Key Takeaways
- Judge Jacquelyn High‑Edward removed two public defenders, Stephanie Cady and Lindsey Wheat, from the first‑degree murder trial of Cynthia L. Khaleel after they repeatedly sought continuances and then took Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave with little notice.
- The judge condemned their conduct as “flagrant disrespect” toward the client, the court, the community, and their profession, describing it as evasive, obstructionist, litigious, and contemptuous.
- Khaleel’s case has been delayed more than ten times; the latest trial date was set for May 4, 2024, then pushed to May 18, 2024, before the attorneys’ abrupt departures forced another postponement.
- Khaleel, who was acquitted in 2018 of killing her adoptive nephew, now faces a potential life‑without‑parole sentence for the 2024 stabbing and shooting death of her ex‑boyfriend, Justin Daniel.
- The Counsel for Defense office, which handles conflict‑of‑interest cases, expressed disappointment that prosecutors and judges without criminal‑defense experience are dictating trial readiness, while the prosecutor’s office said the ruling allows a realistic trial date to be set.
Spokane County Superior Court Judge Jacquelyn High‑Edward issued a scathing written order removing two public defenders—Stephanie Cady and Lindsey Wheat—from the first‑degree murder trial of Cynthia L. Khaleel. The judge’s decision came after a pattern of delays and last‑minute requests for continuances, followed by the attorneys taking FMLA leave with minimal notice to their client and the court. High‑Edward characterized the defenders’ actions as a “shocking campaign to frustrate the justice system,” stating that their removal, while further postponing the trial, was unavoidable given their conduct.
The case against Khaleel stems from the April 13, 2024, death of Justin Daniel, her 40‑year‑old ex‑boyfriend. Daniel had called police to report that Khaleel violated a no‑contact order by coming to his home. At the time, the former couple was locked in a custody battle over their three‑year‑old daughter; a month earlier, Daniel had been granted full custody. When deputies arrived, they discovered Daniel dead, having suffered 48 stab wounds and three gunshot wounds. Khaleel was arrested and charged with first‑degree aggravated murder, a crime that carries a possible life sentence without parole.
Since her arrest, the proceedings have been marked by repeated postponements. Judge High‑Edward noted that over the past four weeks, defense counsel filed four motions to continue and two motions to withdraw, all submitted on the morning the trial was slated to begin. When the judge denied those motions, Wheat went on paid leave without informing Khaleel. Cady had already taken leave on March 29, when the trial was originally set for May 4. Wheat subsequently sought additional time before her own leave, which was scheduled to start May 18—the latest date the trial had been reset to.
The judge highlighted the impact on Khaleel, describing her as “stunned, confused, and terrified” when she learned her attorneys were absent. Khaleel felt compelled to request new counsel because she had no understanding of what was happening in her case. High‑Edward explicitly found that Cady’s and Wheat’s behavior had been evasive, obstructionist, litigious, and contemptuous since March 27, 2026 (a typographical error in the original text; the intended date is March 27, 2024). Moreover, the judge determined that the defenders’ requests for delay lacked any factual or legal basis, suggesting they were made purposefully to stall the trial.
Although removing Cady and Wheat will inevitably delay resolution further, Judge High‑Edward wrote that the court had “no option but to grant Ms. Khaleel’s request” due to the attorneys’ misconduct. The order underscores the gravity of the defenders’ actions, framing them as a breach of duty to their client, the court, and the legal profession.
Reactions from the involved parties illustrate the tension surrounding the case. Deputy Spokane County Prosecutor Dale Nagy, who is prosecuting Khaleel, could not be reached for immediate comment. Victoria Blumhorst, director of the Counsel for Defense—the office that assigns attorneys when a conflict of interest exists—said it was unfortunate the case had reached this point. She criticized prosecutors and judges lacking criminal‑defense experience for attempting to dictate when a defense attorney should be ready for trial, especially in high‑stakes matters. Julie Humphreys, a spokeswoman for the prosecutor’s office, noted that prosecutors generally avoid commenting on pending cases but added that the judge’s ruling “means we can now set a realistic trial date and move forward.”
Khaleel’s legal history adds another layer of complexity. In 2018, she was acquitted of causing the death of her five‑year‑old adoptive nephew, Gary Blanton III, after a jury found her not guilty despite prosecutors’ claims that she had fractured the child’s skull. That prior acquittal contrasts sharply with the current aggravated‑murder charge, which alleges a brutal attack involving numerous stab wounds and gunfire.
The judge’s order serves as a stark reminder of the ethical obligations incumbent upon defense counsel, particularly in serious criminal cases. By removing Cady and Wheat, the court aims to protect Khaleel’s right to effective representation and to prevent further manipulation of the judicial process. The case now awaits the appointment of new counsel and the establishment of a firm trial date, with the hope that the proceedings can proceed without additional, unwarranted delays.