Lawyers for the two camps in the dispute over Martin Luther King Jr.’s Nobel medal and Bible were in court Friday attempting to have counsel for the other side booted from the case.
The judge said he will rule next week on Bernice King’s motion to disqualify the lead attorney representing her brothers, Dexter Scott King and Martin Luther King III, as they attempt to sell the items.
Bernice King argues that the lawyer, William Hill, has a conflict of interest because he acted as special master in a 2008 case involving the disposition of their mother’s possessions.
Attorneys for Bernice King argued that, as a result, Hill has access to information that may prove critical and could disadvantage her in the upcoming Sept. 29 trial.
“Today’s motion isn’t an attack on character, ethics or professionalism. We simply have a disagreement as it relates to Hill’s role as special master,” said Bernice King’s attorney Ronald B. Gaither.
Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney said he would notify both sides about his decision later.
The King Estate is suing Bernice King over her attempts to thwart her brothers, whoa voted 2-1 to sell the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize and the Bible their father carried with him on his travels.
The 2008 case also pitted the siblings against each other, with Bernice King and King III aligned against Dexter King, whom they accused of converting funds from the King Estate for his own use.
In a counter claim, Dexter King argued that Bernice King was hoarding items — particularly love letters — that belonged to their late mother, Coretta Scott King. Hill was appointed special master, charged with taking an inventory of Coretta King’s items.
“Through that process, Hill gained certain information and certain knowledge that shouldn’t be used in this case,” Gaither said.
Hill argued Friday that he has no special, inside knowledge. He called the move to remove him an attempt by Bernice King’s team to delay the case.
“Anything I learned as a special master, any lawyer sitting in the courtroom could have learned it,” he said.
In response, Hill filed a motion to get rid of Bernice King’s lead attorney, Eric Barnum, claiming that Barnum engaged in previous discussions Dexter King that should be protected under attorney-client privilege.
McBurney has yet to hear arguments on that motion.
About the Author
