Dakota County attorney reprimanded for unprofessional conduct

A lawyers ethics board wants the Minnesota Supreme Court to publicly reprimand and fine a long-time Twin Cities county attorney for unprofessional conduct.

Dakota County Attorney Jim Backstrom has agreed to the reprimand and a $900 fine, for what he called a "lack of judgment" in connection with a murder trial in Washington County last year.

During that trial, Dakota County assistant coroner Dr. Susan Roe agreed to serve as an expert for the defense.

Backstrom e-mailed Roe's boss, Dakota County Coroner Lindsey Thomas, saying it was unacceptable that coroners were doing consulting work for the defense.

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Backstrom added if the practice continued, he would no longer support Thomas' appointment as Dakota County coroner.

Roe believed that her and Thomas' jobs were threatened if she continued to consult in the case, so she withdrew before the trial ended.

Backstrom agreed to the reprimand from the state Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility, though he said it he didn't intend to interfere in the case.

"While I do not believe my action ultimately affected the outcome of the Washington County trial ... I regret having sent this e-mail," Backstrom said.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report)