ST. LOUIS (CN) - A federal judge released a man who has been held in jail for two years, and questioned his lawyer's actions, asking if the attorney had failed to pay attention to the case. Joseph Allen Shepard Sr. had been in custody on drug and gun charges since 2006.
U.S. District Judge Carol Jackson freed Shepard and raised concerns over the actions of his lawyer, Michael P. Kelly.
Jackson told Kelly that she wasn't sure if the case was plagued with repeated oversights, or if he simply failed to pay attention.
Shepard was last in court on Aug. 17, 2006, for an evidentiary hearing, court records state. At that hearing, Kelly brought up the issue of releasing Shepard on bond. Judge Frederick Buckles ordered Kelly to file copies of deed, tax and property records. Those records were never filed. Jackson set Shepard's trial for Oct. 14.
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