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COUNTY COURTHOUSE —
Another hearing was heard Wednesday afternoon in the case of James R. Burns, on trial for murder in connection with the 2004 death of Thomas Condon.
At the last motion hearing, held Nov. 30, Burns requested to fire his public defender, Nathan Rowland, and instead represent himself. However, when it came time to sign the form waiving his right to an attorney, Burns refused. Chief Judge Mark Clarke urged Burns to come up with a waiver he is willing to sign.
At Wednesday's motion hearing, Clarke urged Burns to reconsider representing himself, and attempted to help Burns and Rowland reconcile their differences. The main issue between the two arose from an incident in which Rowland withdrew certain pro se motions Burns had filed because Rowland considered them frivolous.
Clarke suggested Rowland go ahead and file the motions to appease his client, and Rowland agreed.
“What I want is a meaningful attorney-client relationship,” said Clarke.
Burns agreed that if his concerns are met, he will continue to be counseled by Rowland rather than represent himself in the case.
The issues Burns wants addressed by the court will be discussed at the next hearing on Friday, Dec. 16 at 1 p.m.
The jury trial is set for Jan. 1.
Another hearing was heard Wednesday afternoon in the case of James R. Burns, on trial for murder in connection with the 2004 death of Thomas Condon.
At the last motion hearing, held Nov. 30, Burns requested to fire his public defender, Nathan Rowland, and instead represent himself. However, when it came time to sign the form waiving his right to an attorney, Burns refused. Chief Judge Mark Clarke urged Burns to come up with a waiver he is willing to sign.
At Wednesday's motion hearing, Clarke urged Burns to reconsider representing himself, and attempted to help Burns and Rowland reconcile their differences. The main issue between the two arose from an incident in which Rowland withdrew certain pro se motions Burns had filed because Rowland considered them frivolous.
Clarke suggested Rowland go ahead and file the motions to appease his client, and Rowland agreed.
“What I want is a meaningful attorney-client relationship,” said Clarke.
Burns agreed that if his concerns are met, he will continue to be counseled by Rowland rather than represent himself in the case.
The issues Burns wants addressed by the court will be discussed at the next hearing on Friday, Dec. 16 at 1 p.m.
The jury trial is set for Jan. 1.
