Jordan Ellis
Attorney John Pierce, who represents nearly 20 Capitol riot defendants, was hospitalized in August 2021, leaving his clients “effectively without counsel. According to an associate, Pierce was ill with COVID-19 and may have been on a ventilator and unresponsive. However, another associate claimed he was suffering from dehydration and exhaustion. As a result of Pierce's hospitalization, his cases were at a standstill, and an unlicensed associate, Ryan Marshall, had been filling in for him, leading to concerns about the defendants' legal representation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | John Pierce |
| Occupation | Attorney |
| Law firm | Pierce Bainbridge |
| Location | Los Angeles |
| Hospitalized | Yes |
| Reason | COVID-19, dehydration, exhaustion, or an accident |
| On a ventilator | Possibly |
| Unresponsive | Possibly |
| Number of clients affected | 17-20 |
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What You'll Learn
Attorney John Pierce was reportedly hospitalized with COVID-19
Attorney John Pierce, of Pierce Bainbridge, was reportedly hospitalized with COVID-19 and may have been on a ventilator, according to an associate. The Justice Department warned judges that at least 17 Capitol riot defendants may be "effectively without counsel" after the prominent right-wing attorney who represents them was hospitalized in a potentially serious condition.
An associate, Ryan Marshall, who has been appearing in Pierce's place, told a judge that he believed Pierce was "'ill with COVID-19, on a ventilator, and unresponsive," according to the DOJ. However, another associate of Pierce's allegedly told NPR that he was not on a ventilator and was instead suffering from dehydration and exhaustion.
Pierce, a conservative attorney representing 17 Capitol riot defendants, hadn't been seen or heard from since August 23, leaving all of his cases at a standstill. Marshall first told the court that Pierce was absent due to a conflict. Later, in a different hearing, Marshall said he had learned that Pierce had been in an accident and was on his way to a hospital.
Pierce, who is based in California and Los Angeles, represents some of the most high-profile alleged Capitol rioters, including those accused of conspiring with extremist groups, the son of a right-wing media founder, and a church leader who brought a group to the January 6 rallies. Pierce resurfaced in court in September 2021 after his hospitalization, saying he was ready to continue with the Jan. 6 cases. He did not disclose whether his hospitalization was due to COVID-19.
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He may have been on a ventilator and unresponsive
Attorney John Pierce, of Pierce Bainbridge, was reportedly in the hospital with COVID-19 and may have been on a ventilator and unresponsive. According to an associate, Ryan Marshall, Pierce was "ill with COVID-19, on a ventilator, and unresponsive." Marshall had been appearing in Pierce's place and attended an evidentiary meeting with prosecutors. However, it is important to note that Marshall is not a licensed attorney and is facing felony charges in two separate cases in Pennsylvania. Due to Pierce's hospitalization, his cases were left at a standstill, and his clients were effectively without counsel.
The Justice Department warned judges that at least 17 Capitol riot defendants may be without legal representation due to Pierce's hospitalization. In a filing, the DOJ stated that Pierce had been out of contact and had missed multiple court hearings since August 23. While Marshall claimed Pierce was on a ventilator with COVID-19, another associate allegedly told NPR that Pierce was not on a ventilator and was instead suffering from dehydration and exhaustion.
The confusion surrounding Pierce's condition and the qualifications of his associate, Marshall, led to concerns about the defendants' rights and the ethical and legal implications of their representation. Prosecutors requested that the courts take steps to protect the defendants' rights while Pierce remained hospitalized. This situation highlights the importance of succession planning and qualified representation in legal cases, especially when unexpected hospitalizations or absences occur.
John Pierce returned to court following his hospitalization, stating that he was ready to continue with the Jan 6 cases. He filed a letter to several judges explaining that he had been in a Los Angeles-area hospital for 12 days and, at his doctor's recommendation, would not be returning to court until September 13. While Pierce did not disclose the reason for his hospitalization, an associate had previously stated that he was sick with COVID-19.
In conclusion, Attorney John Pierce's hospitalization and possible ventilator support left his legal cases at a standstill. The uncertainty surrounding his condition and the qualifications of his associate, Ryan Marshall, raised concerns about the representation of his clients. Pierce's return to court brought resolution to the situation, but the incident underscores the importance of qualified legal representation and contingency planning in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
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His associate, Ryan Marshall, is not a licensed attorney
Attorney John Pierce, of Pierce Bainbridge, was reportedly in the hospital with COVID-19 and may have been on a ventilator. He represents nearly 20 Capitol riot defendants, and his absence has left his cases at a standstill.
