I'm not saying this is what it's happening here, but I swear I recall a story of a lawyer who knew his client was guilty and wanted him to be put away for life, but defended them to the best of his ability to ensure that they wouldn't get a mistrial on the basis of Ineffective Assistance of Counsel.

Half the country thinks he was actively defending himself from an active shooter. They’re wrong, obviously. But to suggest that social pressure should make him unrepresentable is ridiculous.