Court told U.S. lawyer a nerd, not drug trafficker

By Angus MacSwan

MIAMI, May 20 (Reuter) Former U.S. Justice Department lawyer Michael Abbell
was a ``nerd'' dedicated to the American justice system, not a narcotics
trafficker conspiring with Colombian cocaine barons, his lawyer told a court
Tuesday.

Abbell's coaccused William Moran, a prominent Miami attorney, was described
by his lawyer as a ``sentinel in the night'' for his work in defending
accused criminals.

The two men sat in a Miami court on Tuesday as defence attorney's made
opening statements in their trial on racketeering and conspiracy charges.

Prosecutor Ed Ryan said Monday the two had ``sold their souls'' to the Cali
cocainesmuggling cartel.

``They were there whenever they were needed. They did whatever was
requested,'' Ryan said, including arranging false affidavits, offering hush
money and relaying death threats.

The case hinges on the question of whether Abbel and Moran were deeply
involved in the Cali cartel's operations importing tonnes of cocaine into the
United States, as the prosecution says, or were merely exercising the
consitutional right to represent suspected criminals, as the defence says.

Interest in the trial is high not only because of the ramifications for the
legal profession but also because of the Harvardtrained Abbell's fall from
grace.

Defence attorney Howard Srebnick painted a portrait of Abbell as an academic
and respected legal expert who loyally served his country at the Justice
Department for 17 years.

Abbell, 56, rose to head its office of international affairs under the Carter
Administration before leaving in 1984 to start a private practice. He wrote a
respected treatise on extradition and lectured at Yale, Georgetown and
abroad.

As a recognised expert on extraditon he was retained by Cali cartel boss
Gilberto Rodriguez Orejuela and later by his brother Miguel to keep them out
of U.S. jails.

``It wasn't his job to judge 'is this man moral or immoral,''' Srebnick said.
``In his entire lifetime (Abbell) has never touched cocaine ... he was not
poisoning children with cocaine.

``He's a teacher, not a drug trafficker. He's a lawyer, not a drug
trafficker...Some might say a nerd.''

Abbell's wife and three sons sat in the front row of Judge William Hoeveler's
court during the morning's session.

Moran's attorney Martin Weinberg said the prosecution had no real evidence to
back its case but was relying on testimony of convicted drug traffickers who
would lie in the hope of having their sentences reduced.

He eulogised Moran, who sat in court wearing a grey check suit and black
cowboy boots.

``Lawyers sometimes represent people who do bad things. To defend the most
unpopular members of our society is not easy. He did it with courage, with
skill. He fought for their liberty,'' Weinberg said.

In 28 years Moran had built up a respected pratice in Miami. ``There was no
reason for him to cross the line.''

Four other accused drugs smugglers are also on trial with Moran and Abbell.
They were indicted in June 1995 along with four other lawyers, the Cartel
bosses and dozens of other people. Most have already pleaded guilt to lesser
charges.

The Rodriguez brothers are serving jail time in Colombia.