UPDATE: Make that three.
The justice system of Alabama is now 0-for-2 in finding a court-appointed lawyer for Harvey Updyke, the man accused of lethally poisoning Auburn’s historic Toomer’s Corner oak trees. Jerry Hauser, Updyke’s second appointed representative, filed a withdrawal motion Tuesday morning, claiming a conflict of interest.
His wife heads Auburn’s Communication and Journalism department, which does seem like a minor conflict of interest.
The last attorney appointed by the court to represent Updyke, Philip O. Tyler, asked to be let off the case as he has many business and personal dealings with Auburn and Auburn alumni.
Sure, it’s not going to be easy to find somebody in the state of Alabama who doesn’t have some very close connection to Auburn or the University of Alabama, but it might help to quickly read up on potential appointees first. I’m sure that’s not the way these things are handled, but otherwise this is going to take years.