Judge weighs need for conflict counsel in Washington pipe-bomb prosecution

In a Washington courtroom, Judge Amir Ali examined a request from federal prosecutors to determine whether conflict counsel should be assigned to Brian Cole Jr., the alleged pipe-bomb bomber. Cole faces multiple federal charges, including terrorism and weapons-of-mass-destruction counts, after allegedly placing devices outside the Republican and Democratic National Committee headquarters in early 2021. One of Cole’s attorneys, John Ross Glover, also represents Steve Baker, a former Blaze Media reporter sued for defamation by ex-Capitol Police officer Shauni Kerkhoff, who claims the reporter falsely linked her to the bombings.

Prosecutor Jocelyn Ballantine argued there is no present conflict but acknowledged the potential for one, suggesting Cole could waive it. Judge Ali asked how the court should evaluate the situation and will issue an order after further consideration. The hearing also covered motions to dismiss a terrorism count and suppress Cole’s alleged confession, with trial slated for mid-February.