Accused Ponzi schemer Allen Stanford changed lawyers for what I believe to be the fourth time today (with at least eleven lawyers involved in the four switches). His defense is now being handled by Houston criminal defense attorney Mike Essmyer and Houston consumer lawyer Robert S. Bennett.

His most recently deposed lawyer, Kent Schaffer, seemed to be more relieved than anything else, and told reporters after today's hearing removing him that he and his colleagues were happy to be leaving the case: “I feel great, just like I did after my first divorce.”

The Texas Lawyer reports that Stanford also sorely tested the patience of Judge David Hittner during today's hearing. After Stanford would not respond to Hittner's questions about his new attorneys with "yes-and-no" answers as requested, Hittner told Stanford to "Have a seat!" When Stanford later told the court that he believed he had the right to pick his own counsel, the court replied, "Over and over again?" Judge Hittner then warned Stanford that there was no guarantee he would approve further additions to his legal team.

Outgoing attorney Schaffer added that "Mr. Stanford is seeking lawyers more willing to follow orders than we will. You got a good taste today [in the hearing] of what we've been dealing with."