Medford due back in court, Jan. 3

Federal Magistrate Judge Dennis Howell denied attorney Bob Long’s assertion that he could provided adequate representation for defendants Bobby Medford and Jackie Shepherd during a two hour hearing, Dec. 27. Medford and Shepherd face prosecution in related cases concerning illegal gambling in Buncombe County and Howell expressed a strong belief that a conflict of interest was possible, perhaps inevitable. If nothing else, he noted, attorney-client privilege might prevent Long from using information he obtained from one client to clear or implicate the other, or prevent his pursuit of some line of questioning if either man took the stand in the other’s trial.

Howell stated that his review of assets and income as provided in the federal indictment suggested that Medford might qualify for a court-appointed attorney, or at least partially so, and ordered Medford to complete a financial disclosure affidavit. A court officer, Medford and Long collaborated to complete the form, and after submission, Howell ruled that the defendant was eligible for partial financial support. He ordered Medford to appear before him for appointment, Thursday, Jan. 3.

Howell indicated that he will consult with the public defender’s office, but will offer Medford and Long a list of private attorneys who are fully qualified to provide defense against “very serious charges.”

~ by bothwellsblog on December 29, 2007.