Late last week, former New York City police officer Justin A. Volpe confessed to horrific crimes against Abner Louima, admitting he grossly abused his authority as an officer by taking a broom handle and ramming it up the helpless Mr. Louima’s rectum. Until he admitted guilt suddenly in the midst of trial, Volpe and his lawyer, Marvyn M. Kornberg, claimed these events had never happened, apparently relying on the N.Y.P.D.’s “blue wall of silence” for protection. But police witness after police witness testified against Volpe, who finally confessed when the verdict appeared all but certain.
Lost in Volpe’s confession is the startling behavior of Volpe’s lawyer, Mr. Kornberg. Kornberg is well-known for his defense of accused police officers. But in his defense of Mr. Volpe, he has struck out.
