Lawyer’s son arrested during break in Branstad trial
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The son of an Iowa civil rights attorney in the midst of a high profile civil trial against a former governor has been arrested in the courtroom where his mother’s trial is taking place.
Polk County Sheriff records say 50-year-old James Barton Conlin, of West Des Moines, was arrested during break in the proceedings Monday and charged with interference with official acts. He was booked into the county jail and released within an hour.
The charge is a simple misdemeanor.
Conlin told courthouse officials he was testing the air after his mother complained it was making her ill.
Roxanne Conlin blames construction in the courthouse. Court officials refused her earlier request to move the trial.
Conlin and her son didn’t respond to a message from The Associated Press but she tells The Des Moines Register she’s furious he was arrested.
She’s representing former Iowa Worker’s Compensation Commissioner Chris Godfrey in his discrimination lawsuit against former Gov. Terry Branstad and the state.