Prosecutors say new defense lawyers should be appointed to represent the two men accused in the photographing of bodies at the Hamilton County morgue.

        In a legal brief filed Friday, prosecutors argued that the defense lawyers have a conflict of interest because they are partners in the same law firm.

        Prosecutors contend the men accused in the morgue case have different interests that could be compromised if their defense lawyers work too closely and share information.

        The lawyers — Marc Mezibov and H. Louis Sirkin — said their partnership in no way affects their ability to represent their clients.

        Mr. Sirkin represents Thomas Condon, a Cincinnati photographer accused of taking unauthorized photos of 12 bodies. Mr Mezibov represents Jonathan Tobias, a pathologist accused of giving Mr. Condon access to the morgue.

        The prosecutors said in their brief that they recently offered a plea bargain to Mr. Condon in exchange for his testimony against Dr. Tobias.

        “Condon's interests radically diverge from those of defendant Tobias,” wrote assistant prosecutors Thomas Longano and Judith Mullen.

        Mr. Sirkin said prosecutors never made a plea bargain offer to Mr. Condon.

        “That is absolutely without merit,” Mr. Sirkin said of the prosecution's claim. “But if they want to talk to me about dismiss ing the charges, we'd accept that.”

        He said the defense team soon will bring in additional lawyers to avoid potential conflicts. Mr. Mezibov said he expects no conflicts to arise.

        “I will defend my client,” Mr. Mezibov said. “I will fight for his right to be defended by the counsel of his choice, not the prosecutor's.”

        Mr. Condon and Dr. Tobias are charged with 24 counts each of abuse of a corpse. They face up to 13 years in prison if convicted.

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