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In Re Carpenter
Citations: 891 A.2d 223; 2006 D.C. App. LEXIS 11; 2006 WL 133531Docket: 02-BG-1349
Court: District of Columbia Court of Appeals; January 19, 2006; District Of Columbia; State Supreme Court
Beth Ann Carpenter, a member of the Bar of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, was disbarred following her conviction for capital felony, murder as an accessory, and conspiracy to commit murder in Connecticut. These convictions were related to her involvement in the shooting death of Anson B. Buzz Clinton III in March 1994. The Connecticut Supreme Court upheld her convictions on October 11, 2005. The Board on Professional Responsibility recommended disbarment based on D.C. Code § 11-2503(a), which mandates disbarment for crimes involving moral turpitude. The court affirmed this recommendation, noting that moral turpitude can be determined either inherently by the nature of the offense or through the specifics of a case. Carpenter's convictions required proof of specific intent, aligning with the definition of first-degree premeditated murder under D.C. law, which is considered inherently morally turpitudinous. The court highlighted that first-degree murder, particularly when committed for pecuniary gain, violates accepted moral standards. It noted the established precedent that crimes involving dishonest intent are indicative of moral turpitude. Thus, in accordance with D.C. Code § 11-2503(a), Carpenter was disbarred from practicing law in the District of Columbia.