San Diego
A federal judge Friday disqualified the attorney for a Normal Heights man accused of helping his son cover up a series of racist attacks.
Earl Durham, who had been representing Earl M. Maas in the civil rights case, previously had represented Maas’ son, Michael, in a related state court case. U.S. District Judge Earl Gilliam ruled that Durham’s continued involvement in the federal case could create the appearance of impropriety.
Michael Maas is accused of conducting a campaign of terror to drive a black family out of the Maases’ Normal Heights neighborhood in 1984 and 1985--burning a cross on their lawn, sending them a threatening, racist letter and burning the family’s truck in the driveway of their house.
Earl Maas is charged with helping his son cover up the racist acts by intimidating witnesses in the federal investigation.
Mario Conte, attorney for Michael Maas, argued that Durham might be obliged to use information he gleaned in representing Michael Maas against him, in furtherance of his defense of Earl Maas. Gilliam appointed attorney Mark Adams to replace Durham.
Michael Maas is serving a three-year state prison term for assaulting his ex-girlfriend, one of the key witnesses in the federal case. Earl Maas in is jail pending trial.
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