Director of “Die Hard” movie appeals decision with argument to withdraw previous guilty plea

U.S. District Judge Dale S. Fischer may have to reconsider Hollywood movie director John McTiernan’s argument to withdraw his guilty plea of lying to the FBI over his links to disgraced private eye Anthony Pellicano.

Fischer sentenced McTiernan to pay a $100,000 fine and serve four months in prison back in September 2007. Fischer may have to reevaluate the sentence though as a 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel held that the judge should have listened to McTiernan’s argument more closely in regards to withdrawing his guilty plea. The Tuesday October 21, 2008 decision vacates McTiernan’s conviction and sends the case back to Fischer for an evidentiary hearing.

The evidentiary hearing, the panel strongly hinted, could result in a plea withdrawal and a chance for the millionaire director to convince Fischer to suppress certain evidence; specifically a phone conversation Pellicano taped. This is a case in which the Hollywood criminal defense attorney may have not fully done everything that they could or should have as they did not get the discovery before agreeing to a plea bargain. McTiernan will likely challenge the validity of the evidence by motion to suppress.

This type of issue is exactly why it is so important to have a qualified and competent California appeals attorney that will ensure that they get all necessary documents ahead of time to review and get you the best possibly outcome.

We at Wallin & Klarich have over 30 years of experience in criminal defense and will get you the help you need! Call us anytime 24 hours a day 7 days a week at 1-888-749-0034 to speak to a competent and aggressive California criminal defense attorney that will help you resolve your criminal matter. Visit us at www.wklaw.com.