People v. Griffith

Following a lengthy jury trial in the circuit court of Cook County, Deborah Griffith was found guilty of abducting her daughter, Rebekah Ford, from the child’s father, Bruce Ford. Griffith was represented at trial by James P. Paese and Beryl Zerwer, whom the record indicates were then affiliated with the public defender’s office. Following argument of Griffith’s post-trial motion, the trial court found Paese and Zerwer in direct criminal contempt of court. Paese and Zerwer now appeal.

The record on appeal indicates the following facts. After the jury found Griffith guilty of child abduction,…