More than two weeks after the disappearance of 11-month-old Lisa Irwin, her parents now have a well-known defense attorney from New York City representing them.
Joe Tacopina, who represented the prime suspect in the Natalee Holloway mystery in Aruba, traveled to Kansas City, Mo., on Monday to meet with Lisa's parents, Deborah Bradley and Jeremy Irwin, for the first time at the home where they are now staying.
"In my mind, there is no question they had nothing to do with the disappearance of their little girl," Tacopina told reporters. "I'm optimistic and confident at the end of the day the truth will come out and speculation will be put to rest."
Tacopina said he's been in contact with Lisa's parents over the phone since last week.
"They have nothing to hide. They are looking for answers. I believe these people, I really do," he said.
Tacopina's resume is full of high-profile cases, including defending Joran Van der Sloot in Aruba after Holloway's disappearance. During a 2008 interview with Fox News, Tacopina said, "I stand by the notion that the investigation regarding the disappearance of Natalee Holloway has not led to Joran. That's the bottom line. No one expects anyone to believe anything this kid has to say anymore. ... Quite frankly, he's on the verge of sociopath and despicable."
More recently, Tacopina defended former NYPD officer, Kenneth Moreno, accused of raping a fashion executive. Moreno was later acquitted.
Tacopina refused to disclose who specifically is paying him to represent Lisa's parents, who recently told Fox News they could not afford to pay their cellphone bills. Deborah Bradley's cousin, Michael Larette, says he and Lisa's parents chose Tacopina because he came highly recommended by several people, including Bill Stanton, a private investigator from New York who has been working as a media consultant for Lisa's family.
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