SSCC Hancock

A prosecutor from Hancock County admitted Monday morning to a state supreme court justice that she violated rules of the Maine Bar when she prosecuted a former Gouldsboro man on gross sexual assault and misdemeanor assault charges.

Mary Kellett, assistant district attorney for Hancock County, appeared Monday before Justice Ellen Gorman after the Maine Board of Overseers of the Bar recommended late last year that she be suspended. A board grievance panel met in Bangor last fall to consider a misconduct complaint filed against Kellett by Vladek Filler and determined that Kellett had violated seven bar rules in handling Filler’s assault case. The board’s recommendation that Kellett be suspended is the only such recommendation that board staff can recall for a prosecutor in Maine, according to Jacqueline Rogers, executive director of the board.

What is the cost to this woman for committing this misconduct and ruining a mans life?

Fisher said the Attorney General’s Office and the bar’s attorney agreed that Kellett could face a 30-day license suspension, but it would be suspended with a requirement that she complete six hours of training in prosecutorial ethics, in addition to training she is already required to complete.

Here’s a listing of the findings by the panel:

After last fall’s grievance hearing, the panel determined that Kellett violated bar rules by:

• Engaging in conduct unworthy of an attorney.

• Engaging in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice.

• Failing to employ reasonable skill and care.

• Failing to make timely disclosure of the existence of evidence that tends to negate the guilt of the accused, mitigate the degree of the offense or reduce the punishment.

• Suppressing evidence that she had a legal obligation to produce.

• Assisting the state to violate the Maine Rules of Criminal Procedure and the court’s order.

• Employing means that were inconsistent with truth and seeking to mislead the jury.

Ends up the guy was still convicted at his second trial but what if he hadn’t been?  6 hours in a class for a case that he has spent 3 years in prison for already?  They may claim it isn’t the norm, but honestly doing it the first time is the hardest, after that you know you can get away with it.  You either work ethically, do your job and due diligence, or you don’t.  You don’t magically get a pass because, “Well this was the first time.”  Well sorry but that’s someone’s life you’re messing with and if you can’t be responsible enough to do the job right, you have no business wielding that power.

I wonder if there would be such leniency if these acts had been committed by a defense attorney and not a prosecutor.

State Sponsored Criminal: Assistant District Attorney Mary Kellett

Because the rules of the Bar are for everyone else.  Just because a prosecutor who’s unethical can ruin a mans life doesn’t mean they should be held accountable when they’re caught being.

h/t Rob Halvorson

TMM

TMM is the owner, editor, and principal author at The Minuteman, a competitive shooter, and staff member for Boomershoot. Even in his free time he’s merging his love and knowledge of computers and technology with his love of firearms.

Many know his private name and information however due to the current political climate, many are distancing themselves due to the abandonment of Due Process.