Prosecutors in murder case: Public defender has conflict of interest

Prosecutors are asking one of the public defenders in a Pocatello murder case to recuse himself.

Jesse Bruce, 25, and Tyrell Dixey, 31, stand accused in the June 5 murder of 24-year-old Lric Elkins in an Old Town Pocatello apartment. Bruce is facing a charge of second-degree murder. Dixey is facing a charge of being a principal to second-degree murder.

Prosecutors said Dixey’s public defender, John Souza, has a conflict of interest because Souza previously represented a key witness in the case, one of the women who was in the apartment the day Elkins died and who told police she heard a fight between Elkins and the two defendants.

In his role as Dixey’s attorney, prosecutors said Souza would have to cross-examine his former client, whom he represented in a driving without privileges case.

Judge Rick Carnaroli is scheduled to make a decision on the issue Thursday morning.

Meanwhile, no date has been set for the men’s preliminary hearing. Dixey wants one soon, while Bruce’s attorney suggested a November court date.