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Family accused of incest faces judge over status of legal counsel

Three of the Mohler men, accused of graphic sexual abuse of their own young relatives, faced judges Thursday morning in Lafayette County court.

Burrell Mohler Jr., Roland Mohler and Darrel Mohler appeared in court.

Burrell Mohler Jr. and Roland Mohler do not have lawyers. Their Thursday court appearance was aimed at finding out the status of them attaining legal counsel.

Those three Mohler men, along with Burrell Mohler Sr., Jared Mohler, David Mohler, have been charged with a total of 42 felony counts ranging from sodomy, forced rape, sexual assault and using a child for a sexual performance.

Lafayette County Circuit Judge John Frerking told Burrell and Roland to get legal representation as soon as possible. It's been nearly a month since the prosecutor has charged the men. Their cases, Frerking said, need to move forward and that cannot happen until they have lawyers.

Burrell Mohler Jr. told the judge he couldn't afford a lawyer, so the judge proposed he fill out paperwork for a public defender.

Roland said he's applying for a private lawyer, saying he has too many assets, including land, for public counsel.

"I'm working as hard as I can," Roland Mohler said of his quest to get legal representation.

The judge also told them about a lawyer referral service offered by the Missouri Bar Association that could help.

Darrel Mohler had his first appearance in Lafayette County court after arriving in Missouri late Wednesday night from Florida, where he was living. His bond was set at $40,000.

The judge read off the charges, two counts of rape that allegedly happened in 1986.

Darrel has retained a private attorney, he told the judge. Burrell Mohler Sr. has a lawyer, according to a relative.

Jared Mohler is the only one who has been released on bond. He posted $70,000 cash only bond and was released Wednesday.

Darrel, 72, walked with a noticeable limp as he was escorted into the courtroom.

Roland Mohler smiled repeatedly at his wife and other family members who were sitting in the front row of the courtroom.

The men allegedly committed the crimes on a farm owned by Burrell Mohler Sr. back in the late 1980s and mid-1990s.

Burrell Mohler Sr. is the father of Burrell Jr., Roland, Jared, and David. Darrel Mohler is Burrell Sr.'s brother.

The victims were children of Burrell Mohler Jr. and the grandfather of Mohler Sr.

The alleged victims, now in their late 20s, told authorities, recalling suppressed memories, they were subjected to sex with a horse and German shepherd and "mock" wedding ceremonies where they would marry and then have sex with an uncle.

The Examiner