In Re Complaint of Barnes

The accused, Mr. Barnes, a deputy district attorney for Lane County, was accused of unethical conduct in connection with his work as prosecutor. The Trial Board, composed of three attorneys, found Mr. Barnes did not engage in any unethical conduct. A panel of the Disciplinary Review Board, consisting of three attorneys and one lay person, believed the case presented "an extremely close question,” but found Mr. Barnes had engaged in unethical conduct.

The facts are not in dispute. Mr. Barnes, an experienced prosecutor, was assigned to prosecute David Jones for forcible rape in circuit court.…