http://www.wkbn.com/2013/06/19/court-to-hear-fee-debate-in-cleveland-killings/COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The Ohio Supreme Court has ordered a lower court to decide a debate over fees paid to attorneys of a Cleveland man who killed 11 women.
Attorney John Parker is challenging a decision by a Cuyahoga County judge to cap attorney’s fees in the case of serial killer Anthony Sowell. Parker says it resulted in an hourly rate of only $18.50 for a 10-week trial.
Parker argues lawyers must be fairly compensated, especially in capital cases, and also says the fees issue could be used by Sowell for an ineffective counsel claim.
Prosecutors say because the cap was imposed after trial, no such claim could be brought.
The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that a Cleveland appeals court should decide.
Sowell killed 11 women between June 2007 and July 2009.
Let me get this straight? You take on the representation of a capital murder defendant (the state can potentially execute him) and some judge thinks that a little more than $18/hour is a fair wage for a 10 week trial determining if a person will literally lose their life? Keep in mind this is a senior attorney who has gone through years and years of hoops, additional classes, repeatedly to maintain his death penalty case certification, etc etc etc. $18/hour for an attorney with decades of experience and special certifications and skills?
....
I'm sorry but how exactly is this supposed to even keep up the pretense of being fair?
I'm reminded of a line from an old NGRI case (Not guilty by reason of insanity):
"Some people see things as they are and ask why? Others see things as they never were and are insane."