PRESTON, Minn. — One of the twin sisters accused in the highway death of two Amish school children in a horse-drawn buggy has lined up a Minneapolis criminal defense attorney to take her case. Attorney Carson Heefner’s name appeared in court documents on behalf of Samantha Jo Petersen. Heefner asked for a discovery hearing to identify police findings, including drug tests, to prepare his case. Petersen. age 35, has been charged with vehicular homicide while high on meth and then convincing her identical twin sister Sarah Beth, who was sober, to switch places and take the rap. About representing Samantha Jo, Heefner told KTTC that it was “one of the most interesting cases” he’s ever had. He was quick to point out that he’s not representing the sister Sarah Beth. That, he said, would be a conflict of interest. All tolled, the twins face 37 charges.
Heefner profile
Heefner is a 1998 graduate of William Mitchell Law School with honors. He has advanced certification from the National College for DUI Defense. T9 clients he explains what the does this way: “As we all know, the government has a lot of power, strength and resources. It can be very intimidating when the people who wield that strength and power are intent on taking away your liberty and freedom. And make no mistake, that is what the government wants to do when they charge you with a crime. My job is to protect you against those forces.” He lists 1,000-plus cases in his 21 years of practicing law. They range, he notes, from drunken driving to murder.
Heefner. A Minneapolis-based criminal defense attorney 21 years.