clients include:
Sam Shepherd, the wrongly convicted doctor that was the basis for the movie and tv show, The Fugitive;
Boston Strangler;
Patricia Hearst, the daughter of the one of America’s richest families who was kidnapped and then joined the SLA, Symbionese Liberation Army;
George Edgerly, the first polygraph def...
2021-03-241h 18Killer Cross ExaminationJeffrey Lichtman Does Killer across - Part 2Join us for Part 2 of our Killer Cross Examination Podcast as I go one on one with Jeffrey Lichtman, Esq, the El Chapo's and John Gotti's criminal defense lawyer. You don't want to miss this. The interview has been described as "two sharks on a zoom". A little about our guest -
If you've been in trouble in New York, know someone who has been in trouble in New York or followed the trials of El Chapo (yes that El Chapo) or John Gotti, Jr. (yes that John Gotti, Jr) than you know our guest, Jeffrey Lichtman. Lichtman is perhaps New...
2021-03-1732 min
The Best of The Best PodcastEPISODE 28 - EVERYTHING CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAW ft. Neil Rockind (Owner of Rockind Law/Podcaster)This is Episode 28 of "The Best of The Best: Maverick's Guide To Success" the host Maverick Levy is joined by Neil Rockind (Owner of Rockind Law/Podcaster) to discuss: Where he grew up, where he went to college, ADD/ADHD, underdogs, finding your calling, how he sleeps at night, what made him want to become a criminal trial defense lawyer, starting out as a prosecutor, if you're pulled over & recording the police with cell phones, how criminal law was 10 years ago versus today is brought up, "innocent until proven guilty", what it's like trying to find a job with a...
2021-03-1059 minKiller Cross ExaminationJeffrey Lichtman Does Killer Cross - Part 2Join us for Part 1 of our Killer Cross Examination Podcast as I go one on one with Jeffrey Lichtman, Esq, the El Chapo's and John Gotti's criminal defense lawyer. You don't want to miss this. The interview has been described as "two sharks on a zoom". A little about our guest -
If you've been in trouble in New York, know someone who has been in trouble in New York or followed the trials of El Chapo (yes that El Chapo) or John Gotti, Jr. (yes that John Gotti, Jr) than you know our guest, Jeffrey Lichtman. Lichtman is perhaps New...
2021-03-1036 minKiller Cross ExaminationMy Story, Part 1As a child, I was labeled a “bad kid.” I had ADHD before anyone had really considered it an ailment. But people want to know more about how I got here … to this point and a part of that story is how I came to relate and empathize with the little guy, the outcast and you can’t understand that part of me without knowing about my youth.
I’ve said that defending the little guy is in my genes, my blood and in my DNA. People have asked how did I get here? How did I become an...
2021-02-2440 minKiller Cross ExaminationHanging JudgesWe’ve all heard the stories about the tough judges, the judges who view themselves as hard-asses. Lawyers traveling to other towns always ask, “tell me about the judge” because we want to know if the judge is tough or has developed a reputation for being a “hanging judge”. They have no place in today’s legal system but they exist and because of their impact in the lives of the accused before them, I take them on during this episode. We subject this style of judge to killer cross examination.
2021-02-1752 minKiller Cross ExaminationProverbs 18:17The first to state his case seems right, until another comes and examines him.
They biblical phrase describes trials, direct examination and cross examination in some ways better than any book or pamphlet. Witnesses take the stand and on direct examination and “seem right”. They seem right, believable and convincing. Then the challenge to their story comes in … we challenge their story. We provide the counterweight. When done, the witness no longer seems right.
I take you through a recent case, a probation violation hearing, where Proverbs 18:17 came to life. I walk you through how the prosecu...
2021-02-1037 minKiller Cross ExaminationKiller Cross Examination Takes On RobinhoodRobinhood. Vlad. Citadel. Steve Cohen. David Portnoy. Game Stop. Nokia. AMC Theaters Holdings. Dogecoin. Bitcoin. Shorts. Options. Wall Street bets. Reddit. We’ve seen a convergence of these names, financial terms, stocks, companies and entities over last few weeks as old school Wall Street butted heads with the public and WSB Reddit. But when traders needed a platform to trade, Robin Hood and other similar trading companies banned trades, halted trading, changed the rules. Wall Street benefitted. The individual investor did not. Yet, not one of the leaders, power brokers or those involved were subjected to real cross examination - real powerful, probing questioni...
