Agnew’s appeal

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33413, 20 December 1973, Page 15

Agnew’s appeal

(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) ANNAPOLIS, (Maryland), December 19.

Mr Spiro Agnew has made a personal plea for the chance to keep practising law, but his lawyers concede that “moral turpitude” played a part in the events that led to his being sentenced on a tax evasion charge and his resignation as United States Vice-President.

Appearing in a packed court room to fight a request for disciplinary action by the Maryland Bar Association, Mr Agnew pleaded for the court “not to strip me of my means of livelihood but to find some suitable suspension away from practice.” “I can resume a useful place in the practice of law after my suspension,” Mr Agnew said. “The practice of law means quite a lot to me. I want to return at some later date to bring credit to my practice and to the courts.”

The special three-judge panel holding the hearing will recommend any disciplinary action to the Maryland. Court of Appeals, final

arbiter in the case. They took the case under advisement and promised a decision as soon as possible.

Mr Alfred Scanland, representing the bar association, urged the panel to recommend disbarment and argued that Mr Agnew’s no contest plea was evidence of “professional misconduct, a crime involving moral turpitude or conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice.”

“A large segment of the public has become disenchanted and distrustful of lawyers in public office,” Mr Scanland said. “The purpose of this disciplinary action is to protect the public."