OFF THE WIRE
agingrebel.com
Lisa Bifield, one of the prosecution’s most important witnesses in the Rock
Hell Angels case in Columbia, South Carolina might not testify after all.
The larger than life Bifield, who is married to the larger than life Diamond
Dan Bifield, has been described by numerous persons with knowledge of the case
as a “loose cannon” but prosecutors seem to have discovered this facet of her
personality only recently. Two days ago government attorneys were virtually
forced to dismiss charges against one of the original defendants in the case,
Somying Anderson, after Lisa Bifield changed her recollection of a cocaine deal
with a paid informant named Joe Dilulio.
Around the same time, Dan Bifield was telling anyone who would listen that he
didn’t think his wife would testify.
Attention HBO
The most remarkable thing about the case in Columbia, now called United
States versus Mark Baker et al., is that HBO Films hasn’t sent a
camera crew and a field producer to cover the trial. This has been an
extraordinary case so far: Astoundingly corrupt; its course warped by a tall,
supernaturally dark-haired, witch of a judge; exemplifying class warfare in the
new south; glamorized by good-old-boy Hells Angels; and at its heart a
compelling and constantly surprising love story featuring an old outlaw and an
aging club dancer.
Lisa Bifield convinced Diamond Dan Bifield to spend the rest of his life in
prison for her. The implications of who this woman might be seem to just now be
dawning on Julius N. “Jay” Richardson – the perfect, University of Chicago Law
School Grad and Supreme Court of the United States clerk who has spent too much
of his life polishing his career to have time to meet a woman as interesting as
Lisa. Even from a continent away it is obvious that this is Lisa Bifield’s world
and she will find a way to do what she wants with it.
There is, of course, a clause in Mrs. Bifield’s super secret plea deal that
compels her to testify in a cheerful and cooperative manner or stand trial
herself. Apparently Richardson never anticipated how much wiggle room that might
allow a woman like Lisa and what power she might exert over a jury. The golden
Assistant United States Attorney might put Lisa Bifield on the stand. He might
threaten her with decades in prison if she doesn’t parrot what he wants her to
say. But he has no more idea what Lisa is going to say or do next than anybody
else in the Carolinas. The one exception to that is her husband who knows her
better than anyone else. He thinks she will not testify which is why Richardson,
unless he really is as arrogant as he seems, might not even put her on the
stand.
Byrum
Meanwhile Ronald Dean Byrum Jr., who pled guilty to something or other as
part of a sealed plea deal on January 17, probably will testify at the trial
after it starts Monday. Byrum illustrates a basic axiom of motorcycle club
cases, which is that the real investigation doesn’t start until after everybody
is indicted.
Byrum has known lead defendant Mark Baker since Baker rode with the God’s Few
Motorcycle Club.
Byrum may have come to an agreement with prosecutors before Labor day.
Shortly after that, Baker and his old friend Byrum became cell mates. They
talked about the case for hours, looked over discovery together and almost
immediately Baker began to share information with Byrum.
Byrum has briefed investigators about his version of his conversations with
Baker. Byrum has also told investigators about possible criminal activity by
acquaintances of Baker’s who have not yet been indicted.
