The Kansas Supreme Courtroom has barred Republican Kansas lawmaker Carl Maughan from working towards legislation for at the very least a yr as a result of his mishandling of conflicts of curiosity in a homicide case. Maughan represented Bret Blevins in a 2016 crash that killed two males and was discovered to have violated skilled requirements by inserting “an undue burden on assets of the prison justice system.” The conflicts of curiosity arose as a result of Maughan had beforehand represented Blevins’ girlfriend in DUI circumstances and accepted cash from her to defend Blevins. The courtroom dominated that the conflict-of-interest waivers Maughan had Blevins and his girlfriend signal have been insufficient.
Within the homicide case, Blevins was sentenced to greater than 60 years in jail in 2017 after being convicted of two counts of second-degree homicide. Nevertheless, the Kansas Courtroom of Appeals later dominated that he deserved a brand new trial as a result of Maughan’s conflicts of curiosity. Blevins in the end pleaded responsible to involuntary manslaughter and acquired a sentence of greater than 13 years in jail. Maughan introduced final month that he would drop out of the race for his Home seat, however his title will nonetheless seem on the first poll as a result of he missed the deadline to withdraw it.
Maughan can be presently dealing with two misdemeanors and two site visitors violations after a site visitors cease in Topeka in March. He was charged with possession of a firearm whereas below the affect, DUI, failure to sign a lane change, and failure to take care of secure passage from a single lane. Because of his authorized troubles, Maughan stepped down from his function as vice chair of the Home Judiciary committee. His lawyer within the Topeka case didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark.
General, Maughan’s dealing with of the homicide case and subsequent authorized points have raised questions on his conduct and professionalism as a lawmaker and lawyer. The Kansas Supreme Courtroom’s determination to bar him from working towards legislation for at the very least a yr highlights the seriousness of the conflicts of curiosity within the case. Maughan’s actions have had ramifications on each his authorized profession and his political future, along with his determination to drop out of the Home race and face a number of costs stemming from a site visitors cease. It stays to be seen how Maughan will handle these points and the way they may affect his future endeavors in each legislation and politics.