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On the Docket
James Spears Unfit for Britsitting?

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THE ONLY ONE NOT IN THE DEBATE Spears (Photo: Getty Images)
Father-conservator Jamie Spears has engaged in "significant verbal attacks" against Britney, according to the latest round of claims by Jon Eardley, an attorney who says he now represents troubled singer.

Eardley filed a motion late Friday in U.S. District Court's Los Angeles Division in an effort to convince a judge to make a federal case out of what he says are violation of the pop star's rights. The motion alleges:

• Britney has been "denied her fundamental rights to associate freely and and to utilize telephones and other methods of communication with the outside world." (Others have offered arguments the to contrary.)

• "The conservatorship has taken away significant liberties from [Britney]. She has been in a form of private confinement for a month."

• "There are financial issues which involve the possible misappropriation of assets."

• "In addition, her counsel has learned that there has been significant verbal attacks by her live-in father conservator and is concerned for the emotional and physical safety of Britney, under these circumstances."

While not the first accusations hurled at Jamie—practically anything can be alleged in court documents—Eardly goes on to cite a slew of legal precedents that back up his claims of civil rights violations (including due process), right to counsel of her own choosing and the right to meet with that counsel in private, the right to a fair trial, and more. With more time, Eardley writes, he'll offer the court evidence of money theft from Spears. In closing, he asks that the motion to put her in conservatorship be yanked or that Britney herself be allowed to attend a hearing in state court asap.

Eardley also states clearly in the new motion that he is, without a doubt, Spears legitimate counsel, that he was retained by her on or about February 12, 2008, and that he has "spoken with her on several occasions. The last time she attempted to call me, the telephone was taken away from her, and the number was disconnected the next day."

By Tyler Gray   02/25/08 3:43 PM
Related: Britney Spears, Jamie Spears, On the Docket, Pop
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