If there is one thing we've learned while watching the Prehn family, they are very skilled at coming up with new schemes. While checking up on Jr's upcoming sentencing for pleading guilty to drug charges, this little gem was discovered.
4/25/2014 ORDER OF SUBSTITUTION - SGD ORDER OF SUBSTITUTION - SGD (OLD: TYLENDA, NEW: TIM BARKOVIC P29797)
It looks like Jr has hired himself a new attorney. Tim Barkovic is a very controversial Saint Claire Shores defense attorney. He's well known for several run ins with various police officers involved in his cases. Does this mean Jr now plans on taking his guilty plea back? Did he have some great remembrance that he was innocent after all? What part did Marty Sr play in this sudden change of heart? Has Sr finally decided to use his vast influence over the Michigan courts, judges, and prosecutors to help save his son from prison?
Could this quote from Marty be a preview of a new defense strategy for Jr?
" It does appear that there had been some mental or depression issues that happened over the course of the last year or even longer"
Are depression or other mental issues now a defense for being a drug dealer?
In an ironic twist, Jr's new lawyer also has a high profile client in another case. He represents Eric Gala, a person Marty loves to rant about. Like this for example:
January 22.
"Here is a photo you can use when you do a follow up article to the Dr. Jim Chism case. I have uncovered some more interesting information related to a motive as to why Eric Gala has his parents tied to their bed at the hotel. Gordie did a great job on the 2nd day of the trial. See you on Monday the 27th at Circuit Court."
Does this mean that while working with Jr's attorney on his case, Marty will be trying to sabotage another case the same attorney is working on? That should make for some very tense moments in the near future. Or maybe Marty has had a change of heart and decided that Gala really didn't do anything worse to his parents than Marty did to his own mother. Has Marty now joined forces with people who defend alleged elder abusers?
Another aspect of this lawyer substitution is of course money. How do the Prehn's plan on paying for such a high profile attorney? How do you go from needing a public defender to a guy like Barkovic? Has Marty somehow convinced this lawyer he has a winnable lawsuit against the law enforcement agencies involved in Jr's arrest? Does this mean Marty plans on reviving his $30 million lawsuit against the sheriff's department? Did Barkovic act out of haste the day before Jr's sentencing because he saw a big settlement opportunity but didn't have time to research it before stepping in? I have a feeling this won't end well for Jr if he takes back his guilty plea.
Is Marty going to sacrifice his son's criminal case for his own chance at getting some money? From past experience watching Marty we all know he'd sell out anyone for a few dollars, including his own family.