Murder accessory gets new counsel

by Keith Kinnaird News Editor
| April 21, 2012 7:00 AM

SANDPOINT — A Bonner County teen accused of withholding knowledge of the murder of Michael Wyatt Smith has been appointed new defense counsel.

Defense attorney Margaret Williams was appointed to represent Christopher Robin Garlin during a closed-door hearing in 1st District Court on Thursday.

The hearing was closed to the public in deference to the attorney-client privilege. Affidavits filed in connection with the issue were filed under seal.

Although he has not filed notice that he intends to represent Garlin, Sandpoint attorney Fred Palmer also attended the hearing. Palmer was apparently hired by a member of Garlin’s family.

Defense attorney Serra Woods moved on April 9 to withdraw from Garlin’s case because of a irrevocable breakdown in communications.

“The breakdown is so serious and is likely to impair the client-attorney relationship or the attorney’s ability to represent the above Defendant,” Woods said in her motion.

Garlin, 18, is charged with accessory to murder for withholding knowledge of Smith’s slaying from law enforcement for four months. Garlin disclosed knowledge of the killing in January, while he was jailed on theft and burglary charges.

Garlin’s former roommate, 19-year-old Austin Blake Thrasher, is charged with first-degree murder for allegedly shooting Smith to death with a pistol last September. The shooting occurred in the woods near Thrasher’s Cocolalla home.

Thrasher is accused of executing Smith, who had begun seeing a 16-year-old girl Thrasher also had a relationship with.

Thrasher’s 22-year-old wife, Jennifer, is also charged with accessory to murder for failing to disclose knowledge of Smith’s killing. Jennifer Thrasher testified at a preliminary hearing that she was not present when Smith, 19, was shot, but did help bury his remains in the Rapid Lightning Creek drainage.

All three suspects have pleaded not guilty and are scheduled to be tried separately this summer. Thrasher’s bail is set at $500,000, while bail for Jennifer Thrasher and Garlin is set at $50,000 apiece.