Steele Asks For New Trial

The recently disbarred lawyer who defended North Idaho attorney Edgar Steele at his murder-for-hire trial says he acted ineffectively because he was distracted by his own legal problems.

Robert McAllister said his thinking process during Steele’s trial in Boise, which ended with his conviction on all counts in May, was disrupted by the pending disbarment proceeding in Colorado, which stemmed from allegations that he embezzled money from clients .

“…I assumed I could perform was well as I had performed previously, not understanding the full extent that the prospect of disbarment would have on me,” McAllister wrote.

McAllister’s statement is included in a 50-page motion for a new trial filed this week in U.S. District Court in Coeur d’Alene.  Read more of Megann Cuniff’s story here.

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