16-05-2015, 04:49 PM
Drew is correct you do not get to choose your court appointed lawyer. However if you are unsatisfied with the representation of a court- appointed lawyer you can ask that this person be dismissed and request someone else be appointed. The judge makes the ultimate decision and only in rare circumstances is this permitted. We do not know if this young man ever made such a request, just as we do not know if he requested to testify in his own behalf. I personally suspect he did. And his attorney likely advised him it would be best not to. I have represented many persons charged with crimes over the past thirty years who have told me that that his or her prior attorney "made me plead guilty" or "would not let me testify". Some attorneys simply do not believe in letting a client testify when in fact it the SOLE decision of the client. Unless I have a very good reason I always put my clients on the stand. Jurors WANT to hear from the person charged. Oh they say in voir dire they can be fair, but I don't believe it. It's human nature to want to hear from the person charged and be able to judge the credibility of that person.
Well done Don. I knew he'd be put to death and I knew he'd never get a fair trial.
Dawn
Well done Don. I knew he'd be put to death and I knew he'd never get a fair trial.
Dawn