New-York tribune., 1921-06-08
Disbar Lawyer
Who Quit Client
AT Death $ Door
Frank McDermota, of Newark
Denounced for Deserving
Poor Slayer During Week
Set for Execution i'm Chair
Failed to Press Appeal
Widely KnownP p olitician and
Criminal Attorney Once
Before Barred i'm Jersey
specia, Dispatch to The Tribune

TRENTON, N. j., June 7.--Charged
by, the court with having abandoned
his client during the week scheduled
for the clients execution, Frank M.
McDerrnit, Of Newark, one of the most
widely known criminal lawyers in New
Jersey and long an active figure in
stste politics, was to-day disbarred by
the Supreme Court from further prac-
tice of law in the state.
MeDermit was counsel for John
Lamhle, alias Brandon, a Union County
murderer. He made application for 3
writ of error to stay the execution of
I.amble and then, it is alleged, failed
To prosecute the writ before the Court
of Errors and Appeals. which ordered
an investigation into the lawyers con-
duct in the case.
The excuse offered by McDermit was
that his client did not have sufficient
funds TO finance the presentation of
his case in proper form. McDermit was
admitted to the bar forty years ago
and was previously disbarred, in 1899,
for the misrepresentation OF funds be-
longing to a client.
Saved Many From Chair
.McDermit is generally regarded in
the courts and among members of the
bar as one of the most resourceful and
successful practitioners in the state.
His reputation in the criminal courts
is widespread and he is accredited with
saving more men from the electric
chair than any five lawyers III New
Jersey. In the past he has fought for
his clients virtually until the hour set
for their deaths and in numerous in
stances has succeeded in securing stays
on the day set for execution and in
having the death sentence set aside.
Commenting upon the fact that the
disbarment in 1889 was for Illegal use
of 8 clients money, Justice Swayze
said:
.sHe is now guilty of lack of hdel.
ity in matter involving life.
"He abandoned them (Brandon and
his wife) when the prisoner was in
the very shadow of the electric chair,
in the very week fixed for execution.
That abandonment was not less culpa-
BILE because he subsequently resumed
his efforts in their behalf under strong
pressure from the court"
Likened to Army Deserter
"For counsel to abandon a client
at such crisis is like a soldier de-
serting in the face of the enemy
Dereliction on the part of attorneys
and counselors is not uncommon, but
fortunately the most untrustworthy
counsel is ordinarily loyal enough to
his client, and even the ordinary sense
OF self-interest urges lawyer to do
the best he can to save his clients
life. 1t is rare that counsel sets his
own desire for money before his clients
chance of life. We can think of none
grosser. If mere unfaithfulness in
money matters justified his disbar-
ment in 1899, much more must lack of
fidelity in matter of life and death
Justify his disbarment in 1921.
Let the name of Frank NJ McDermit
be stricken off the roll of attorneys and
the roll Of counselors."
Although for many years prominent
figure at all important Democratic
gatherings in New Jersey and a fre-
quent candidate for office, McDermit
has never been successful at the polls
He was candidate two years ago for
the Democratic nomination for Gov
ernor and also sought that office on
previous occasions. He has been a
candidate, too, for United States SEN
ator