Haidl Gang Rape Notable Moment

Greg Haidl

​"Sit down and shut up."

--Orange County Superior Court Judge Francisco P. Briseno five years ago this week to Joseph Cavallo, the Irvine-based criminal defense lawyer who represented Gregory Haidl in the sensational videotaped gang rape case involving an unconscious 16-year-old girl. Cavallo called Jane Doe, the victim, "a slut" who masterminded the "disgusting, filthy, trashy" incident where the three defendants repeatedly shoved anatomical parts as well as a Snapple bottle, lit cigarette, apple juice can and a pool cue into her vagina, rectum and mouth.

The defendants--Haidl, Keith Spann and Kyle Nachreiner--were convicted and served portions of six-year prison sentences after apologizing. But they are now attempting to overturn the case so they don't have to register as sex offenders. Cavallo later lost his license to practice law after he was caught in an illegal financial scheme with local bail bonds agents. Haidl's father, Don--a former assistant sheriff, faces sentencing next month after the FBI and IRS caught him cheating on his taxes. He's not expected to serve any prison time because he helped federal prosecutors nab Sheriff Mike Carona who attempted to sabotage a grand jury investigating corruption at the top of the Orange County Sheriff's Department.