Attorney Who Disappeared Is Described

Community Defenders Inc. released a photograph Friday of attorney Carol Brawley, who disappeared Tuesday, minutes before she was due in court to continue her defense of a Dulzura woman charged with the murder of her common-law husband.

Brawley, 41, has been with the legal agency as a criminal defense lawyer for indigents for 2 1/2 years. Fellow workers said that her purse, with identification papers, was found in her Hillcrest home.

Brawley’s 1978 red Toyota pickup with a white camper shell also is gone, fellow workers said. The license plate number of the missing truck is 3F37258.

Brawley has shoulder-length blond hair and blue eyes, is about 5 foot 5 and weighs about 140 pounds.

Superior Court Judge G. Dennis Adams declared a mistrial in the murder case and issued a warrant for Brawley’s arrest Wednesday after she failed to appear in court for the second consecutive day.

Adams pointed to earlier absences and tardiness by Brawley, and incidents of “unprofessional” behavior in citing her for contempt of court.

Alex Landon of Community Defenders said he had seen no indication of such behavior by Brawley and described her as hard-working and dedicated.