Ryan Marshall, who has been appearing in Pierce's place, is not a licensed attorney. Marshall first told the court that Pierce was absent "due to a conflict." He later told another judge that Pierce was on a ventilator with COVID-19. Marshall is facing felony charges in two separate cases in Pennsylvania, including one case involving his alleged participation in a conspiracy to commit fraud while clerking for a judge.
Because Pierce is unavailable and Marshall cannot ethically or legally represent Pierce’s clients, the government has made the Court aware of Pierce’s reported illness. The DOJ wrote in its filing:
> "Because Mr. Pierce is unavailable and Mr. Marshall cannot ethically or legally represent Mr. Pierce’s clients, the government is making the Court aware of Mr. Pierce’s reported illness so that it can take any steps it believes necessary to ensure the defendant’s rights are adequately protected while Mr. Pierce remains hospitalized."
Pierce defended Marshall in a letter to the DC District Court, saying:
> "The morning I went into the hospital was extremely chaotic. Mr. Marshall was simply passing along his best and honest understanding of the circumstances surrounding my hospitalization."
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John Pierce's clients are effectively without counsel
John Pierce, a conservative attorney representing nearly 20 Capitol riot defendants, was reportedly hospitalized with COVID-19 and may have been on a ventilator. He was reportedly ill and unresponsive since August 23, leaving all of his cases at a standstill.
Ryan Marshall, an associate of Pierce, began appearing on his behalf in court hearings. However, Marshall is not a licensed attorney and is facing felony charges in two separate cases in Pennsylvania. Due to this, the government does not believe it is appropriate to continue communicating with him in Pierce's absence.
As a result, Pierce's clients are effectively without counsel. Some of his clients have added other attorneys since his hospitalization. One defendant, Deborah Lynn Lee, expressed concerns about her legal representation and was given a new court-appointed attorney.
Pierce returned to court following his hospitalization and said he was ready to continue with the Jan 6 cases. He filed a letter to several judges explaining that he had been in a Los Angeles-area hospital for 12 days but did not disclose the reason for his hospitalization.
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He returned to court after his hospital stay
John Pierce, a conservative attorney representing nearly 20 Capitol riot defendants, returned to court after a long hospital stay. Pierce was reportedly in the hospital with COVID-19 and may have been on a ventilator, according to court filings by federal prosecutors. The filings also stated that Pierce was unresponsive and that his cases were "effectively at a standstill."
Pierce's associate, Ryan Marshall, had been appearing in his stead, but as Marshall is not a licensed attorney, the government did not believe it was appropriate to continue communicating with him in Pierce's absence. In a letter to the DC District Court, Pierce defended Marshall, stating that he was simply passing along his best understanding of the circumstances surrounding Pierce's hospitalization.
Pierce, from his Los Angeles-based law firm, Pierce Bainbridge, had taken on defending some of the most high-profile alleged Capitol rioters, including those accused of conspiring with extremist groups, the son of a right-wing media founder, and a church leader who brought a group to the January 6 rallies. Pierce's hospitalization left his cases at a standstill, with some of his clients adding other attorneys or expressing concerns about their legal representation.
On Wednesday, September 8, 2021, Pierce resurfaced in court for the first time in more than two weeks. He filed a letter to several judges explaining that he had been in a Los Angeles-area hospital for 12 days and, at his doctor's recommendation, he would not be returning to court until September 13. While Pierce did not disclose the reason for his hospitalization, an associate had previously stated that he was sick with COVID-19, and the Justice Department had alerted judges that he appeared to be out with the virus.
Despite his extended absence, Pierce asserted that he was ready to continue with the Jan. 6 cases.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, attorney John Pierce was in the hospital with COVID-19 and may have been on a ventilator.
Attorney John Pierce was hospitalized on August 23, 2021, and remained in the hospital for 12 days.
It is not clear whether attorney John Pierce had a succession plan in place. No one other than Ryan Marshall appeared on his behalf in the past week.
Attorney John Pierce's cases were at a standstill while he was in the hospital, as Ryan Marshall, who was appearing in his stead, is not a licensed attorney.
Attorney John Pierce returned to court on Wednesday, September 8, 2021, after a reported bout with COVID-19.