2021-02-0319 minKiller Cross ExaminationThe Questions I Get AskedI get asked a lot of questions about criminal defense. I think all criminal lawyers do. The questions, you can guess them:
how can you defend those people
have you ever defended someone who is guilty
have you ever defended someone that admitted they were guilty
have you ever defended someone who you knew was guilty
have you ever gotten anyone off that was guilty
Here my take on why these questions miss the mark on what I/we do.
2021-01-2727 minKiller Cross ExaminationProsecutor Appeals Are Not AppealingAs a child, I watched the Wide World of Sports on ABC. Like others, I loved the introduction - “the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.” Who can forget the iconic ski jumper falling sideways off the ski jump, crashing and tumbling. Pain. Hurt. Disappointment. In the criminal justice system, prosecutors can appeal rulings that they don’t like - when evidence is suppressed, police are adjudged to have broken the law or when a charge/case is dismissed. I’ve watched client’s jump for joy, elation and relief when the charges are dismissed or evidence suppressed. I’ve...
2021-01-2018 minKiller Cross ExaminationMia Sat For An Interview - Why You Shouldn'tYou’ve seen the interviews. Client sitting there. Lawyer next to her. And a reporter conducting an interview of them while the case is under investigation or while pending. Mia Ponsetto just did it, with her lawyer. Casey Anthony did it, with her lawyer. Others have done it with their lawyers too.
DON’T BE LIKE MIA. OR HER LAWYER.
In this episode, I explore these disastrous interviews and why you and your lawyer should avoid them at every turn.
2021-01-1326 minKiller Cross ExaminationBail Em OutThe Eighth Amendment of the US Constitution commands that no person shall be held on excessive bail. Michigan’s statute and court rules repeat that refrain. No excessive bail. Yet how do you define excessive? How is the process to bail people out? How is it abused? Is it fair?
In this episode, I describe this process including a recent horrible experience that I had on a holiday. The system failed - short circuited. Listen in. I want you to hear the story, understand how these hearings are misused and why cash bond is a dangerous tool to give...
2021-01-0625 minKiller Cross ExaminationStop Lying to Your LawyerYour lawyer is your advocate, your friend, you counselor, your voice, your support system and your advisor so it seems obvious that you ought to tell your lawyer the truth. It seems obvious that you shouldn’t mislead your lawyer or withhold critical or important information. Yet, this happens too frequently. When you lie to your lawyer, you’re lying to yourself.
In this episode, I explore what happens when clients lie to their lawyers, how dangerous it is, how they undermine the lawyer’s ability to defend the client and how it is akin to tying our hand...
2020-12-2330 minKiller Cross ExaminationNot For The WearyCriminal defense is not for the weak or weary. Nor is it for learning or experimenting or to get experience. And it is not for older lawyers, past their prime, to “stay active” or to dabble here or there. We’re dealing with lives, liberty and reputations. We dealing with life changing consequences. Like surgeons. Baby doctors looking for experience or octogenarian internists looking to stay in the game don’t perform surgeries. Surgeries have real consequences and as a result we require surgeons to be experienced to ply their craft. Defense lawyering is no different. It’s time to stop tr...
2020-12-1617 minKiller Cross ExaminationBrady - Not Tom or The BunchProsecutors have a tremendous amount of power. I should know, I oppose them daily. Not to mention that for a very short period of time, I was one. In fact, upon hearing that I was a prosecutor once, the famed cowboy lawyer from Wyoming, Gerry Spence, said to me, “I forgive you, my son.” But I digress. Prosecutors have tremendous power. Among the most significant of their powers is the obligation not turn over what we call Brady evidence.
Brady evidence is evidence that tends to help the accused and believe it or not, prosecutors decide for thems...
2020-12-0915 minKiller Cross ExaminationQueen's Gambit- Courtroom EditionQueen’s Gambit is a television show about chess. Bobby Fisher, perhaps the most famous/infamous chess player in history, once proclaimed that “chess is life.” In many ways, this is true. It is certainly true of litigation, criminal defense cases and the cross examination. When I cross examine, we are trying to think many moves ahead so that nothing our opponent does comes as a surprise. Rather, we are trying to maneuver our opponent, whether it be the prosecutor or a witness, into a bad position. Recently we obtained a dismissal in a very high-profile case in a traffi...
2020-12-0232 minKiller Cross Examination"I'll Shred Your House Apart"“If I find anything that you haven’t told me about, I’ll shred your house apart.”
