E-mails between girl and lawyer at center of contempt charge

Do e-mails written between a Taos attorney and an alleged victim in the State of New Mexico’s criminal case against a controversial church leader amount to “impermissible contact” with a State’s witness?

Definitely not, according to a motion filed on the attorney’s behalf today.

On November 3, Judge Gerald Baca ordered attorney Justin Lea to “show why he should not be held in contempt of court for impermissible contact with a State’s witness.” Judge Baca has ordered Lea to appear in court with an “explanation” on November 10.

Lea is represented by his boss, attorney Alan Maestas.

In his Motion to Dismiss Order to Show Cause v. Justin Lea and for Sanctions, Maestas lists 30 “Relevant Facts,” including an assertion seemingly suggesting that the motive behind the State’s recent effort to have Bent’s “seven ladies” appear at the District Attorney’s office was aimed at getting “members of Strong City committed to the State Hospital in Las Vegas (New Mexico).”

In defending his client, Maestas argues that Lea’s actions “were admirable and totally in keeping with the highest standards of his profession.”

In charging contempt, the State–according to Maestas–“sought to attack the most precious asset of an attorney without even a cursory investigation…”

Maestas’ motion also includes copies of the e-mails written between Lea and the alleged victim who is known as Healed.

Read the the new documents below:

  1. Motion to Dismiss Order to Show Cause v. Justin Lea and for Sanctions (filed November 6)
  2. Exhibit A” (page 1), (page 2): e-mails written between attorney Justin Lea and girl known as “Healed”
Mark Horner

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