Renouncing His Lordship...... Sort Of

LordBlackInTheCrosshairs
RicherThanSnotVille


(Updated at bottom)

Looks like Conrad Black is ashamed of his lot in life.

Or, to be more precise, he has decided that he's a rich boy with a peerage that he doesn't want people to know about.

Especially people who may belong to that jury of his peers that will soon be spending their time listening to Patrick Fitzgerald (yes, that Patrick Fitzgerald) explain why he thinks the Lord in his crosshairs has been swindling people:

In a motion filed in September (see below and on the following seven pages), his lordship's lawyers argue that certain allegations in the indictment engender "class prejudice."

The motion requests on Pages 6 and 7 that references to Black's "membership in the House of Lords"; to his multiple residences (some of them admittedly decorated in "lavish fashion"); to the (presumably less lavish) servants' living quarters situated therein; and to the surprise party Black threw for his ladyship and 80 guests at La Grenouille—that mention of these bagatelles, plus a few others, be stricken from the indictment.

After all, Black's attorneys point out, a "typical juror does not reside in more than one residence, employ servants or a chauffeur ... or host expensive parties."


Which is pretty strong stuff, at least in terms of lawyered-up self-loathing of the legal kind.

But why would his lordship want to hide the fact that he lavishes trinkets, expensive gifts and surprise parties that cost more than most people's annual salary on 'his ladyship' from the jury too?

Unless, of course, he's worried about the dreaded 'Hall and Oates' effect.

OK?


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Alison, in the comments, reminds us that even Richard Perle claims that he was 'duped' by Conrad the Marauder. To which we can only respond - how does one actually 'dupe' a "Prince of Darkness"?

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