Criminal Law Masters of the Courtroom Attorney in Winona, Minnesota
Doug Thomson – “Elephants Fornicating in the Wild”
Doug Thomson – “Elephants Fornicating in the Wild”
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In the Midwest Bank fraud trial that went for months I belie it was Joe, Doug, and Earl, I believe, with codefendants. And as the government’s case dragged on and on and on at night when they would gather at Galivan’s Bar as Dougie would say to take a social drink, Dougie told Earl and Joe and maybe Ron was involved what his opening statement was going to be. And Dougie had what he thought was the least culpable defendant among the three.
And as he told the other attorney what his opening statement was going to be they thought he was kidding. But when Dougie rose to address the jury in that case, he so Doug Thompson-esque rose and stated, “Think of two wild elephants fornicating in the wild, thrashing and slamming into each other and then think of a butterfly up above the elephants.” He said, “That’s my client, the butterfly, we’re just trying not to get smashed.”
And afterward, the other attorneys were agape that he actually did what he said he was going to do. And that was Doug Thompson, no dream too big to point out the innocence of his client.
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Winona, MN Criminal Defense Attorney J.P. Plachecki discusses Doug Thomson. In the Midwest Bank fraud trial, which extended for months, there were Joe, Doug, and Earl as co-defendants, if memory serves. As the government’s case continued to drag on, their evenings often led them to Galivan’s Bar for a social drink, as mentioned by Doug. During one of these gatherings, Doug shared his planned opening statement with Earl, Joe, and possibly Ron, selecting the defendant he deemed least culpable among the trio.
When Dougie divulged his intended opening statement to the other attorneys, they presumed he was joking. However, Doug’s courtroom demeanor was characteristically Thompson-esque. When he addressed the jury, he adopted his distinct style and proclaimed, “Imagine two wild elephants engaging in wild, tumultuous activity—crashing and colliding. Now, envision a butterfly floating above these elephants.” He continued, “My client is that butterfly, attempting to evade being crushed.”
After this audacious delivery, the other attorneys were stunned to witness Doug’s commitment to his stated plan. This incident epitomized Doug Thompson’s approach—unconstrained by the bounds of convention, he fearlessly highlighted his client’s innocence.
