A US Attorney has been sentenced to eight and a half years for trying to persuade a string of people to murder Brian Hegg, an ex-client.

Jason W Smeikel's efforts won't trouble the Sopranos. After his first candidate ran off with the $8k fee and the second panicked and went to the feds, Smiekel's final pick, an undercover agent, arrested him. In court Smiekel's attorney said the hapless lawyer "went off the deep end" after becoming convinced that Hegg, who once dated his fiancee, was out to ruin his life. Before being sentenced Smiekel graciously promised "100 per cent that I will never repeat those actions." Though given Smiekel's dismal attempts so far Hegg probably didn't have much to worry about.

Smeikel's first choice hitman yesterday

And in New York a born-again Christian attorney, Dominic Barbara, has been charged with attempting to blackmail his ex-wife for $200,000. Barbara, who makes a living representing tabloid fodder like Michael Lohan, threatened to expose an affair he claims she was having with her married boss.

Prosecuters allege that Barbara, a regular guest on shock jock Howard Stern's show, called and texted his ex-wife for six months with extortion demands. When that didn't work he is accused of widening his net to her boss and friends. Then he vowed to unveil explicit photos of the pair at a press conference. On the court steps Barbara, who is acting for himself, said "I happen to be with Christ. I forgive her." Which is very generous, and will no doubt convince the jury to let him off the larceny, harrassment and stalking charges he is now facing, with Christ.