Southern Colorado DA Admits To Mishandling Cases, Could Be Suspended

TRINIDAD, Colo. (AP) - A southern Colorado district attorney has admitted to mishandling more than a dozen criminal cases and will spend the rest of his term under close supervision, the head of the state office that supervises lawyers said Thursday.

James Coyle told The Associated Press that his Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel had been prepared to go to court in March to pursue its complaint against Frank Ruybalid in connection with the collapse of murder, assault, child abuse and other cases in Las Animas and Huerfano counties because of allegations prosecutors failed to provide evidence to defense attorneys.

Instead, following mediation, Ruybalid admitted to failing in his responsibilities to share information and to supervise and train his staff, Coyle said. For the 23 months remaining in the term to which he was elected in 2012, an attorney will coach Ruybalid on proper practices. If the monitoring attorney finds misconduct is repeated, Ruybalid could be suspended from practicing law for six months.

"We didn't find any malevolent conduct by this DA," Coyle said. "All we know is that things did go wrong and they have to be corrected immediately."

Coyle said it was unusual for his office to pursue a case against a district attorney, but not unusual for it to turn to mediation. Ruybalid's willingness to strike an agreement shows he wants to make necessary changes, Coyle said.

Ruybalid is a 1988 University of Colorado Law School graduate who is in his third term in office. In 2013, he told The Denver Post that increasing caseloads have stretched his office, which covers four courts in two counties that span more than 6,300 square miles.

Colorado Attorney General Cynthia Coffman said Thursday her office had taken over two cases at Ruybalid's request and was ready to provide more support. "My paramount concern as attorney general is that justice be served in Las Animas and Huerfano counties," she told AP.

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