Arizona killings rock anti-illegal immigration movement, highlights risk of frin

Bar complaint may affect trial in 2 Arivaca killings

Kim Smith Arizona Daily Star Arizona Daily Star
Posted: Tuesday, December 14, 2010 12:00 am
http://azstarnet.com/news/local/crime/article_8ff810ef-e4d4-5a8a-b6bd-48daae2a3610.html

Next month's trial of Shawna Forde may be in jeopardy because of a State Bar complaint filed against one of her attorneys, but it's unclear who was behind its filing.

Forde is charged with first-degree murder in the May 30, 2009, slayings of Raul Flores Jr. and his 9-year-old daughter, Brisenia, in Arivaca. Forde is scheduled to go to trial in Pima County Superior Court Jan. 11.

On Monday, defense attorney Eric Larsen informed Judge John Leonardo that one of Forde's strong-est supporters, Laine Lawless, had filed a complaint against him with the State Bar of Arizona and says she filed it for Forde.

Although Larsen has given the Bar an affidavit signed by Forde stating she did not authorize Lawless to file the complaint, the ethics advisory panel recommended he file a motion to withdraw from the case, Larsen said. Lawless says the signature on the affidavit doesn't appear to be Forde's, Larsen said.

Larsen said he isn't bothered by the complaint and believes his representation of Forde hasn't been compromised by it, but is following the advice of the ethics panel.

Although Forde usually stays at the jail rather than attend her court hearings, Leonardo ordered her to appear in court next week to discuss the matter.

Lawless has been an avid support of Forde's since her arrest, seeking donations, going on talk radio and creating websites such as Justiceforshawnaforde.com. She believes Forde is an innocent woman and political prisoner who is being tortured in the Pima County jail.

Lawless is also listed as a witness for the state because prosecutors believe she saw Jason Bush, one of Forde's co-defendants, being treated for a bullet wound they say was inflicted by Flores' wife, Gina, the night of the slayings.

Authorities contend Forde thought Flores was a drug dealer and recruited a group to raid his house for drugs, cash and guns to help fund her organization, which she called Minutemen American Defense.

The trial for Bush, who is suspected of being the triggerman, is scheduled to begin March 15. Albert Gaxiola, another defendant in the case, is set to go to trial on June 1.

Contact reporter Kim Smith at 573-4241 or kimsmith@azstarnet.com