Opinion ID: 887282
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Did Flathead County Attorney Ed Corrigan violate this Court's instructions on remand?

Text: ¶ 25 Rardon argues that Corrigan's involvement in this matter violated the instructions we issued in Rardon II which specified that Corrigan was not to represent the State in the third sentencing hearing. In support of this argument, Rardon points to a meeting where Corrigan introduced Guzynski to D.N., J.T., and Rardon's ex-wife, and explained that Guzynski would thereafter represent the State. Further, Rardon asserts that when D.N. called the Flathead County Attorney's Office regarding her subpoena, Corrigan chastised her for not testifying. Finally, Rardon insinuates that Corrigan's involvement had some effect on D.N.'s decision to testify. ¶ 26 We hold that Corrigan's contacts with D.N. and her family do not amount to a violation of this Court's instructions in Rardon II. While we specified that Corrigan could not represent the State in the third sentencing hearing, Rardon II, ¶ 26, we did not bar him from all contact with Rardon's family. Corrigan did not represent the State on remand, and he was not present at the third sentencing hearing. As for the brief phone conversation between Corrigan and D.N., the record does not indicate that Corrigan chastised D.N. for not testifying, nor does it demonstrate in any way that he prompted her to testify. Moreover, D.N. clearly stated that she had decided to testify before this conversation took place. As such, we hold that Corrigan did not violate this Court's instructions given in Rardon II.