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'Quit beating a dead horse': Petition to bar Anne Taylor from defending Bryan Kohberger falls flat

Anne Taylor was the attorney for at least one of the victims' family members but she dropped them as clients to pursue defending Bryan Kohberger

This article is based on sources, and MEAWW cannot verify this information independently.

IDAHO, MOSCOW: A petition has been filed on Change.org to ban Anne Taylor from representing Bryan Kohberger in the Idaho murder case. Bryan Kohberger is considered the suspect in killing four University of Idaho students, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Ethan Chapin, 20, and Xana Kernodle, 20.

Meanwhile, there have been various debates regarding the recent update in the gag order. A gag order was initially produced in this case by Latah County Magistrate Judge Megan Marshall. The order stated that it “prohibits any communication by investigators, law enforcement personnel, attorneys, and agents of the prosecuting attorney or defense attorney concerning this case,” as per Idaho Statesman. Meanwhile, the petition to ban Taylor has crossed more than 827 signatures.

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The recent update of the gag order claims all parties “are prohibited from making extrajudicial statements, written or oral, concerning this case, other than a quotation from or reference to, without comment, the public records.” To fight the same, the Goncalves family has also created a new Facebook page to update the case details. They have shared this petition on the page.

What are the claims against Anne Taylor on the petition page?

The petition states, "Anne Taylor, the chief of the Kootenai County public defender's office, began representing Kohberger, 28, after he was extradited in Idaho where he is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary, earlier in January. Taylor, who is chief of the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office, was the attorney for 1 (possibly 3) of the victims' family members only to drop them as clients to pursue defending their children's alleged killer, Bryan Kohberger. Taylor was defending Kohbergers alleged victims' families back in November 2022 only to drop them as clients once an official arrest was made on Kohberger."

It further claims, "Court records show Taylor filed an attorney withdrawal notice in Kootenai County Court for victim Kernodle's mother, Cara Kernodle, on January 5—the same day Kohberger made an initial appearance in the Latah County courtroom. Neama Rahmani, an attorney and former federal prosecutor, said there is 'a potential conflict of interest because Taylor presumably has to cross-examine the parent during the guilt or death penalty phase of the trial, if necessary'." Further, it states, "The public defender's role as the lawyer for a murder victim's parent where she now represents the alleged murderer––at a minimum––presents an appearance of a possible conflict. Anne Taylor filed a document asking the court to withdraw from representing her former client, one day after Bryan Kohberger was extradited to Idaho to face death penalty charges for the fatal stabbing of Xana Kernodle, her boyfriend Ethan Chapin, and two roommates, Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen in Moscow, Idaho."

Moreover, the petition also states, "A legal expert has warned that quadruple murder suspect Bryan Kohberger could have his conviction overturned if his current attorney does not recuse herself from the case – after a 'glaring' conflict of interest came to light. A legal expert is now calling for Taylor to recuse herself from the Kohberger case as he believes it could result in the suspected killer appealing any result in which he is found guilty. California Appellate and litigation lawyer Matthew Barhoma told DailyMail.com that Taylor seems to want to work on the case with Kohberger – describing it as an 'odd and unique' situation. There is a very high likelihood that the parents are going to testify in the trial, especially if it becomes a death penalty trial. 'The parents and the families are going to stand up in court and testify, and in that instance, Taylor would be cross-examining her own former client.' This is a MAJOR conflict of interest with possible, terrible repercussions. *PLEASE DO NOT DONATE MONEY, WE ARE ONLY LOOKING FOR SIGNATURES. THANKS TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU."

'Lol she’s not getting removed'

The Internet quickly reacted to the petition. A user stated, " Legit question: Was this started by someone with actual knowledge of the legal system ..?." Another said, "Lol she’s not getting removed." "She gave up other clients. There Is no conflict now," noted a user. Another claimed, "This is so wrong of you to do!." Another explained, "Wow you just do not stop it’s not your decision. It’s funny y’all (you 2) and your polls and petitions. (Screaming make me right - justify me and my opinions) try being silent for a bit."

A user stated, "A 'petition' no matter how many signatures it gets has no effect on the legal proceedings. I don't believe even the D.A. has asked for her removal. The longer she is attorney-of-Record the more likely she will remain so up to & through trial, or else there could be challenges." "This petition is meaningless. We have a court system for this. Stay out of it.," read a comment. "Don't get me started on lawyers & conflict of interest in Moscow.," wrote a user. Another said, "Quit beating a dead horse already."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.