Jail inmate to testify against Liebl
By GREG MOORE
Express Staff Writer
A Blaine County jail inmate will be a witness for the
prosecution after he reportedly heard statements made by co-inmate Eric
Liebl, the suspect in a bike path attack in April.
Liebl, 18, is charged with felony aggravated assault in
connection with the April 16 attack on a woman riding on the Wood River
bike path north of Buttercup Road.
The role of inmate Billy A. Owens as a potential
prosecution witness was revealed in a motion filed in Fifth District Court
on Friday by Blaine County chief deputy prosecuting attorney Marilyn Paul.
Paul requested the disqualification of defense attorney
Doug Nelson, who had been representing both Owens and Liebl. The Idaho
Rules of Professional Conduct prohibit an attorney from representing a
client when he has represented an opposing party.
The state’s motion was granted during a court hearing in
Hailey on Monday. Jennifer Haemmerle was appointed to act as public
defender for Liebl.
Owens is charged with felony eluding a police officer as
the result of an April 18 police chase on Highway 75 and Gannet Road. In a
phone call from Blaine County jail, Owens said he had not been offered
leniency by the prosecutor’s office in exchange for his testimony.
An arraignment for Liebl, at which time he will be
required to plead guilty or not guilty, has been scheduled for May 21.
