Attorney Faces Charges in Taylor Behl Case
An attorney representing the mother of slain Virginia Commonwealth University student Taylor Behl has been found guilty of "ethical misconduct" because of statements he made to the press after he was dismissed as the attorney for Janet Pelasara.
A Virginia State Bar committee filed a complaint against Michael Morchower accusing him of attorney misconduct because the statements he made to the press potentially violated client-attorney confidentiality and could affect ability of the accused in the case to receive a fair trial.
Taylor Behl (pictured) left her Richmond, Virginia apartment on Sept. 5 and was never seen alive again. Her body was found a month later and authorities arrested a 38-year-old photographer, Benjamin Fawley, and charged him with her death.
Behl's mother, Janet Pelasara, hired Morchower to represent her interests in the investigation, but became uncomfortable after she heard him making comments to the media on her behalf. She "fired" Morchower, who was representing her free of charge.
Two days after she dismissed Morchower, he was quoted in the Washington Times saying, "It is probably going to be virtually impossible for the medical examiner to reconstruct how [Behl] died. The Commonwealth forensically may not be able to contradict [Fawley's] statement."
Pelasara complained to the state bar association, which will hold a hearing on the charges in September. In the meantime, Fawley's first-degree murder trial begins Aug. 17.
See Also:
Morchower Faces Charges in Taylor Behl Case
Background:
The Murder of Taylor Behl
Friends of Taylor Behl
Forum:
Discuss This Case
Comments
How many former clients’ cases of Mr. Morchower’s have been mishandled? How many have been railroaded by his “mistakes”? Why have the courts covered for him and not held him accountable for his “mistakes”?I have a story to tell.
Mr. Morchower has not been found guilty of ethical violations. They are merely charges at this point and there is a hearing scheduled to determine whether in fact he violated any ethical rules. To say that he was found guilty would be akin to saying Ben Fawley, who is charged with Taylor Behl’s murder, has been found guilty. Presumably Ben Fawley will be found guilty, but it is a bit premature to announce that verdict.
Morchower was found guilty of 3 misconduct charges and a public reprimand was given.
Hey there former client – love to hear your story.
Janet Pelasara