2nd Circuit Upsets Witness-Tampering Conviction Over Defense Attorney’s Potential Conflict
The 2nd Circuit has vacated a witness-tampering conviction on the
grounds that the defense lawyer may have been conflicted through his
apparent law partner. In appealing his conviction, James Ventry claimed
Anthony J. Lana gave ineffective counsel because he was law partners
with Thomas J. Eoannou, whose improper advice led to the
witness-tampering charge. The court ordered the case remanded for an
evidentiary hearing on the nature of the professional relationship
between Lana and Eoannou.
