Have any of you read The Bonfire of the Vanities? I've read it so many times I almost have it memorized. I was looking in the closet for my copy last night and couldn't find it. I might want to reread it. It's a work of fiction, so it doesn't help with sleuthing, but if you are interested in this case I recommend you read it, if nothing else you will find it fascinating. The movie is so different from the book that I don't recommend it.
Yes, this is right out of The Bonfire of the Vanities. One of the novel's themes is ambitious DA's always on the lookout for The Great White Defendant. In real life, such as this week, it is the national media.