In an unexpected turn of events, Colorado's highest court has expelled Linda Stanley from her role as the 11th Judicial District Attorney, effective immediately.
The Colorado Supreme Court's decision to disbar Stanley came after finding her culpable of significant ethical violations regarding the handling of a high-profile case, as KUSA reports.
Stanley's removal was formalized last Friday when the Colorado Supreme Court ordered her disbarment. This consequence bars her from any fprm of legal practice within the state.
She is now required to provide an affidavit attesting to her compliance with this order within two weeks of the ruling.
In light of Stanley’s ouster, Jeff Lindsey has been chosen as her temporary replacement. Lindsey will serve until January, completing the remainder of Stanley’s term. Due to his status as the only candidate on the ballot for the upcoming election, he is poised to take over the position permanently in early 2025.
The pathway to Stanley's disbarment was paved by a disciplinary hearing that took place in June, with formal disbarment declared in September. The violations centered around a controversial murder case from 2021 involving Barry Morphew, whose wife, Suzanne Morphew, disappeared in 2020.
The charges against Stanley included serious allegations such as withholding critical evidence, unauthorized probing into the judge involved, and engaging with media personalities on unrelated legal matters.
Stanley attempted to contest her disbarment and requested a stay on the action that would extend through Jan. 14, when her term was slated to end.
Despite her arguments, the motion to delay the disbarment was declined. Prior to this, her initial appeal to postpone the disbarment was similarly unsuccessful, leaving her with no further options to retain her role.
Recent developments also brought resolution to misconduct allegations against prosecutors Mark Hurlbert and Robert Weiner. These officials, who collaborated with Stanley on the Morphew prosecution, addressed the concerns flagged by the Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel.
Barry Morphew had pursued a civil case claiming "malicious prosecution" against various parties involved in the investigation and prosecution within his wife’s case. This lawsuit sought $15 million but faced dismissal by a U.S. District Court judge in September, effectively closing another chapter of legal entanglement related to the Morphew ordeal.
The removal of Linda Stanley from office marks a significant shift in the judicial landscape of Colorado. Her disbarment stems from a high-profile case marked by ethical lapses, drawing considerable public attention.
The interim appointment of Jeff Lindsey ensures administrative continuity as developments continue. Meanwhile, Stanley’s attempts to delay the legal repercussions underscore the complexity of her predicament.
While Stanley grapples with her disbarment, the involved prosecutors have resolved their own issues related to the Morphew case. With the dismissal of the civil suit, intricate legal webs concerning this case continue to unravel.
