Evening journal., 1921-06-17
QUIT Client At
DEATH'SDOOR
New Jersey Bars Disbars
Lawyer Who Deserts
Poor Slayer
FAILED TO PRESS
PPEAL FOR MAN

TRENTON, N. J., June s-Charged
by the court with having abandoned
his client during the week sched-
uled for the clients execution
Frank M. McDermit. OF Newark, one
Of the most widely known criminal
lawyers in New Jersey and long an
active figure in State politics. was
disbarred by the Supreme Court
from further practice OF law in the
State.
McDermit was counsel for John
Lamble, alias Brandon. a Union
county murderer. He made appli-
cation for a writ OF error TO stay
the execution OF Lamble and then.
II is alleged, failed to prosecute the
writ before the Court Of Errors and
Appeals, which ordered an investi-
cation into the lawyers conduct in
the case
The excuse offered by McDermft
was that his client did not have
sufficient funds to fnance the pre-
sentation OF his case IN proper form
McDermit was admitted to the bar
forty years ago and was previously
disbarred. in 1899, for the misap-
preparation OF funds belonging to a
client
McDermft is generally regarded
IN the courts and among members
Of the bar as one Of the most re-
sourceful and successful practition-
ers 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 in New Jer-
sey. In the past he has fought for
his clients virtually untn the hour
set for their deaths and in numerous
instances 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 a clients money, Jus
tice Swayze said:
He "a now guilty OF lack OF hdei-
ity in a matter involving life.
He abandoned them (Brandon
and his wife) when the prisoner
was in the very shadow OF the cleo
trio chair, in the very week fixed
for execution The abandonment
was not less culpable because hf
subsequently resumed his efforts in
their behalf under strong pressure
from the court"
''For counsel to abandon a cIieni
at such a crisis is like a soldier de-
serting In the face OF the enemy
Derelection on the part OF attorney
and counselors Is not uncommon
but fortunately the most untrust
worthy counsel is ordinarily loya
enough TO his client. and even thu
ordinary sense Of self-interest urge
a lawyer to do the best he can q
save his clients life II Is rare tina
} counsel sets his own desire 10
money before his clients chance o
life. We can think OF none grosser
II mere unfaithfulness in none.
matters Justified his disbarment II
b 1899, much more must lack OF fidel
= ny in a matter OF life and dealt
justify his disbarment in 1921
Let the name OF Frank M. Nc
. Dermit be stricken on the roll o
attorneys and the roll OF counsel
, ors."
Although for many years a prom
inent figure at all important Demo
cratic gatherings In New Jersey an
, frequent candidate for Office. Nc
Dermit has never been successful a
. the polls. He was a candidate tw
years ago for the Democratic nomi
nation for Governor and also sough
1 that Office on previous occasions. II
= has been a candidate. too. for Unite
A States Senator.