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Public Defender Adams to retire Thursday

In this Oct. 12, 2006, SR file photo, John Adams, Kootenai County Chief Public Defender, consults with Bill Douglas, then Kootenai County prosecuting attorney, left, before a hearing in the case against child murderer/kidnapper Joseph Edward Duncan. (Kathy Plonka/SR file photo)
By D.F. Oliveria daveo@spokesman.com(509) 319-0354
In this Oct. 12, 2006, SR file photo, John Adams, Kootenai County Chief Public Defender, consults with Bill Douglas, then Kootenai County prosecuting attorney, left, before a hearing in the case against child murderer/kidnapper Joseph Edward Duncan. (Kathy Plonka/SR file photo)
In this Oct. 12, 2006, SR file photo, John Adams, Kootenai County Chief Public Defender, consults with Bill Douglas, then Kootenai County prosecuting attorney, left, before a hearing in the case against child murderer/kidnapper Joseph Edward Duncan. (Kathy Plonka/SR file photo)

Kootenai County commissioners’ news release:

John M. Adams, Public Defender, has announced his intention to retire from public service. After leading the charge in indigent defense in Kootenai County for the past 20 years, effective Thursday, Mr. Adams will begin the next chapter of his life.

Mr. Adams has been an institution in indigent defense in Idaho for more than 30 years and has served Kootenai County as the Chief Public Defender since 1996. Guided by his steadfast pledge to uphold the constitutional rights of his clients, he has built what has been described as the best public defense office in the state. He has demonstrated a fearless commitment to protecting the Sixth Amendment Rights of not only his clients, but also the community he has served. He has soldiered on despite receiving threats of death, arrest, and an attempt to fire him. More here.

* This story was originally published as a post from the blog "Huckleberries Online." Read all stories from this blog