A List of Sarah Boone’s Attorneys

Sarah Boone’s Revolving Door of Attorneys

Sarah was entitled to representation from the Office of the Public Defender. On February 26, 2020, Assistant Public Defender Letitia Fowler signed her “Notice of Invocation of Constitutional Rights.” The Office of the Public Defender withdrew because Sarah hired private counsel.

Beginning on February 27th, 2020, Mauricio Padilla was Sarah Boone’s initial private attorney. He first attempted to withdraw as counsel on April 18, 2022 due to “irreconcilable differences”, calling the attorney-client relationship “adversarial.” After filing two more amended petitions to withdraw, a public defender was appointed to represent Sarah.

Robert Wesley, Sarah’s second court-appointed public defender withdrew due to a conflict of interest, as he had represented victim Jorge Torres, Jr. after a domestic violence arrest.

Varet, an attorney from the “Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel” withdrew due to conflict of interest, as he had represented a witness in this case, property manager Melissa Sexton.

Bankowitz first petitioned to withdraw as counsel on December 19th 2022.
Stating that no one should have to endure repeated verbal abuse from their client. He informed Judge Wayne Wooten he could not effectively represent a client who called him “a dud” and “a buffoon.” For her part, Sarah Boone claimed Bankowitz was MIA for 8 months. A letter she wrote to Bankowitz dated March 22 2023 reads in part, “I even in my desperation to speak with you had an outside caller try to reach you on my behalf, who tried reaching your office three (3) times over the last almost 3 weeks, leaving a voicemail each time with no reply.” Bankowitz wrote that “the best possible avenue is to have the Defendant represent herself as no attorney can satisfy her.” In any event, the motion to withdraw was granted.

Patricia Cashman became Boone’s eighth lawyer to file a motion to withdraw as counsel. The June 11 motion cites irreconcilable differences “including, but not limited to, ethical considerations.”

Sarah Boone forfeited her right to have her counsel paid for by the state, ruled Judge Michael S. Kraynick. As she lacked resources, she was forced to act as her own lawyer. Per Judge Kraynick’s ruling: "It has become apparent to the Court that Defendant will not permit herself to be represented by anyone." Luckily for Boone, it was only a temporary situation. (Yes, those hearings were a complete car crash.)