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IN HILLBROOM’S LEGAL MALPRACTICE SUIT:
Lujan seeks delay of taking Hillbroom’s deposition
David J. Lujan has asked the federal court to change its schedule so he could take the deposition of his former client, Junior Larry Hillbroom.
Citing a number of cases he is handling, Lujan said it is unreasonable for him to depose Hillbroom in the latter’s lawsuit against him and attorney Barry J. Israel any earlier than November 2017.
Last Feb. 21, U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona set Aug. 1, 2017, as deposition notice deadline, Sept. 29, 2017 as conclusion of witness depositions, and Feb. 6, 2018, as jury selection and trial, among other schedules.
Lujan asked the court to reschedule at least the first five dates in order that he may depose Hillbroom.
Lujan noted that plaintiff is serving a 60-day sentence in Palau and is expected to be released on Aug. 17, 2017.
The lawyer said Hillbroom has not been available to be deposed at mutually convenient times.
Further, Lujan cited that he is scheduled to go to trial as defense counsel in six cases.
Israel recently also expressed doubt how the lawsuit can proceed given Hillbroom’s 60-day prison term and a pending drug case in Palau.
Israel, through counsel Theodore W. Frank, said the U.S. District Court for the NMI and the parties in Hillbroom’s lawsuit are in no better position now to determine how the Palau criminal cases will impede this civil case than they were at the last hearing on Feb. 21, 2017.
Frank said Hillbroom has a history of missing flights to Saipan and that Israel and Lujan have been trying to take his deposition for years.
Deposition refers to taking of a witness’ testimony outside of court.
Hillbroom recently pleaded guilty to escape in the second degree before the Supreme Court of the Republic of Palau Trial Division and was slapped with a 60-day prison term.
Hillbroom is one of the four DNA-proven children of the late business tycoon and DHL co-founder Larry Lee Hillblom. He was recaptured in Palau hours after he escaped from police’s custody on Feb. 9, 2016, just a few hours after he was arrested over the seizure of $160,000 worth of methamphetamine or “ice.”
Hillbroom’s name is spelled differently from DHL co-founder Hillblom.
