The Missouri Supreme Court has sided with a disciplinary counsel in deciding that Platt County Prosecutor Eric Zahnd violated rules of professional responsibility.
Missouri Supreme Court – Image courtesy of Missouri Courts
Zahnd publicly criticized letter writers who expressed support for a man who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting one of his daughters.
In doing so, the high judges determined that Zahnd engaged in prejudicial conduct meant to embarrass the letter writers and fined him $750.
The state Disciplinary Counsel had asked for stiffer penalties, including a six-month suspension of his law license and a fine of $1,000 to pay for fee and costs.
Following the sentencing of Darren Paden, Zahnd’s office issued a statement to the media expressing disappointment in community members that supported a defendant who had confessed to sex crimes against a child.