Smells a little to me like the guy didn't want to tow the...

Smells a little to me like the guy didn't want to tow the company line on something that may have been a bit fishy, and had to be 'taken out'.

Maybe he didn't agree to be blackmailed and is copping the consequences? Or maybe he was going to blow the whistle on something a bit sinister occurring in the hallowed halls of the judicial-ites (or a politician-ie type)?

Could he possibly have been opposed to the military tribunals and loss of judicial equity for 'enemy combatants', or loss of civil rights of the people due to their new Patriot laws, and was planning on voicing those opinions?

Or, maybe he is simply just a wacko who likes to do a lot of whacking, so to speak.

either way, it just goes to show, in recent times, the US judicial system has really gone below the belt, and is now all about dealing low blows.