Lovelace Case Takes A Strange Twist New Bonner County Prosecutor Could Defend Confessed Murderer In Court

Attorney Phil Robinson has handled his share of bizarre cases during the past 26 years, and he added another to his list Tuesday.

Robinson is defending confessed murderer Faron Lovelace, who has asked to be put to death for his crime.

The problem?

Robinson was elected Bonner County prosecutor last week. He will take office Jan. 13.

“I could be the only elected prosecutor who ends up defending a capital murder case,” Robinson said. “But who knows? The whole case could be over by then.”

The conflict involving Robinson was brought up in court Tuesday by Tevis Hull, the current prosecutor.

Hull asked a judge to remove Robinson from the case. He said Lovelace will not stand trial until after Robinson takes over as prosecutor, and it would be unethical for Robinson to stay on as defense attorney, Hull said.

Hull later withdrew his request after Robinson said the only person in the courtroom who would not be on hand for Lovelace’s trial was Hull, the ousted prosecutor.

Robinson said he plans to continue representing Lovelace after he takes office. He expects the Idaho attorney general’s office to step in and prosecute the case.

“There is no way I could prosecute it, and someone other than me will have to take it over,” Robinson said.

It’s possible there may not be a trial as Lovelace could plead guilty to the murder, according to the attorneys.

Lovelace, a self-described “bigot” and white supremacist, admitted killing 24-year-old Jeremy Scott more than a year ago. Lovelace, 39, killed the man he believed was a government informer with one shot to the back of his head.

Lovelace then buried Scott’s body in a shallow grave. He confessed after being caught in Bonner County, where he was hiding out after escaping from a Wisconsin prison.

Lovelace’s confession was videotaped. He told authorities where to find Scott’s body only after they agreed to seek the death penalty for him.

, DataTimes