Robes, Receipts & Attorney Abuse

Yesterday, Cincinnati showed its true colors, and if you have a weak stomach for backroom deals and blatant self-promotion, you should probably look away. We just watched a textbook example of how the game is played when the "elite" decide to swipe money from the desperate and use a human being as a political footstool.

Let’s talk about Jacob Goodwin.

In 2017, Goodwin was an armed robber. In 2019, he pleaded guilty. But the real "rub"—the part that makes this a quintessential Cincinnati story—is that Goodwin was a cop. He wore the badge in Elmwood Place, Newtown, and Aberdeen. And when a former cop wants out of the cage early, he doesn’t just hire a lawyer; he tries to buy a "fix."

Goodwin walked into court represented by Alex Triantafilou—the Chair of the Ohio & Hamilton County Republican Party—and Brian Goldberg. Now, everyone has a right to counsel, but let's use some common fucking sense. Triantafilou doesn’t spend his days as a Dinsmore Partner grinding out criminal motions. Bringing in the head of the GOP and a heavy-hitter like Goldberg means Goodwin likely shelled out a minimum of $5,000 to each. For a judicial release motion? That’s a $10,000 bet on a $2,000 play.

Goodwin thought he was buying "influence." But based on my 10+ years in high-level defense and knowing the rot in Hamilton County politics, I’ll tell you exactly what happened: They took his money, they took the publicity, and they knew damn well he was never going to walk. They sold him a dream of freedom, cashed the checks, and are probably raising a glass to Judge McDowell for denying the motion so they can keep their "tough on crime" street cred intact.

The Bench and the Ballot Box

Then we have Judge Christopher McDowell. Appointed by Governor DeWine after he got absolutely smoked by Judge Luebbers in the last election—we’re talking losing like a 4-year-old toddler playing one-on-one against a teenage brother—McDowell is now desperate for a win. He’s up for election in 2026, and the Party is doing everything they can to keep him in the spotlight.

I’ve worked with McDowell. I’ve done trials with him. I’ve personally heard this man make some of the most racist, outlandish comments about defendants behind closed doors that would make your skin crawl. I stand on that. With receipts. Goodwin’s team tried to paint his prison "blemishes" as "slip-ups." Then, in struts County Prosecutor Connie Pillich, personally arguing the motion because she can’t pass up a microphone. She’s lecturing about drugs and phones in prison like she’s a saint. Listen, people do what they have to do to survive a cage. Pillich knows that, but she’s not there for justice; she’s there for the press release.

The Price of Political Propaganda

McDowell could have denied this in writing. He could have left the door open for a refile before Goodwin's 2031 release date. Instead, he staged a theatrical production.

The Judge, the Prosecutor, and even the Defense team used a man’s life as pure political propaganda to keep their names in the headlines. Goodwin paid the price—in cash and in years.

Make that shit make sense. You can’t. It’s a rigged game, and the house always wins.