Matter of Discipline of Rensch

ORIGINAL PROCEEDING

FOSHEIM, Chief Justice.

Respondent, William M. Rensch, was admitted to practice law in this State on May 31, 1950. He has gained a reputation of successfully defending people charged with crimes. Charles M. Huth was charged with murder. At his preliminary arraignment a magistrate determined that he was indigent and the Pennington County Public Defender’s Office was appointed to represent him. Mr. Huth was bound over to circuit court for trial, scheduled to begin January 5, 1981, before Judge Grosshans.

Prior to the date of trial, Mr. Huth contacted several private attorneys,…