A hearing is underway this morning to determine if Harlow Cuadra's trial attorneys' Paul J. Walker and Joe D'Andrea can withdraw as counsel. They originally filed the motion on May 8, 2009, and cited that "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."
Cuadra is expected to appear via video from SCI Camp Hill.
A court watcher is attending the hearing, and I'll update this story as soon as information becomes available.
Update @ 9:22 AM: The hearing has been continued to 2:30 PM today.
Update @ 3:27 PM: According to the Times Leader, Judge Peter Paul Olszewski let Harlow Cuadra’s attorneys withdraw from his case today and new attorneys will be appointed by the end of the day.
Update @ 3:25 PM: The Citizens' Voice is also reporting that Cuadra appeared by video from a state correctional facility during the hearing. He told Olszewski he cannot afford hiring another private attorney to handle his appeals.
"I don't have the means any more, your honor," Cudara said.
In granting the order, Olszewski told Cuadra he would appoint conflict counsel for him, to which Cuadra did not object.
Update @ 7:36 PM: A court watcher tells me that Harlow looked fatter, and like his best friend had died (Very solemn) . Not the same boy-Harlow with the tie and glasses we remember during the trial (yet he still has the glasses).
Cuadra is expected to appear via video from SCI Camp Hill.
A court watcher is attending the hearing, and I'll update this story as soon as information becomes available.
Update @ 9:22 AM: The hearing has been continued to 2:30 PM today.
Update @ 3:27 PM: According to the Times Leader, Judge Peter Paul Olszewski let Harlow Cuadra’s attorneys withdraw from his case today and new attorneys will be appointed by the end of the day.
Update @ 3:25 PM: The Citizens' Voice is also reporting that Cuadra appeared by video from a state correctional facility during the hearing. He told Olszewski he cannot afford hiring another private attorney to handle his appeals.
"I don't have the means any more, your honor," Cudara said.
In granting the order, Olszewski told Cuadra he would appoint conflict counsel for him, to which Cuadra did not object.
Update @ 7:36 PM: A court watcher tells me that Harlow looked fatter, and like his best friend had died (Very solemn) . Not the same boy-Harlow with the tie and glasses we remember during the trial (yet he still has the glasses).
So sadd ............fatter but he's getting new attorneys yea !!!!
ReplyDeleteThe camera puts ten pounds on everyone.
ReplyDeleteIt should be noted that Harlow's new attorneys have not been assigned... perhaps by Wednesday from what I've heard.
ReplyDeleteNo great surprise that the current attorneys are released, and MAYBE the new conflict attorney(s) will be a bit smarter in how they handle the evidence, not that I think there is going to be any changes in outcome.
ReplyDeleteMAYBE the new conflict attorney(s) will be a bit smarter in how they handle the evidence...
ReplyDeleteAt least he won't be paying for them, so he'll get his money's worth. ;-)
It's noteworthy that every item in the appeal was based on objections by Cuadra's court-provide attorneys -- and they objected to other matters not yet part of the appeal.
As far as I know, the trial lawyers objected to nothing. Cuadra certainly didn't get his money's worth. He should have stuck with the conflict counsel and saved his money for the appeal.
I know, I know. If he had the money he'd no longer be eligible for public defenders, but there are ways...
"pizzaman said...
ReplyDeleteAs far as I know, the trial lawyers objected to nothing."
I'm told they did several times... apparently it just never went anywhere.
I'm told they did several times...
ReplyDeleteI stand corrected.
It's really too bad the local newspapers did such a poor job of reporting. If memory serves, the stories were mostly 8-10 inches for a full day of testimony, and part of each one was a rehash of previous stories.
I feel like I'm pretty ignorant of what went on at trial.
fatter??? maybe he's preggers ;) lol
ReplyDeleteLOL @ Geoff Harvard....that was funny!!
ReplyDelete