Dan Halloran’s lawyer says he just found out client had brain tumor removed

Seth Wenig/ASSOCIATED PRESS A lawyer for eccentric former City Councilman Daniel Halloran said he just learned last week that his client had a brain tumor removed in 2012.

A lawyer for eccentric former City Councilman Daniel Halloran said he just learned last week that his client had a brain tumor removed in 2012.

Lawyers for Halloran, who’s charged in a bribery plot to put Queens state Sen. Malcolm Smith on 2013 mayoral ballot, had asked Judge Kenneth Karas to consider allowing them to use an insanity defense when the case goes to trial in White Plains next week.

Halloran’s lawyer, Vinoo Varghese, said he just found out last week about the surgery and suggested it might have impacted his decision-making ability.

“I’m not in anyway saying he’s insane. We’re exploring it a potential defense,” Varghese said.

Mike Groll/AP Lawyers for Halloran, who’s charged in a bribery plot to put Queens state Sen. Malcolm Smith on 2013 mayoral ballot, had asked Judge Kenneth Karas to consider allowing them to use an insanity defense when the case goes to trial in White Plains next week.

The judge said he’d consider the request, but chided the lawyer for bringing it up at the 11th hour. Varghese said Halloran had just mentioned the surgery to him last week. “He doesn’t share those things,” Varghese said of his client, who’s involved in a neo-pagan religion that involves public flogging and spear throwing.

Meanwhile, Smith’s lawyer, Gerald Shargel, told the judge he no longer plans to use audiotapes of his client rejecting proposals for “unlawful acts” by former state senator Shirley Huntley. “We decided not to go down that road,” Shargel said.

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