Old Joe has decided to use the old “I know nothing.” defense for years now. Of course the words were made famous by John Banner in the character of Sgt Schultz on the relatively popular Hogan’s Heroes. Of course it was not always the same. Sometimes it was, “I hear nothing.” or “I see nothing.”

For quite a while now, it appeared that the method was going to work for Old Joe but here lately, it would appear that the defense is starting to fall apart. That is to say, it is developing cracks. Like, “If you knew nothing, why did you keep getting money from Hunter’s business deals.” “Why does Hunter complain that Pops keeps taking half of it.” “If you know nothing, why are you so quick to deny anything to do with what Hunter does or says.”

Actually, the defense is far older than Hogan’s Heroes. I don’t know who first used the defense but it started with the words, “Plausible deniability.” It is at least as old as Al Capone and I am sure he learned of it from some of his friends. The idea is simple. You let the thugs do all the bad stuff and you never soil your fingers with it. If your thugs get caught, they are punished and you go free. You provide a good lawyer for the thugs. If they get convicted, no big deal. They get a big payoff when they leave the big-house.

This one just might have a few twists though. I don’t think Hunter likes the idea of going to prison. Before he is locked up, we just might find out how well he sings.

There is one other aspect that is different. Old Joe just might not outlive the deal. After all he is getting old. He is losing his mind. Even if Hunter does turn state’s evidence, Old Joe just might be found incapable of assisting in his defense. You can’t convict a man like that. At best, you can confine him to a place where… hum m. Just where do you confine folks who are guilty but you can’t prove it. The old man just might get away with it yet. He just might have a big laugh from that old folks home, the one with the view and the eight-man staff just for him. That is of course, beside the secret service agents.