A judge sent lawyers for Bubba "The Love Sponge" Clem and Todd "MJ" Schnitt into mediation on Friday and demanded answers in the legal drama involving a DUI, a paralegal and a briefcase.
The defamation lawsuit Schnitt filed against Clem went to trial in January and a jury found in favor of Clem. But now Schnitt wants a new trial, citing the drama surrounding one of his attorneys during the trial.
Phil Campbell was arrested on a DUI charge the night of January 23. His colleagues claimed it was a set-up, because Campbell, an attorney for Schnitt, was with a paralegal for lawyers representing Clem at Tampa restaurant Malio's that night. Campbell was driving her car and she ended up with his briefcase.
In a recently filed affidavit, paralegal Melissa Personius said no one with the law firm she works for instructed her to have Campbell drive her car that night or to get into a vehicle with him. But the judge said Friday that the affidavits filed about that night – January 23 – were "lacking a lot."
"There's too many unanswered questions," Judge James Arnold said. "I want to know what happened."
Arnold sent both sides into mediation but also asked for a list of individuals who would be questioned in depositions. If mediation isn't successful, the judge could hold an evidentiary hearing or just hear arguments from the attorneys on the motion for a new trial. That could happen April 22, he said.
Outside the courthouse after the status conference with the judge, an attorney for Schnitt said his clients want a new trial but also want to know what happened.
"Before we go any further we need the truth to come out," Schnitt attorney Wil Florin said.
Clem attorney Joseph Diaco said he's confident nothing that was done was illegal or unethical and he wants to preserve the jury's verdict.
"Not a single thing that allegedly happened affected the jury," Diaco said.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 6:59 PM EDT2013-06-18 22:59:54 GMT
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is suing a pool company that was the subject of an 8 On Your Side investigation this spring. Numerous customers of Pompano Beach-based Nationwide Pools contacted 8
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is suing a pool company that was the subject of an 8 On Your Side investigation this spring.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 5:50 PM EDT2013-06-18 21:50:46 GMT
Sheriff Al Nienhuis would like to verify that the Hernando County Sheriff's Office is currently working on one of hundreds of very ambiguous leads in the Jennifer Odom Homicide.
Sheriff Al Nienhuis would like to verify that the Hernando County Sheriff's Office is currently working on one of hundreds of very ambiguous leads in the Jennifer Odom Homicide.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 5:20 PM EDT2013-06-18 21:20:38 GMT
Three Bartow High School students are accused of breaking into the city middle and high school. Police said they began investigating a series of school burglaries on Monday. Investigators said the
Three Bartow High School students are accused of breaking into the city middle and high school. Police said they began investigating a series of school burglaries on Monday.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 6:59 PM EDT2013-06-18 22:59:54 GMT
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is suing a pool company that was the subject of an 8 On Your Side investigation this spring. Numerous customers of Pompano Beach-based Nationwide Pools contacted 8
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is suing a pool company that was the subject of an 8 On Your Side investigation this spring.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 2:46 PM EDT2013-06-18 18:46:51 GMT
Chrysler says it has resolved its differences with the government and will recall older Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty SUVs that could be at risk of a fuel tank fire. Earlier this month the company refused
Chrysler says it has resolved its differences with the government and will recall older Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty SUVs that could be at risk of a fuel tank fire. Earlier this month the company refused
Tuesday, June 18 2013 1:09 PM EDT2013-06-18 17:09:00 GMT
Fewer U.S. adults are smoking, a new government report says. Last year, about 18 percent of adults participating in a national health survey described themselves as current smokers.
Fewer U.S. adults are smoking, a new government report says. Last year, about 18 percent of adults participating in a national health survey described themselves as current smokers.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 5:50 PM EDT2013-06-18 21:50:46 GMT
Sheriff Al Nienhuis would like to verify that the Hernando County Sheriff's Office is currently working on one of hundreds of very ambiguous leads in the Jennifer Odom Homicide.
Sheriff Al Nienhuis would like to verify that the Hernando County Sheriff's Office is currently working on one of hundreds of very ambiguous leads in the Jennifer Odom Homicide.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 1:17 PM EDT2013-06-18 17:17:54 GMT
A military widow wants to know why another woman's name is engraved on her husband's headstone. The woman discovered the mistake while visiting her husband's grave at Fort Logan Cemetery in Denver, Colorado.
A military widow wants to know why another woman's name is engraved on her husband's headstone. The woman discovered the mistake while visiting her husband's grave at Fort Logan Cemetery in Denver, Colorado.
Thursday, June 13 2013 6:24 PM EDT2013-06-13 22:24:36 GMT
Ambulances and helicopters took at least 30 people from a burning chemical plant after an explosion Thursday in Louisiana, officials said. Early tests did not indicate dangerous levels of any chemicals
Ambulances and helicopters took at least 30 people from a burning chemical plant after an explosion Thursday in Louisiana, officials said. Early tests did not indicate dangerous levels of any chemicals
Tuesday, June 18 2013 5:19 PM EDT2013-06-18 21:19:20 GMT
Polk County Volunteer of the Year Corey "Ralph" Cowart will soon enjoy another special honor. The Tampa Bay Rays have invited the 30-year-old to throw out the first pitch at an upcoming home game.
Polk County Volunteer of the Year Corey "Ralph" Cowart will soon enjoy another special honor. The Tampa Bay Rays have invited the 30-year-old to throw out the first pitch at an upcoming home game.
A Tampa judge ordered Bubba and MJ's lawyers into mediation today.
