11th Judicial District Attorney Linda Stanley is appealing a ruling from a state disciplinary board that has ordered her disbarment. The decision stems from Stanley’s conduct during the high-profile prosecution of Barry Morphew in the murder trial of his missing wife, Suzanne Morphew.
The state disciplinary judges found that Stanley made inappropriate statements to the media, failed to adequately supervise the case, and initiated a retaliatory criminal investigation into Judge Ramsey Lama over rulings unfavorable to her prosecution. Ultimately, the murder charges against Barry Morphew were dismissed.
Stanley’s appeal challenges whether there is clear and convincing evidence that she violated professional conduct rules and questions if disbarment is the appropriate penalty. One of the three judges in the ruling recommended a lesser sanction, such as suspension, which the appeal will argue should be considered.
In related developments, two prosecutors who worked with DA Stanley on the Morphew case, Mark Hulbert and Robert Weiner, have been publicly censured. The Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel brought complaints against them for their involvement in the case, including participating in the secret investigation of Judge Lama and his family. As part of their settlement, Hulbert and Weiner will pay nearly $5,000 in administrative fees and other costs.
The appeal process for Stanley’s disbarment is ongoing, and its outcome could further shape the legacy of the Morphew case, which has already drawn widespread attention and scrutiny.