There is not much ambiguity in this statement. A seasoned police detective in the presence of another uniform officer said this to a scared 18 year old who had just been arrested. The kid became physically and noticeably ill. When he summoned up the courage to inquire about a lawyer, he was put off. When he asked to make a call to his unsuspecting mother and grandmother, who were at home, he was put off. This is intolerable. All lawyers should not only...
2020-11-2527 minKiller Cross ExaminationThe Devil Is In The DetailsWe recently won a criminal case in which a judge suppressed evidence that was illegally seized. We knew that the traffic stop and arrest of our client was a pretext. It was all done so that the officer could get into our client’s car. But how would and how could we prove it. We setup a cross examination that would reveal the officers true motivations and show that he had no evidence that our client committed a crime, but stretched the law anyway in order to accomplish his goal — getting into his car to do a search.
2020-11-1137 minKiller Cross ExaminationTools To Be Better Than Senators & Congressmen At Cross ExamWe're told that Congress is full of lawyers but why then are Congress(wo)man and Senators generally so bad at questioning witnesses? Save a couple, e.g., Rep Katie Porter, they are. I'm not arguing. I'm stating a fact. In Episode 22, I get back to some basics of cross examination and offer some tips on how to control witnesses, how cross examination is like a sales call (remember "Boiler Room" or Glengarry Glenross) in which a sale is happening with every question and answer - either you're selling them on the fact that the witness is a liar and n...
2020-10-2832 minKiller Cross ExaminationExposing the Breath Alcohol Program - Part 3The Breath Alcohol Testing Program has been under attack. For weeks, I’ve been exposing the breath test program for the sham that it is. In Episode 21, I really take apart the program for its lack of transparency and how the program has been set up to insulate the program, the units, the operators the technicians from full confrontation and cross examination. Our cross examination in this case has opened a lot of eyes but it’s just one case. In this episode I pull no punches. The logs, the record keeping, the Sgt. Schultz - mentality of the daily op...
2020-10-2129 minKiller Cross ExaminationExposing the Breath Alcohol Program - Part 2In Episode 19, we discussed a portion of our cross examination of the Michigan State Police Technical Leader/Toxicologist and what we uncovered and revealed during that hearing. In Episode 20, we explore even more of our killer cross examination of this expert witness. While the state and the MSP was sending these technicians out to testify and consult with the various police departments, the leaders of the program were discussing privately what they truly thought of the technicians. These technicians given the highest level of classification as a Datamaster Operator, it was represented both expressly and impliedly that they were com...
2020-10-1423 minKiller Cross ExaminationExposing the Breath Alcohol Program - Part 1In January, 2020, the Michigan State Police Breath Alcohol Program, responsible for overseeing the "breathalyzer" program in Michigan was rocked by scandal. At first, MSP fired the company servicing the machines. But that was only the tip of the iceberg. Soon allegations of fraud and misrepresentation were levied against technicians who worked side by side with the MSP in servicing and maintaining the machines. Soon after Rockind Law began a search for evidence of the real story - the truth behind the scandal. We obtained thousands of pages of reports, documents, etc. Some were obtained under a protective order. Others obt...
2020-10-0723 minKiller Cross ExaminationRIP RBGRIP RBG
(March 15, 1933 – September 18, 2020)
A tribute to Ruth Bader Ginsburg
2020-09-2315 minKiller Cross ExaminationGilding the LilyThe phrase, gilding the lily, comes from a Shakespeare play, King John. The line in the play is actually, "to paint the lily." The quotation reads, in part, "To gild refined gold, to paint the lily / To throw a perfume on the violet. . .. / Is wasteful and ridiculous excess."
What it means is simple: when you already have something beautiful, e.g., a lily, gold, a violet, don't attempt to make it more beautiful. All you do is risk ruining it. For a cross examiner, this is a golden rule - DON'T GILD THE LILY. In other words, once you'v...
2020-09-1617 minKiller Cross ExaminationScience SchmienceScience. Complex, costly, imperfect and time consuming. That’s the way science has been, is and always will be. Unless of course, it is the “science” of the law enforcement and the criminal justice system. The complex and imperfect sciences that we are familiar with become, in the legal system, perfect, beyond question, fast and I expensive. Why? Because the legal system needs certainty and expediency, not costly and uncertain. Uncertainty means doubt and that means reasonable doubt. In Episode 16, I begin to touch on how the legal system has converted science, kidnapped it and made it into something it is...
