JONESBORO, Ark. — A conflict of interest not disclosed by the deputy prosecuting attorney is bringing even more attention to a controversial bond set earlier this week for a police officer’s wife in Jonesboro.
It stems from the case against Amber Michelle Williams, 35, of Jonesboro, who appeared in court Wednesday afternoon for her probable cause hearing on charges of Theft of $25,000 or More and Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card, both felonies.
Amber’s lawyer argued for a $10,000 bond, mentioning multiple times that she is the wife of a Jonesboro Police Department officer. The judge noted that he usually starts Class B felonies at $75,000. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Bryce Cook initially asked for a $25,000 bond with a GPS ankle monitor, even noting that she had a past FTA charge, but he agreed to lower the request to $10,000.
NEA Report has learned that deputy prosecutor Bryce Cook previously represented Amber Michelle Williams, then Amber Michelle Stout. This conflict of interest was not disclosed in open court.
In 16JDR-13-188, Amber Michelle Stout v Joseph Ryan Frable, Amber is represented by Troutt & Cook, Attorneys at Law. An examination of the legal filings shows that Cook personally signed at least one.
Prosecuting Attorney Sonia Hagood was unaware of the conflict when contacted by a reporter on Saturday. She said Cook was not scheduled to appear in court as a prosecutor and had to cover for someone else in their absence.
“In general, when we are asking the court to wear an ankle monitor, we won’t fight for a really high bond in a lot of cases because we want them to have the funds to pay for that ankle monitor,” Hagood said, noting ankle monitors cost around $10 each day. “If flight is an issue, I’d rather someone have an ankle monitor than pay a bondsman a high amount of money that won’t necessarily help us to bring a person in.”
Hagood said the case would not be prosecuted by Cook. She expected the case to be assigned to a deputy prosecutor who handles cases outside of Craighead County.
“I don’t care who any defendant’s husband or wife is,” Hagood said. “If they committed a crime, we’re going to prosecute it appropriately.”
Williams was arrested at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 29 for Theft of $25,000 or More, a Class B felony, and Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card, a Class C felony. A review of the BP Fabrication accounts revealed Williams allegedly issued checks to herself and/or her personal business. The checks were more than $25,000. In addition, Williams used company credit cards to pay for Verizon bills, AirBNB expenses, tires for her personal vehicle, and rent payments, the affidavit said.
All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Just typical behavior for here in Craighead County. Our police can’t be trusted! Why change how the law works just because her husband is a police officer? Keep in mind he was reported due to hot checks that got cleaned up with the hand of JPD. The use and abuse of power is absurd. The judge has no morals or respect for the company this lady took advantage of..just a simple slap of the wrist. Total disregard to the LAW! 😒
This story begins with a questionable statement –
“A serious conflict of interest not disclosed by the deputy prosecuting attorney”
The rules of professional conduct include a lawyer’s duties to former clients:
“A lawyer who has formerly represented a client in a matter shall not thereafter represent another person in the same or substantially related matter in which that person’s interests are materially adverse to the interests of the former client unless the former client gives informed consent, confirmed in writing.”
It seems unlikely that the current charges involve anything substantially related to the representation in the 2013 divorce.
The potential conflict in this case is the result of the relationship between the prosecutor’s office and the Jonesboro Police Department. That potential conflict will be resolved once the case is assigned to a special prosecutor who handles cases outside of Craighead County.
It is appropriate for NEA Report to question the bond in this case. That appears to be the motivation for this report. However, it seems inappropriate to state as a matter of fact that Bryce Cook failed to disclose a “serious conflict of interest.”
Fair point. Correction made
I think what you are failing to acknowledge is that the conflict exists as it creates the perception of favoritism. Since Bryce Cook has been her personal attorney, it’s not a far stretch that people will see the treatment as a byproduct of of that relationship. BTW…. what do you have to say now that she’s got the ankle monitor off AND has moved to Texas?