Kehoe Case Conflict Seen By Attorney Lawyer Already Defending Former Fugitive’s Cellmate

The lawyer hired to defend a former fugitive against charges of shooting at three police officers said he’ll probably bow out of the case to avoid a conflict of interest.

Dayton lawyer Earl Moore said Monday he faces a potential conflict since he already represents Chevie Kehoe’s cellmate, Cameron Hawkins of Xenia.

Kehoe, of Colville, Wash., is being held on a $20 million bond on charges stemming from a Feb. 15 shootout with police near Wilmington. The shooting was caught on videotape shot from a cruiser and later broadcast around the country.

Hawkins is charged with attempted murder and aggravated robbery in an unrelated case for allegedly shooting at a shopping mall security guard.

Moore would have a conflict if prosecutors called Hawkins to testify about any statements Kehoe might have made to him in jail.

Assistant Clinton County prosecutor Rick Moyer raised the conflict of interest question Monday during a private meeting with Common Pleas Judge William McCracken.

Moyer did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

Moore said he planned to tell Kehoe to keep the public defenders who were appointed to his case last week.

“There are a lot of lawyers who will want to get into it for the publicity, and he’ll be fair game,” Moore said. “I feel the public defenders … can do a fine job. They are experienced.”

Moore said he visited Kehoe in jail last weekend.

“He’s closemouthed, he’s even careful what he says to me,” Moore said.

Kehoe, 24, and his brother Cheyne Kehoe, 21, also of Colville, Wash., are accused of shooting at officers in two separate shootouts after they were stopped near Wilmington. No officer was injured.

Cheyne Kehoe, in custody in Washington, is fighting extradition.

Shortly before they were sought by authorities, the brothers resided in Lincoln County, Mont., leaving early this year or in late 1996.

Moore said Kehoe maintains the gunfire was started by the Ohio state trooper who pulled him over, and by a Clinton County sheriff’s deputy who arrived to help.

“He told me the state trooper followed him around for about 15 or 20 minutes before he stopped him. He also tells me the sheriff’s deputy and the trooper shot at him first,” Moore said.

Ohio State Patrol Sgt. Brenda Collins declined to comment.

Chevie Kehoe allegedly resisted a patdown search, fled to his vehicle and was pursued by a state trooper and a deputy sheriff. As he got into the Suburban and drove away, passenger Cheyne Kehoe allegedly fired at the officers with a semiautomatic handgun and fled on foot.

Chevie Kehoe allegedly fired on a Wilmington police officer several minutes later.

The Kehoe brothers reportedly share interests in firearms, survivalist activities and anti-government and militia philosophies.