NOTE: All facts and opinions detailed in this narrative come
directly from sworn testimony and court documents.
MATTHEW YANNI LIED TO HIS CLIENT AND TO THE JUDGE
Martinsburg, West Virginia lawyer Matthew Yanni was appointed by the Court to represent a
client in a criminal action that was scheduled to go to trial 12 days later. Because of previous poor legal representation
by
Gregory V. (Greg) Smith and
Andrew Arnold (CLICK on their names to learn
more) no defense had been prepared for the client; however, proper and
competent legal efforts by Matthew Yanni could have had all charges permanently
dismissed against the client if he was not brought to trial by the end of the
month.
When Mr. Yanni was appointed the client informed Mr. Yanni
in writing that the client would not wave his speedy trial rights and the
client did not believe that Mr. Yanni could develop an effective defense within
the few days Mr. Yanni had left before trial.
Within days a hearing was held to determine whether the
client was willing to wave his speedy trial rights and Mr. Yanni lied to the
judge by saying the client wanted to proceed to trial in 12 days. Mr. Yanni then lied to the judge, again, and
said he “will be ready for trial” in 12 days.
Mr. Yanni committed those lies knowing that he had just taken the case,
knew nothing of the facts or technical issues involved, and would have to
develop an effective and technically complex defense in less than 12 days.
Several hours after Mr. Yanni lied to the judge about his
ability to be ready for trial Mr. Yanni confessed to the client in a recorded
telephone conversation that Mr. Yanni would not be ready for trial. Mr. Yanni also admitted that he didn’t
understand the basic technology involved in the matter and did not intend to
retain an expert to assist him.
MATTHEW YANNI REFUSES TO PROPERLY PREPARE FOR TRIAL
The client then supplied Mr. Yanni with over forty pages of
technical information to build a defense, but Mr. Yanni admitted he didn’t
understand the specifics and would not make any effort to learn them. Mr. Yanni did not consult or hire an expert
witness to explain the complex issues to him.
Mr. Yanni also refused to consult with the client regarding
the development or presentation of his defense.
Mr. Yanni was completely unprepared for
trial.
DID MATTHEW YANNI INTENTIONALLY HARM HIS CLIENT FOR PERSONAL
GAIN?
Matthew Yanni’s representation efforts have given the client
the impression is that Mr. Yanni is using his appointment as the client’s
attorney for personal gain. By intentionally harm the client Mr. Yanni
allows the judge to do less work and as “a member of the team” can earn more
court appointments.
These appointments are necessary to financially support a
law practice for an attorney of questionable competence and ethics.
Matthew Yanni is is a perfect example of the nightmare of a
bad lawyer portrayed in movies and television.
MATTHEW YANNI’S INCOMPETENCE FORCES HIS CLIENT TO FILE A
COMPLAINT WITH THE WEST VIRGINIA STATE BAR
The client lost all confidence in Mr. Yanni’s integrity and
competence and filed a complaint against Mr. Yanni with the West Virginia State
Bar.
MATTHEW YANNI’S DISHONESTY FORCES HIS CLIENT TO SUE HIM
When Mr. Yanni ignored the West Virginia State Bar complaint
the client was forced to sue him in civil court.
DEFENDANT MATTHEW YANNI ADMITS TO ALL OF THE ALLEGATIONS IN
THE LAWSUIT AGAINST HIM
Matthew Yanni is so incompetent as an attorney that he could
answer the law suit filed against him in time.
Under the law, his default is an admission of all of the allegations
made in the law suit.
MATTHEW YANNI’S INCOMPETENCE IS DOCUMENTED
Matthew Yanni’s address
Matthew Yanni
211 ½ West Burke Street
Martinsburg, WV 25401
Embattled Martinsburg lawyer Gregory V. "Greg" Smith
is developing a reputation of a lawyer that simply can’t be trusted to protect
the rights of his clients.
