A Colorado district attorney is facing potential disbarment following a high-profile murder case that has sparked outrage over alleged negligence and mishandling of crucial information. District Attorney Linda Stanley of the 11th Judicial District in Colorado has come under fire for her role in the prosecution of Barry Morphew, whose wife disappeared during a bike ride in May 2020.
The disciplinary hearing board recommended disbarment for Stanley, citing her failure to oversee the murder prosecution effectively. The case took a dramatic turn when prosecutors failed to provide sufficient expert witness information to the defense, resulting in the exclusion of key experts from the trial. As a result, the charges against Morphew were dropped in April 2022, just days before the trial was set to begin.
One of the major issues highlighted by the board was Stanley’s initiation of a baseless domestic-abuse investigation against the presiding judge who had barred several expert witnesses from testifying. This move was seen as an attempt to undermine the judge’s credibility and integrity in the case. Additionally, Stanley made improper remarks to the media in both the Morphew case and another fatal child-abuse case, further raising concerns about her conduct and professionalism.
The Morphew case was plagued by discovery issues, with a massive amount of disorganized information being delivered to prosecutors on a hard drive by the sheriff’s office. Despite efforts to integrate the material into an e-discovery platform, bandwidth issues and lack of organization hampered the process. The lead prosecutor on the case resigned in October 2021, citing feeling overwhelmed and taxed by the demands of the case.
Stanley’s lack of oversight and failure to designate a new lead counsel after the resignation of the prosecutor only added to the confusion and disorganization of the case. The hearing board criticized her for not ensuring that her team interviewed experts, reviewed reports, and disclosed all relevant information to the defense in a timely manner. This lack of attention to detail and failure to address critical issues led to a breakdown in the case, with the prosecution ultimately unable to present a strong case against Morphew.
Despite the mounting challenges and setbacks in the case, Stanley reportedly paid little attention to the escalating problems and instead relied on other lawyers to handle the crisis. This failure to take charge and address the issues head-on was seen as a significant failure on Stanley’s part, ultimately leading to the unraveling of the case.
In a dissenting opinion, panel member Sherry A. Caloia expressed concern over the extensive scrutiny and criticism the Morphew case had received. Caloia argued for a lesser punishment of a two and a half-year suspension rather than disbarment, citing Stanley’s reliance on experienced lawyers to handle the case. However, the majority of the hearing board concluded that Stanley’s actions constituted a serious breach of her supervisory duties and ethics, warranting disbarment.
Stanley, a former police officer and truck driver who graduated from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in 2010, has maintained that she acted ethically and in good faith throughout the case. Her lawyer, Steve Jensen, has stated that they disagree with the decision and are considering an appeal. Jensen also pointed out the challenges Stanley faced as a district attorney in a rural area with limited resources and experience in handling high-profile cases.
The case has raised questions about the accountability and responsibility of prosecutors in ensuring fair and just legal proceedings. The potential disbarment of Stanley serves as a stark reminder of the importance of upholding ethical standards and overseeing cases with diligence and care. As the legal community awaits the final decision on Stanley’s fate, the implications of this high-profile case continue to reverberate within the legal system.
