The Collini–Leinen Relationship

The Collini Case

A wary professional relationship between lawyer and client grows into an exchange of trust, difficult testimony, and a final personal message.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

An Unwanted Lawyer An Unwanted Lawyer from "The Collini Case". An Unwanted Lawyer Refusal Collini tells Leinen he does not need a lawyer and says that he killed Meyer.

An Unwanted Lawyer from "The Collini Case". An Unwanted Lawyer Refusal Collini tells Leinen he does not need a lawyer and says that he killed Meyer.

An Unwanted Lawyer Refusal Collini tells Leinen he does not need a lawyer and says that he killed Meyer. Leinen explains that the law requires representation in a case this serious. A formal bond The relationship begins without warmth or trust. Leinen must protect a client who rejects both his help and the possibility of explaining himself.

The Disclosed Connection The Disclosed Connection from "The Collini Case". The Disclosed Connection A conflict made explicit Leinen tells Collini that he grew up with the Meyer family.

The Disclosed Connection from "The Collini Case". The Disclosed Connection A conflict made explicit Leinen tells Collini that he grew up with the Meyer family.

The Disclosed Connection A conflict made explicit Leinen tells Collini that he grew up with the Meyer family. He asks directly whether this connection is a problem for the defense. The client’s answer Collini says that Meyer is dead and the family no longer interests him. His indifference gives Leinen permission to continue, but not the emotional certainty the lawyer wanted.

A Small Thank You A Small Thank You from "The Collini Case". A Small Thank You A return to the room Collini stops in the corridor and goes back to thank Leinen for listening, apologizing for the difficulty of the case.

A Small Thank You from "The Collini Case". A Small Thank You A return to the room Collini stops in the corridor and goes back to thank Leinen for listening, apologizing for the difficulty of the case.

A Small Thank You A return to the room Collini stops in the corridor and goes back to thank Leinen for listening, apologizing for the difficulty of the case. The exchange is brief and restrained. A change in trust The gesture does not make Collini more forthcoming, but it recognizes Leinen as a person rather than a required legal function. Their working relationship gains a quiet human dimension.

Trust Under Oath Trust Under Oath from "The Collini Case". Trust Under Oath Giving Leinen the floor When the historic account reaches its most painful point, Collini tells Leinen to leave the matter to him.

Trust Under Oath from "The Collini Case". Trust Under Oath Giving Leinen the floor When the historic account reaches its most painful point, Collini tells Leinen to leave the matter to him.

Trust Under Oath Giving Leinen the floor When the historic account reaches its most painful point, Collini tells Leinen to leave the matter to him. He then speaks publicly about why he waited for his aunt’s death. Shared responsibility The statement gives Leinen a crucial part of Collini’s story, but the defendant claims ownership of his own explanation. Trust appears as the ability to let the client speak, not to speak for him.

The Photograph Left Behind The Photograph Left Behind from "The Collini Case". The Photograph Left Behind A personal bequest Leinen receives Collini’s photograph of his sister, accompanied by an apology.

The Photograph Left Behind from "The Collini Case". The Photograph Left Behind A personal bequest Leinen receives Collini’s photograph of his sister, accompanied by an apology.

The Photograph Left Behind A personal bequest Leinen receives Collini’s photograph of his sister, accompanied by an apology. The note is the most direct expression of feeling Collini has left him. Beyond the case file The gesture cannot repair the harm or change the trial’s ending. It gives Leinen a human image to carry beyond the legal record and the client’s silence.

At the initial remand hearing

At their first prison interview

After the first prison interview

During the later trial hearings

After Collini’s death in custody