Seems there's been some activity on the Harlow Cuadra front, here's a brief update, with more details to follow later:
05/07/2009 Comm's Motion for Enlargement of Time to Response to Def's Concise Statement filed
05/08/2009 Motion to Withdraw as Counsel & Rule filed. Hearing on 5-22-09
The first one is pretty easy to understand, I'm awaiting some additional information on the second motion, as it sounds like one, or both of Harlow's attorneys want to withdraw as counsel.
Update @ 12:24 PM: Sources tell me briefly that the motion to withdraw as counsel was only signed by Paul Walker, apparently something about him not being paid... I'll try to have more clarification and details shortly.
Update @ 3:01 PM: Here's part of the motion to withdraw as counsel, I skipped some of it because it's all a rehash of things that have already occured:
11. On April 7, 2009, the petitioners filed a timley notice of appeal to the superior court of Pennsylvania in order to preserve the defendant's appellate rights.
12. The petitioners were not retained to pursue the defendant's appeal.
13. On April 9, 2009, this honorable court issues an order compeling the petitioners to file a concise statement of matters to be raised on appeal.
14. Since the defendant has been continously incarcerated since the time of his arrest, it is presumed that he is without funds to retain counsel to pursue his appeal.
15. The petitioners respectfully request that this honorable court permit them to withdraw counsel, and to appoint counsel to represent the defendant on appeal.
16. Further, the petitioners respectfully request that this honorable court grant additional time pending the outcome of this petition, to file a concise statement of matters complained of an appeal.
Wherefore, the petitioners respectfully request that this honorable court permit them to withdraw as counsel; appoint new counsel to represent the defendant on appeal; and to grant additional time within which to file a concise statement of matters complained of an appeal.
Respectfully submitted,
Paul J. Walker, Esq. (actually signed signature)
Joe D'Andrea (no signature)
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A hearing has been set for May 22 at 9 a.m. before PPO. Cuadra will appear via video from SCI Camp Hill.
Update @ 05/09/2009: There's also an article about this story in today's Times Leader and Citizens' Voice.
