I'm not the judge (or jury)

Below are some excerpts and links to information pertaining to the Scruggs indictment. While other folks might like to speculate and decide before a trial is even set, at Cottonmouth, we believe everyone is innocent until proven guilty. It is not the responsiblity of the media to be the jury.

This isn't a "Grisham novel;" these are people's lives.

Scruggs Group to continue representing Katrina clients - Sun Herald

Don Barrett, a Lexington, Miss.-based lawyer who is part of the "Scruggs Katrina roup" but isn't under indictment, said Scruggs told him he expects to be vindicated and cleared of the charges.

"It's a sad day for everybody involved," Barrett said. "My job is not to be sad but to protect my clients."

Oxford lawyer indicted - Clarion Ledger

Multimillionaire Mississippi lawyer Dickie Scruggs, portrayed in a 1999 Hollywood film about his legal fight against the tobacco industry, is facing federal charges of conspiring to bribe a judge handling $26.5 million in attorney fees related to Hurricane Katrina claims.

Others indicted in the alleged scheme included Scruggs' son, Zach, former State Auditor Steve Patterson and attorneys Sidney Backstrom and Timothy Balducci.
Neither Dickie Scruggs nor Booneville lawyer Joey Langston, who represents Scruggs' firm, could be reached for comment.

Each defendant is charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States, converting property and wire fraud. If convicted on all counts, each of those indicted faces up to 75 years in prison and $1.5 million in fines.

Scruggs, the brother-in-law of U.S. Sen. Trent Lott, is best known for his handling of mass litigation on behalf of the state of Mississippi, first involving asbestos and later involving tobacco.

Indictment Document - Clarion Ledger