The Ohio Supreme Court suspended criminal defense attorney Jack Blakeslee for a year, with six months stayed, due to his odd habit of flinging feces-filled Pringles cans into the parking lot of a crime-victim advocacy center.
One particular incident, which occurred in November 2021 in Cambridge, Ohio, was captured on surveillance video, revealing Blakeslee slowing down, turning around, and tossing the can before heading to the courthouse.
The court found “clear and convincing evidence” that Blakeslee deliberately targeted the Haven of Hope center, where he admitted knowing employees for years, some of whom he was likely to face in court shortly after the incident. Blakeslee pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and littering, paying $248 in fines and court costs.
During his disciplinary hearing, Blakeslee claimed his habit of throwing feces-filled cans from his vehicle — which he estimates he does at least 10 times a year — was merely a prank to “blow off steam” and enjoy the “look of surprise” on people’s faces. He denied intentionally choosing the center as a target and rejected any connection between his actions and a post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis from his service in Vietnam.
The Ohio Supreme Court emphasized that Blakeslee’s conduct, despite societal standards, reflected a failure to control “bizarre impulses” that brought discredit to the legal profession through significant media attention. The court stated that his actions adversely reflected on his fitness to practice law, leading to the one-year suspension.
You know what they say, once you pop, you can’t stop.
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