The courtroom is often a place of intense emotions, but decorum usually prevails, especially between legal professionals. However, a recent murder trial in Trenton concluded with an unexpected and unprofessional exchange, bringing prominent defense attorney Robin Lord into the spotlight. Following the acquittal of her client, DeSean Clark, on murder charges, Lord recounted a shocking interaction with Mercer County Assistant Prosecutor James Scott.
“I went to shake Mercer County Assistant Prosecutor James Scott’s hand and he told me to, ‘Go f**k myself,’” Robin Lord, a well-known Trenton defense lawyer, stated on Tuesday afternoon. This startling remark, allegedly made by Scott, who identifies himself as a supervising assistant prosecutor on LinkedIn, has ignited discussions about professional conduct within the prosecutor’s office. Lord, a seasoned attorney known for her assertive courtroom presence, expressed her dismay at the prosecutor’s alleged outburst. According to Lord, Scott had previously maintained a professional demeanor, making the alleged vulgarity even more surprising. “There were several legal issues that I called him out on for the course of this trial and I guess he took offense to it and he told me to ‘Go f**k myself,’” she explained, suggesting the prosecutor’s reaction might have stemmed from courtroom disagreements.
When contacted about the incident, Prosecutor Scott confirmed shaking hands with Ms. Lord but offered a different perspective, laced with frustration. After a noticeable sigh, Scott responded, “I did shake Ms. Lord’s hand.” He then shifted the focus to Lord’s conduct during the trial, questioning her credibility. “Did Ms. Lord tell you all the things that she alleged that I did during the trial that were all a lie? Did she tell you all of the things in which she claimed that were lies? Did she tell you that when she was in front of the jury, she lied to them? Did she tell you any of that?” Scott inquired, without specifying the alleged falsehoods. Despite being pressed for details by a reporter unfamiliar with the trial proceedings, Scott declined to elaborate, stating, “My point is she didn’t tell you any of that, did she? I don’t have any further comment.”
Adding another layer to this unusual courtroom drama is the revelation of Scott’s religious affiliation. Robin Lord pointed out that Scott is also a deacon at The Church of Saint Ann, a Roman Catholic Church in Lawrence. “He’s a man of God, professional assistant prosecutor, and he’s is and telling me to ‘Go f*ck myself’ after a not guilty verdict,” Lord remarked, highlighting the apparent contradiction between Scott’s alleged behavior and his religious role. “I was shocked. Am I offended by it? I’m more offended with the fact that my client has been in jail for a crime he didn’t commit,” she added, redirecting the focus back to the case and her client’s ordeal.
Lord further described Scott’s behavior during the trial as erratic and uncontrolled, alleging instances of pen-throwing and loud objections. “He’s going through a midlife crisis,” she quipped, before adding with a touch of irony, “I would hate to confess my sins to him if he was my priest.” These comments paint a picture of a tense courtroom atmosphere and a prosecutor seemingly struggling to maintain composure.
The case that triggered this post-trial clash involved the 2013 New Year’s Day murder of James Threadgill, 54, in Trenton. According to reports, Threadgill was fatally shot following a dispute at Passion’s nightclub on East State Street. The incident, reportedly captured on surveillance footage, led police to identify DeSean Clark as a suspect. Clark was arrested at his Ewing apartment two weeks later and faced murder and weapons charges. However, after a lengthy trial, the jury ultimately acquitted him.
Robin Lord emphasized the significant impact of the wrongful accusation on her client’s life. “This man was in jail,” Lord stated. “Imagine he was in jail for five years for a crime he did not commit. He’s been in jail since Jan. 17, 2013, five years on this bullsh*t type of evidence, and then prosecutor tells me to ‘Go f**k myself.’” Despite the prosecutor’s alleged unprofessional remark, Lord indicated she would not pursue any formal action against Scott. “No,” she responded when asked about potential action, adding, “The acquittal speaks volumes.”
Robin Lord’s reputation as a formidable attorney precedes her. Known for taking on police misconduct cases and securing significant victories, she is no stranger to courtroom drama. Interestingly, the article mentions a framed Trentonian story hanging in her office, recounting an incident from early in her career when she reportedly gave “the bird” to a judge. When asked about this past event, Lord simply stated, “That was 27 years ago,” suggesting a long and colorful career in law. This anecdote further underscores Lord’s assertive and unapologetic style, solidifying her position as a noteworthy figure in Trenton’s legal landscape. The recent courtroom exchange, while regrettable, only adds another chapter to the narrative of Robin Lord, the outspoken and effective defense attorney.
