By james art 
Pueblo’s 10th Judicial District lost its chief deputy district attorney Nov. 1 when Jeff Lindsey was sworn in as acting district attorney for the 11th Judicial District following the disbarment of Linda Stanley.
Lindsay is the only candidate on the Nov. 5 ballot to replace Stanley, who was removed Sept. 27 by the presiding disciplinary judge’s office after a two-week disciplinary hearing in June.
Although Stanley appealed the disbarment to the Colorado Supreme Court, a stay of the disbarment was denied Oct. 18, allowing it to take effect Nov. 1, according to a news release from the state judicial branch.
Since Stanley is appealing the decision to the Colorado Supreme Court, she is considered absent. As a result, the court in the 11th Judicial District exercised its authority to appoint a person to perform the duties of the office.
On behalf of the 11th Judicial District, which covers Fremont, Chaffee, Custer and Park counties, Chief Judge Amanda Hunter issued an order Friday appointing Lindsey as acting district attorney.
Lindsey has been the chief deputy district attorney in Pueblo for the past three years.
“We kind of knew this was going to happen and we just didn’t know the timing,” said Jeff Chostner, Pueblo County District Attorney. “We’re happy for Jeff (Lindsey) and we’re happy for the citizens of the 11th Judicial District — they want stability and normal processes and cases handled properly.”
“I think Jeff will do a good job there and restore confidence in the criminal justice system.” It will also revitalize the relationship between our two jurisdictions,” Chostner said.
Pueblo, El Paso and the 11th Judicial District share a special prosecutor’s office. When there is a conflict of interest case for one of the three district attorney’s offices, a special prosecutor from another neighboring jurisdiction may be assigned to handle the case.
“This species has withered on the vine over the past few years,” Chostner told the Leader. “Jeff (Lindsey) and I have talked about it and he’s going to do everything he can to rekindle that kind of relationship.”
Lindsay has been an attorney for 29 years and a prosecutor for 27 years. He grew up in Florence, graduated from Florence High School in 1987, and is the son of the late longtime Florence Chamber of Commerce Director Darrell Lindsay and his wife, Nancy.
Chief reporter Tracy Harmon covers business news. She can be reached by email at [email protected] or via Twitter at twitter.com/tracywumps. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com.