One ‘Last’ Chance for Rubashkin

By COLlive reporter

A new law firm has taken on the case of imprisoned former kosher meat executive Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin and his long fought battle for justice.

James R. Wyrsch and J.R. Hobbs of Wyrsch Hobbs & Mirakian, PC, a prestigious firm based in Kansas City, Missouri, which handles complex civil and criminal litigation, will be representing him.

On their agenda is filing a post-conviction motion, known as a Section 2255, which is a habeas corpus petition in which one argues any constitutional rights that were denied.

In September 2011, the U.S. appeals court denied an appeal by Rubashkin who was sentenced to a draconian 27 years behind bars on bank fraud charges. The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal from that ruling on October 1, 2012.

But his case has received widespread support from hundreds of former Department of Justice officials, federal judges, law professors, Congressmen, and Senators, as well as tens of thousands of citizens across the country.

In a public letter sent Friday, his family said Section 2255 was “one last legal mechanism that can free our beloved father and reunite our family.”

His steadfast wife, Leah Rubashkin, said: “I am hopeful that the funds can be pulled together to retain this incredible power team as soon as possible, especially considering the quickly approaching deadline.”

She added, in a statement to COLlive.com, that Friday was her husband’s 1336th day in prison.

Both Wyrsch and Hobbs have successfully litigated numerous post-conviction cases in the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals, including Section 2255 motions.

They will be joined by Professor Douglas Berman who is a nationally recognized authority on criminal law and sentencing.

“2255 actions are not only the only way, but often the very best way, to unearth and document flaws in the prosecution and sentencing of a defendant in a high-profile case,” explained Professor Berman.

“The best lawyers have a terrific track record of getting death sentences reversed through habeas appeals and Mr. Rubashkin is serving a functional death sentence.”

But the clock is ticking for Sholom Rubashkin as the mandatory filing deadline for the Section 2255 is October 1, 2013.

To support his legal expenses, visit JusticeForSholom.org/donate