Sheriff leaves commission post over conflict-of-interest

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A Missouri sheriff appointed to a commission that oversees the state's public-defender system has stepped down barely a month after taking the job.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Jefferson County Sheriff Oliver "Glenn" Boyer resigned Monday, citing health issues and a possible conflict of interest.

Boyer was appointed by Gov. Jay Nixon on Aug. 26 as part of the governor's effort to remake the board after a flap over funding cuts he imposed in July.

Missouri state public defender Michael Barrett outlined the conflict-of-interest issue in a Sept. 30 letter that said Boyer's role as sheriff jeopardizes clients' rights to a fair trial.

Boyer resigned three days after Barrett sent the letter to a presiding judge. Nixon appointed Ronald Bockenkamp of Farmington to the empty slot on Wednesday.