Firm News: Heading to Trial

Former Ocean Ridge Vice Mayor Richard Lucibella will soon be heading to court to fight charges that he unlawfully fired a weapon while intoxicated and resisted arrest in October 2016. His trial date is set for April 10, 2017. Lucibella is represented by West Palm Beach criminal defense attorney Marc Shiner.

Lucibella, 63, has resigned from office amidst allegations of using a firearm while under the influence, battery on an officer, and resisting an officer with violence. However, Lucibella and Shiner argue that the arresting officer used excessive force during the arrest, causing Lucibella to suffer a black eye and three fractured ribs.

According to Shiner, “His reputation, his name, his business reputation, everything has been ruined because of this. So he can’t wait for the public to see what happened. He can’t wait for the jury to try this case.”

In other news, Attorney Heidi Perlet has weighed in on the Kimberly Lucas trial. A decision has yet to be made on whether key evidence will be allowed in the courtroom, including evidence from a statement that was recorded en route to jail without the defendant’s knowledge. Ms. Perlet, Lucas’s former attorney, told WPTV that Lucas likely “didn’t know what was going on… or had an appreciation for where she was or what was happening.” If this piece of evidence is thrown out, it could mean trouble for prosecutors.

Lucas’s trial is set for late January, nearly three years after charges were filed.