2020-09-0921 minKiller Cross ExaminationDealing With Difficult JudgesOf all the questions I get regarding cross examination and trial work, “how do you deal with difficult judges?” is asked the most often. During Episode 15, I explore the qualifications of becoming a judge and share stories of how I've dealt with difficult judges in the past. Most jurors and members of the public think that a judge must’ve been an amazing all-knowing lawyer and must know all areas of the law. Wrong. Worse, some judges cannot help but interfere in the trial and interfere in the cross examination. How do you handle these judges without losing the jury an...
2020-09-0252 minKiller Cross ExaminationMunicipal ConflictsWhether intended or not, prosecutors are the most powerful entity in the criminal justice system. That's right. You probably thought judges were. While judges have tremendous power, in the end prosecutors have more. They have the power to charge people with crimes, decide what crimes to charge, seek enhancements, make plea bargains, propose sentence agreements, etc. The list is endless. It is because prosecutors have so much power that special rules of responsibility (ethical rules) apply to them. Prosecutors are supposed to ministers of justice and not just advocates. Think about that for a moment — ministers of justice. That means they h...
2020-08-2630 minKiller Cross ExaminationWhat Not To DoWe can learn a lot by watching someone do it right. We can also learn much, maybe even more, by watching someone do it wrong or poorly. And this episode I break down and tear apart a cross examination done by another lawyer of a very important state expert witness. I hold nothing back. I. Hold. Nothing. Back.
From asking open-ended questions, to having no plan, to not having ammunition to challenge the witness to asking questions of the witness that could do nothing but help the witness appear stronger, I point out various parts of the cro...
2020-08-1937 minKiller Cross ExaminationIgnorance of the LawFrom a young age, we’ve been told that ignorance of the law is not defense a criminal offense or charge. But shouldn’t it be? The concept that ignorance of the law is no defense is rooted in the notion that we should know what the laws are and govern ourselves accordingly. But how can we? Every year, the legislature passes more and more laws making more and more acts criminal violations. For years, the legislature was creating an average of 45 felonies a year. That doesn’t include misdemeanors and doesn’t include local municipalities. The number of new laws is ju...
2020-08-1223 minKiller Cross ExaminationPresumption of InnocenceIn this episode, Neil Rockind discusses the concept known as the “Presumption of Innocence” and describes why it is such a cornerstone of our justice system. He analyzes the impact and effect of this presumption and explains the grave danger inherent in disregarding this essential aspect of the law.
By incorporating examples of how this would fare if it was applied in our daily lives, Neil makes it clear just how destructive it may be when we choose to ignore the presumption of innocence and instead jump to conclusions. Listen to Episode 11 to hear more!
2020-08-0523 minKiller Cross ExaminationGathering Evidence of Innocence Should Come FirstDid you know that the police and prosecution must turn over evidence favorable to the defense to the accused? Did you know that the U.S. Supreme Court has stated that it is a denial of due process for a prosecutor not to turn over favorable evidence? Likewise, did you know that even if a prosecutor is unaware of the evidence, if any member of the police department or someone within the sphere of influence and control of the prosecution knows about it, it must be disclosed. Yet, why do cases still get overturned for the failure of evidence to...
2020-07-2921 minKiller Cross ExaminationYou’re Not A ScrivenerThere’s a court reporter either sitting somewhere in the courtroom or someone ready to turn the recording into a verbatim record. So, stop looking down at your notepad trying to take down word for word what the witness says in direct examination. Instead, just as you’d tell your child or teen to pick their head up from their phone, pick your head up and look at what’s happening in front of you. Much of communication is non-verbal. Movements, positioning, facial expressions, arm and body placement and style of answering, eg, direct or narrative and rambling, can only b...
2020-07-2217 minKiller Cross ExaminationDUI Cases: You’re Your Own Worst EnemyThe system has to work in all cases including cases in which people are accused of drunk driving or DUI. But is it? Over the years, these investigations have become one-sided, slanted and skewed. Exculpatory and favorable evidence is ignored. Any misstep by the driver is interpreted, without question or query, as evidence of intoxication or impairment. Even the slightest physical “sign”, e.g., bloodshot eyes, is assumed without follow-up or investigation, to be the result of alcohol or drug consumption and intoxication. When we query the police about whether they made any inquiry at all or did they just...
