Topeka ? A Wichita defense attorney was disbarred Friday by the Kansas Supreme Court for ethical violations, including his admitted drug use that caused a mistrial in a 2005 murder trial.

The order regarding Michael K. Lehr follows his surrender on April 20 of his license to practice law. Lehr faced an investigation by the Kansas Board for Discipline of Attorneys, alleging he failed to file court documents on time and failed to expedite litigation for three of his clients.

Lehr was accused of failing to deposit a retainer fee in a trust fund and promptly refunding the unearned portion to his client. He admitted he used cocaine and marijuana during the trial of Joseph Sutton, charged in the shooting of Tyrone “Anthony” Lewis.

The judge received three reports suggesting Lehr could have been under the influence of alcohol or drugs on the first two days of the trial. A mistrial was declared after Lehr’s urine tested positive for drugs.