Jurors in the ongoing Todd "MJ" Schnitt-Bubba the Love Sponge Clem defamation lawsuit were scheduled to hear testimony Thursday from Schnitt's wife Michelle.
But court proceedings were called off Thursday morning, just hours after Schnitt's attorney, Charles Philip Campbell, Jr. was arrested in Tampa on DUI charges.
Campbell, Jr., 64, was taken into custody at 10 p.m. Wednesday by Tampa police after being stopped near Cass and Tampa streets. Officers say he had glassy eyes and smelled like alcohol.
He was booked into the Hillsborough County jail and released after posting $500 bond at 6 a.m. Thursday.
Heading into court just after 8 a.m., Campbell said he was focused and ready to work for his client, although he admitted he didn't get much sleep.
But minutes into today's proceedings, the judge said there wouldn't be any questioning today. The jury was dismissed and told to return on Friday.
Schnitt left the courthouse without comment. Meanwhile, Clem said he was disappointed.
"I don't think it (court being canceled) will have any affect on the (trial's) outcome," Clem said. "I have confidence in the process, I have a great bunch of legal representation. It's just a bump in the road. I feel sorry for the jurors, the bailiffs and everyone who had to come (here today)."
However, one of Clem's attorneys was upset.
“His (Campbell) last DUI was almost twice the legal limit, he didn’t learn his lesson. Maybe this time he will," said Clem's attorney Stephen Diaco. "I hope he (Campbell) gets help. My partner and Greg Hearing were working hard on preparing this case last night. He doesn’t seem to be doing the same, and now we’re getting penalized for that.”
Kevin Hayslett, an attorney specializing in DUI, said this complicates things for the judge.
“I don’t expect him to declare a mistrial; I expect the show to go on. But obviously a criminal arrest for the plaintiff has implication, I mean you can’t make this stuff up,” he said.
Although the jury won’t be told about the arrest, Hayslett said it brings another element to the highly publicized trial.
“This arrest is going to cause...I hate the word sideshow, but it will be a sideshow to a circus in the courtroom, and it takes away from the goal," he said. "To get this thing concluded.”
Hayslett said the arrest doesn't prevent him from practicing law or continuing with the case but Campbell will have to report this to the Florida Bar.
As far as we know, Campbell will be back on Friday, when Michelle Schnitt is expected to take the stand.
Campbell is MJ’S lead attorney. If Campbell is convicted of his second DUI, he faces a minimum 10 days in jail, and his license would be suspended.
He could also be required to use the interlock device on his car, if he’s found guilty. Campbell’s first DUI was in the summer of 2008.
Schnitt is suing Clem and the BTLS Radio Network for what he said were "highly offensive, insulting or fighting words and defamatory statements" made in 2008.