Tuesday March 9, 2010

Lawyer in client-beating case arrested after failing to post bond

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Charleston attorney Joshua Robinson, who is charged with beating a client with a baseball bat, had to be arrested after failing to either post bond or report to jail on Monday. 

Earlier in the day, Robinson had been placed on home confinement until his trial next month. Bond was set at $25,000 with a 10 percent cash option and a requirement of home confinement.

But Robinson failed to post bond by 4 p.m. Monday -- and also did not report to jail in lieu of that. There was a warrant issued for his arrest, and police apprehended him at his Lee Street home.

He is now in South Central Regional Jail.

Earlier Monday,Robinson, 38, was arraigned before Judge Duke Bloom. Last week, he asked for a continuance, saying he hadn't had time to hire a lawyer.  On Monday, he again came to court without a lawyer and asked Bloom to postpone his hearing.

The judge refused, and Robinson entered a not guilty plea.

His trial date is set for April 19

Robinson was charged with malicious assault, embezzlement, and obstructing justice after an incident at his East End home.

The incident occurred Dec. 3 when a client, David Lee Gump, came to confront him about cashing a $1,100 check made out to his grandfather. Gump had hired Robinson to help with his grandfather's estate.

Witnesses have testified that Robinson pursued Gump into the street and struck him multiple times in the head with a baseball bat. Gump had to receive medical treatment for his injuries.

Police initially arrested Gump at the scene when Robinson told them Gump had broken into his home, but after hearing testimony, Magistrate Paris Workman found no probable cause for charges and dismissed them.

Assistant Prosecutor Fred Giggenbach asked Bloom to place Robinson on home confinement, pointing out that the attorney had other charges and convictions in Kentucky.

"He has had two charges of wanton endangerment," Giggenbach told the judge. "He took a propane tank and threw it into the back window of a car with his wife in it. And there was a child in the car."

Giggenbach said the charges were felonies, but were pleaded down to misdemeanors. He said Robinson also has an aggravated assault conviction in Kentucky and twice failed to appear in court.

"He's taking that out of context," Robinson responded. "I was sentenced to unsupervised probation. I do not plan to fail to appear for court dates. I look forward to clearing my name."

Robinson said media attention surrounding recent charges has caused concern among his clients.

"This is ridiculous," Robinson said. "It seems that I can not get away from these issues. My wife has an ex-husband who has caused us problems, and that's why we moved here."

Giggenbach also requested that Robinson be drug tested, but Bloom did not order the screen.

Robinson told Bloom there were some financial concerns that prevented him from hiring an attorney.

Bloom said an attorney would be appointed to represent him if he files file financial documents showing he cannot afford one.