Box Turtle Bulletin
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News and commentary about the anti-gay lobbySeptember 17th, 2013
Remember Andrew Shirvell?
He was that conservative Catholic who came out of Ave Maria Law School and went to work as an assistant attorney general for Michigan AG Mike Cox (R). Ya know, the 32 year old single fellow who decided to closely monitor the radical homosexual agenda of Christopher Armstrong, the handsome young student body president at Michigan State.
The one who dedicated a blog to exposing Armstrong’s evil homosexuality (chris-armstrong-watch.blogspot.com) and who was so committed to observing Armstrong that he followed him around with a camera and crouched in his bushes and tried to look in his windows. To report on Armstrong’s radical homosexual agenda.
Well the last time we mentioned Andrew, it wasn’t good news. A jury had just awarded a 4.5 million dollar verdict to Armstrong in his civil suit against Shirvell for stalking. Although Andrew served as his own attorney, and even questioned his client on the stand, he wasn’t able to get by the slippery questions of Deborah Gordon, Armstrong’s attorney.
Well, it turns out that I missed a little detail from the story. It seems that back in October 2011, Shirvell became convinced that everyone was in a conspiracy to get him. And the conspiracy centered around Gordon, who Sirvell asserted knew the people at the AG’s office who investigated him before he was fired.
So he sued Gordon for defamation. She was trying to destroy his image and besmirch his character. She said horrible things about him like that Shirvell was a “rebel without a clue” and he didn’t want anyone to think he’s a rebel. And she caused him emotional distress. And so the lawsuit began.
In the meanwhile, in late December last year there was some good news on the legal front. Although his former buddies at the Attorney General’s office and the folks at the unemployment administration sought otherwise, a judge ruled that he could keep his unemployment benefits. Which, I’m certain, made for a very happy New Year.
Well, this week Andrew found the latest legal determination. But this time it was not particularly good news. (AP)
Detroit federal Judge Arthur Tarnow on Tuesday said Deborah Gordon’s comments about Andrew Shirvell were either true or opinions and showed no malice. He dismissed the case.
So it looks like Gordon will not be helping him pay his judgment. But, hey, he has those unemployment payments and lots of free time and, who knows, maybe he’ll sue the judge. Or, if he hasn’t picked up other better employment, I bet the anti-radical-homosexual-agenda law groups could use another attorney. He’s certainly as qualified as Mat Staver or Matt Barber.
Actually, tossing the case may be the best Shirvell could hope for. Part of his claim was that Gordon described him as a “troubled and immature young man” and that he “seems to be delusional”, which Shirvell asserted was defamatory. So Gordon asked the judge to resolve that matter of dispute by have Shirvell examined by a psychiatrist or psychologist so as to see whether her statements were defamatory. And while there is little doubt that Shirvell could benefit from therapy or perhaps medication, one has to be willing to accept help for it to be beneficial.
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Chas B
September 17th, 2013
Wasn’t there a filing to reconsider the unemployment benefits? If so, is that still pending or also tossed?
Phil
September 17th, 2013
“He who represents himself has a fool for a client†– Abraham Lincoln.
Sir Andrew
September 17th, 2013
Please don’t post any more stories like this. I laughed so hard i think I hurt myself. In fact, I believe I may have literally bust a gut, in which case you’ll be hearing from my attorney.
MattNYC
September 18th, 2013
I believe that BTB is in a conspiracy with Mr. Shirvell to inflict humor-caused injury on its readers.
He has been disbarred already, no?
I see a long future ahead of him on the faculty of Liberty U’s “law school.” He may very well already be qualified to be their dean.
MattNYC
September 18th, 2013
Speaking of humour-related injuries, are we absolutely SURE this is not an Andy Kaufman-esque stunt by Tony Hale:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0355024/
Separated at Birth???
Bose in St. Peter MN
September 18th, 2013
Shirvell remains an active member of the Michigan bar, despite Gordon’s petition for his disbarment, but he moved to North Babylon NY, a 600+ mile drive from Michigan, in 2011. It’s safe to say his very google-friendly history in MI hasn’t been good for the legal career.
In 2011, a year before Gordon requested the psych eval, Shirvell’s former boss, Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox, said, “[H]is immaturity and lack of judgment outside the office is clear.â€
Gotta love Shirvell’s 2010 Daily Show appearance…
jerry
September 18th, 2013
I thought I was going to see a report that said the man is now comfortably ensconced in a rubber room with a sufficient supply of happy pills and will never be heard from again.
Christopher
September 18th, 2013
It saddens me that Shirvell is a deeply troubled individual who hasn’t gotten the help he needs.
But then when I read a statement by Tony Perkins or Brian Brown or anyone of their ilk I hear it in Shirvell’s voice, and I’m grateful for that.
customartist
September 18th, 2013
So there IS karma after all
Mens sana
September 18th, 2013
I’m guessing that Shirvell would refuse to participate in something like the UGeorgia study on homophobia and sexual arousal.
MattNYC
September 18th, 2013
@Mens sana
I suspect that they may need a nanosecond calibration on their devices…
NorthShoreGeorge
September 18th, 2013
Shirvell worked for Attorney General Mike Cox. Shirvell was also Cox’s campaign manager for Cox’s re-election. Cox was behind Michigan’s 2004 constitutional gay marriage ban. Cox spoke about the sanctity of marriage but then it was learned he was having an affair with a female staffer. So much for the sanctity of Cox’s marriage. Cox also initially refused to discipline Shirvell. So while Shirvell has his problems, Mike Cox is far more dangerous.
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