Gene Rossi Quoted in Newsweek: “Should Jeanine Pirro Recuse From Cole Allen Case? Legal Analysts Weigh In”

Gene Rossi was quoted in a Newsweek article titled “Should Jeanine Pirro Recuse From Cole Allen Case? Legal Analysts Weigh In.” Lawyers representing Cole Tomas Allen, the suspect accused of opening fire at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner, asked for a judge to disqualify U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro from prosecuting the case because she was at the event and could be a witness, but legal experts are split about whether the defense has a strong case.

Rossi told Newsweek he believes Pirro should recuse herself from the case. “Even if you don’t have an actual conflict, if you have an appearance of a conflict, you should recuse yourself,” he said. “Jeanine Pirro, in a light most favorable to her, is both a witness and a victim to this alleged crime. There could be an actual conflict, but there surely is an appearance problem.”

Recusal is her “wisest course,” Rossi said. "That would take away a potential argument from the defense if they need to file an appeal in the case.”

Still, Rossi said the evidence in the case seems strong and that her remaining on the case is unlikely to deny Allen a fair trial, even if it does “tarnish the glow of the DOJ.” She may feel there is no actual conflict, he said.

Read the article.

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