Lawyer for attempted murder suspect represented victim

Averill Baker, the lawyer representing a man charged with attempted murder,  also represented the alleged victim, CBC News has learned.

Baker was front and center in court in St. John's on Tuesday, speaking on behalf of her client, Philip Pynn, 25. Pynn was charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of Nick Winsor, 20.

The shooting occurred during a botched robbery attempt at a house on Portugal Cove Road last Saturday night.

Pynn was also charged with the attempted murder of the owner of the house where the shooting happened.

Baker represented that homeowner in 2005 when he had his own run-in with the law. The man was convicted of possessing stolen goods and possessing marijuana for the purposes of trafficking.

Now that Baker is representing Pynn, the man accused of trying to kill the homeowner, Baker could be put in an awkward position.

If the homeowner testifies at Pynn's trial, Baker would likely be limited in using anything she learned from him because of their former solicitor-client relationship.

CBC News left messages at Baker's office requesting an interview, but she did not respond.