2020-07-1524 minKiller Cross ExaminationMiranda Warnings, You’ve Been WarnedAnyone who has watched any television show involving cops or the legal system, knows the Miranda Warnings. We know the words but what do they really mean. Not using legalese or fancy lingo, what do each of the rights really mean to the average person. How should you understand them? And why do so many people despite the warnings, waive them and make statements to the police that harm their case?
We tackle this subject in Episode 7. I break them down in a way that you’ve never heard. You’ll never think of the Miranda Warnings quite t...
2020-07-0817 minKiller Cross ExaminationWitness CredibilityWhile some trials involve forensic or scientific evidence, all trials involve an element of witness credibility. Historically and as a matter of common sense, we know that some witnesses will lie, get together and get their story straight or at least try to. We separate our children and students in class when we’re trying to figure out who broke the vase. Where the stories diverge or contradict, we can start to get at the truth. There is an old biblical story about 2 elders who accused a woman, Susanna, but were caught lying during a trial. How? They were se...
2020-07-0129 minKiller Cross ExaminationWant to Police the Police? Start When They’re on the StandOur country is witnessing an awakening of sorts. Our eyes are more open to the power that we have given to those whose job it is to protect and serve, the police. Before squad car video recordings, body cams and citizen made cellphone recordings, what happened during a police encounter or investigation came down to the citizen’s word vs the officer’s. Anyone familiar with trying to fight a traffic ticket knows the hopeless feeling that “they’ll just believe the cop.” Did you know that in the criminal justice system, the law has always been that “police testimony is t...
2020-06-2428 minKiller Cross ExaminationDeath By A Thousand Cuts- Part 2This is Part 2 of Death by a Thousands Cuts and follows closely with Episode 3. Its been said that in the prior episode, the witness’ testimony was “dead” after only 2 cuts rather than 1,000. In Part 2, the witness was cut repeatedly … over and over and over again.
A variation of Proverbs 18:17 reveals that he who speaks first seems right until another gets up to question him. This is so true of cross examination and is really brought to life in this episode. A witness for the state, so confident and sure of himself, proudly testified on direct examination about how he f...
2020-06-1734 minKiller Cross ExaminationDeath By A Thousand CutsDeath By A Thousand Cuts is a form of torture. Literally. The subject is repeatedly and slowly cut, with each cut inflicting a small amount of pain and bloodshed. One individually is not enough to kill the subject. But together, by the end, after many cuts, the subject is done. Psychologically speaking, Death By A Thousand Cuts occurs when something negative is happening to another but it is happening slowly, incrementally and almost without notice until it is too late.
Approaching a witness for cross examination, many lawyers want a clean, knockout punch – one shot that ends th...
2020-06-1041 minKiller Cross ExaminationMy First Trial- The Case of the Exposed LawyerAs I recall, I was 25-26, probably somewhere in between and making my way in the tense environment of the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office where I was a young assistant prosecutor. The office was not without controversy. Our supervisors directed us to plea bargain few cases meaning that most proceeded to straight pleas or were set for trial. For young lawyers looking for trial experience, we were sure to get it working in Oakland County.
Early on, young prosecutors are assigned a mentor and to a courthouse. In the beginning, everything is under the watchful eye of...
2020-06-0320 min
Killer Cross ExaminationKiller Cross Examination IntroKiller Cross Examination is brought to you by Neil Rockind, a veteran and award-winning criminal defense lawyer. Rockind shares his insight into what he terms “killer cross examination” through his weekly podcast and blog entries. As a former assistant prosecuting attorney and radio talk show host, Rockind believes that killer cross examination is the key to winning any case: using cross examination in way that highlights the issues and defenses that you are advocating while undermining the foundation for the government’s case.
2020-05-2211 min
Planet Green TreesPlanet Green Trees Episode 191-MM Jury Trials with Neil Rockind.March 20, 2014 Tonight 8-10:00 p.m. or call 347-326-9626 www.planetgreentrees.comHosted by attorney Michael Komorn from Komorn Law and Chad from Birmingham Compassion- Contributions from Rick Thompson from The Compassion Chronicles and Jamie Lowell from The 3rd Coast Compassion Center- Tonight- A medical marijuana dispensary criminal case has been outright dismissed without the possibility of the case being recharged, or of an appeal reversing the dismissal decision! The medical marijuana community is worried that lawmakers in Washington State will fail to pass regulating legislation this year, leavi...
2014-03-212h 24