The lawyer for the mother of slain 7-year-old Nixzmary Brown removed himself from her defense yesterday, citing “communication difficulties.”
Robert Abrams, who has represented accused mom Nixzaliz Santiago since she was charged with murder in 2006, said his client blamed him for sharing a psychiatric report on her with lawyers for her husband.
“She believed that when I gave the psych report to the defense lawyers, that that would hurt her,” Abrams said. “I knew it wouldn’t.”
Justice Priscilla Hall is still weighing whether the husband, Cesar Rodriguez, may use that psych report in his own defense in his ongoing trial. Abrams defended his decision. He noted that at the time, he and lawyers for Rodriguez, who is to be tried separately, were actively sharing information.
The lawyer also cited differences over Santiago invoking the Fifth Amendment when she was called to testify on Rodriguez’s behalf earlier this month.