CONFLICT OF INTEREST? Internet mulls legality of Xana Kernodle's mom's lawyer Anne Taylor representing Bryan Kohberger
This story is based on sources and MEAWW is unable to verify the information independently.
MOSCOW, IDAHO: Public defender Anne Taylor, who is now representing Bryan Kohberger in Idaho murder trial, was previously assigned to a case involving Xana Kernodle's mother. Court records show Taylor withdrew as the attorney for Cara Kernodle on January 5.
Cara was arrested on November 19, just days after her daughter Xana's murder. Taylor had represented Cara in Kootenai County since then but withdrew as her counsel after more than a month when a judge appointed her as Kohberger's public defender, reports Inside Edition.
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Taylor's withdrawal from Cara's case and her assignment to Kohberger's case both occurred on the same day. Court records indicate that she was appointed Kohberger's counsel on the morning of January 5 and filed a brief for substitution of counsel later that afternoon. According to the documents, there was a small overlap with the two clients. Xana Kernodle's mother is currently listed on the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office's 'Active Wanted Persons' list and is charged with two felony counts of possession of a controlled substance.
Internet reacts to the news
People are not happy with her being assigned to Kohberger's case after she handled a case involving one of the victims' mother. One user on Reddit said, "Its massive conflict of interest." Another user said. "Seems like she should never have been assigned the case to begin with…" One user on Twitter said, "And that will delay the judiciary process longer for new counsel to prepare. She should face disciplinary consequences if this is true." One user claimed Taylor represented another victim's parent saying, "ACT has also allegedly represented another parent (stepparent, allegedly) of another victim in the past." One user said, "a grand jury will examine this case and it will likely end up tried in boise city. the felony burglary charge will hold bk bc his dna was found inside crime scene. taylor will not represent bk in a different county. everyone please calm down."
And that will delay the judiciary process longer for new counsel to prepare. She should face disciplinary consequences if this is true.
— Shazzy (@ShazzamomH) January 25, 2023
ACT has also allegedly represented another parent (stepparent, allegedly) of another victim in the past.
— Susan Broadwater (@SusanBroadwate2) January 25, 2023
a grand jury will examine this case and it will likely end up tried in boise city.
— La Jaconde (@La_Jaconde_1506) January 25, 2023
the felony burglary charge will hold bk bc his dna was found inside crime scene.
taylor will not represent bk in a different county.
everyone please calm down.
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.