By MATT MILNER Courier staff writer
September 04, 2008 12:27 am
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DES MOINES — A second defendant in July’s drug raids in Ottumwa will have a new attorney.
Timothy Ross-Boon, a federal defense attorney, asked for his removal as James Edwards’ attorney. Ross-Boon asked in court papers to withdraw “because of a conflict of interest,” though the details of that conflict were not named.
Prosecutors regard Edwards as one of the top figures in the alleged cocaine ring. He is the brother of William Edwards III, whom prosecutors say ran the ring out of The Dugout and the Plowboy, his Ottumwa bars.
On Tuesday the court named Keith Rigg as James Edwards’ attorney. The move is apparently in response to Ross-Boon’s application, but the filing does not indicate any specific reasons.
Ross-Boon’s request to withdraw came only two days after another attorney asked to step out of the case. Patrick Payton asked the court to relieve him of his duties as Rafael DeLazaro’s attorney. Payton cited disagreements about how to handle the defense as his reason for wanting to withdraw.
Court files do not yet show a response to that motion.
Another new filing impacts Jerry Miller, a third co-defendant in the case. Magistrate Judge Ross Walters ordered Miller held at the Ft. Des Moines halfway house pending his trial. Miller’s attorney had argued he could return to his father’s residence in Eldon and that he should be allowed to support his pregnant girlfriend. The couple’s child is due this month.
Walters indicated in his order that he would consider temporarily amending the terms of Miller’s detention for the birth of his child. The defense then asked the court to allow Miller to be present for the child’s birth, a request prosecutors did not oppose.
Walters filed an order on that subject last week, allowing Miller’s release “to be present during the delivery of his child at the Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines.” The order also allows Miller to remain with the mother and their child for four hours before returning to Ft. Des Moines.
All 10 defendants in the case are charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine, though authorities have indicated other charges could be filed. The investigation continues and more arrests are expected.
Matt Milner can be reached at (641) 683-5359 or via e-mail at mwmilner@mchsi.com
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