The State - News from May 5, 1985

A state appeal court in Sacramento reversed the felony conviction of a man who complained that his court-appointed defense lawyer was dating the prosecutor during the trial. David Jackson of Red Bluff, who was sentenced in 1981 to a five-year prison term for attempted rape and assault with a deadly weapon, remained free during the appeal. In its 3-0 opinion, the court noted that the defense attorney and the prosecutor met on a regular basis throughout the trial. The court cited various decisions that support a criminal defendant’s right to know about possible conflicts of interest involving his legal counsel. It also cited a State Bar rule requiring that an attorney disclose any relationship with an opposing party before accepting professional employment.