Accused Kidnapper's Attorney Defends His Role

BOSTON -- The attorney who represents accused kidnapper Clark Rockefeller dismissed criticism Wednesday that he is hurting his client by speaking publicly about him. The case is getting worldwide attention, and defense attorney Stephen Hrones has not been shy about giving interviews.

Hrones Talks About Rockefeller Case | Rockefeller Case Timeline In Pictures

"I'm the only one to defend him. His friends, all of them are laying low. They don't want to get involved. So I've got to stand up for him," said Hrones.

Hrones said there's been no harm done in admitting that Rockefeller was a tenant of John and Linda Sohus in California in 1985. The couple disappeared, and police always suspected foul play. Rockefeller, who was using the name Christopher Chichester at the time, left the area before he could be questioned.

"They can place him there. We're giving away nothing. They have many witnesses who place him there," said the attorney.

NewsCenter 5's Amalia Barreda reported that Los Angeles authorities have confirmed that Chichester is Clark Rockefeller. They have also confirmed that Rockefeller is really Christian Karl Gerhartsreiter, from a small town in Germany. He left as a teenager, and now claims to not remember a thing about his youth, including his family, who also has identified him.

"He's my client. I believe him. I know that people are saying that doesn't make sense. On the other hand, a lot of people have problems with memory," said Hrones.

The defense attorney admitted he is enjoying representing Rockefeller, which has put him in the limelight. He says it's a case any lawyer would love to have.

"Someone was telling me that if you wrote a novel based on this, the publisher would reject it. They would say, that's fantasy world," said Hrones.

Hrones said Rockefeller's use of aliases was not illegal and he didn't do it to defraud anyone.

California investigators traveled to Boston last week to question Rockefeller, but the defendant refused. Investigators said they would try to talk to him again sometime in the future. Hrones said he would again instruct his client not to talk.