Commissioner Takes Issue With Defenders’ Dismissal Judge Asks Private Attorney To Defend Man In Murder Case

Latah County commissioners warn they will oppose a judge’s order to appoint a new public defender for a University of Idaho student charged with killing his infant daughter.

Second District Judge John Stegnar approved the appointment of Jim Siebe to defend David Pettit on a first-degree murder charge. The county’s contracted public defenders have stated conflicts of interest and inexperience as reasons for appointing an attorney able to handle a capital case.

Pettit is accused of causing 15-week-old Rebekkah Pettit’s fatal brain injuries, which were consistent with being violently shaken.

Appointing Siebe means the county will be responsible for Siebe’s $60-per-hour bill. The commissioners already have a $130,000 contract with public defenders Steve Mahaffy, Greg Dickison and Brian Thie. All three have declined to take the case.

Commissioner Harry DeWitt said the county will not pay more for another public defender. If the three attorneys feel they cannot do the job, Siebe’s salary should come from their contract, he said.

Mahaffy is the only lawyer without a conflict, but told Stegnar he is not qualified to be Pettit’s counsel.

“Mahaffy is under contract to do it himself,” DeWitt said. “And if he’s not qualified, he should find someone that is qualified and pay for it himself.”

The county contract says attorneys can be excused only if there is a legal or ethical conflict found by the court.