Story Archive

The Soap Opera Defense

Steven Felton, 34, of Emmaus, Pa., went on trial after a string of robberies — most of which were recorded by security cameras, which showed his face clearly. He was caught because he used his own car as a getaway vehicle. Representing himself in his trial, Felton yelled out bizarre objections to the evidence against him, such as “Freedom of speech!” and “Unfair prejudice!” His defense: his “evil twin” did the robberies. The jury only took four hours to convict him of 10 counts of robbery and two counts of theft, but the judge rolled her eyes that they took that long. “It would have taken me as long as it takes to write the word ‘guilty’ on a page,” said Lehigh County Judge Kelly L. Banach. “There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that you are the perpetrator.” When she sentenced Felton to 62 to 124 years in prison, he didn’t say a word. (RC/Allentown Morning Call) ...Huh: I would have bet on “Legal malpractice!”