Frank Housh, the attorney for Antwan Odom, appeared in Genesee County Court on Friday morning along with Odom, to address an application for a gag order after District Attorney Larry Friedman requested one after the last court appearance on May 3, 2019.
Housh spoke with media after that appearance and made statements that could possibly be in violation according to Judge Zambito.
Housh requested to respond in writing in regards to the gag order and will have until May 28th to submit his response.
Arguments on the matter are scheduled for June 12th.
“My intention is to submit a temporary order today and not make a final decision. Both parties are not allowed to speak to the media,” Zambito said.
“So you’ve already decided?,” Housh said.
“No doubt statements were made , not sure if those statements are in violation, I just want to make sure nothing happens between now and then,” said Zambito.
“No doubt statements were made,” said Housh.
“This gives me a prior restraint on my 1st Amendment rights. I’ve never heard of an elected DA taking what is supposed to be a private grievance procedure being filed under these circumstance and making it public. Its supposed to be private, he has made it extremely public.”
Housh says he has retained an attorney in the case.
“Instead of me defending my client , I am spending all of my time retaining an attorney just to protect myself and my license.”
Housh then told the court that his client can’t get a fair trial here with him as his lawyer.
“The DA is attacking my license, so I will have to withdraw from the case, I don’t have the resources. I want to represent my client, I can’t do that now, his 5th Amendment right is now lost.”
Judge Zambito told Housh he is seeking to protect the integrity of the proceeding so no further attempts are made to threaten the case.
Odom will re-appear in court on July 2, 2019 at 2:00p.m for motions.
He is currently out on 30,000 bond bail