Nelson County (trfnews.i234.me) – A heated legal battle is brewing over a potential conflict of interest in the sex crimes case involving former Dakota Prairie school counselor Brendon Thomas Parsley, 49. Parsley faces two Class C felonies — sexual assault of a minor and luring minors by computer — and one Class A misdemeanor for solicitation of a minor.
Parsley’s attorney, Mark Friese, filed a motion on May 30 to disqualify Assistant Attorney General Kathleen Murray, citing a conflict stemming from her supervisor, Jeremy Ensrud, whose wife, Ashleigh Ensrud, is representing the alleged victims in civil matters.
Friese contends this web of professional and personal relationships taints the prosecution’s impartiality and is pushing for the entire North Dakota Attorney General’s Office to be removed from the case. The matter will be addressed in a motion hearing set for August 15 at 10 a.m., with Friese planning to present witness testimony and evidence. The preliminary hearing/arraignment will follow based on that outcome.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.