The defense lawyer says he can't be ready for the November trial. But the judge insists on a ''drop-dead date.''
By MOLLY MOORHEAD, Times Staff Writer
Published August 23, 2006
DADE CITY - An attorney for Alfredie Steele Jr. said Tuesday that he cannot be ready for the November trial of the man accused of killing a Pasco sheriff's deputy sniper-style in 2003.
A judge told him to find a way.
Assistant public defender Tom Hanlon said he has about 18 depositions of witnesses and investigators still to take and wants to use a firearms expert who is moving back to the area in November. He nearly lost his cool in the crowded chambers of Circuit Judge Linda Babb, as his client sat in the chair next to him wearing a red prison jumpsuit and handcuffs.
"I can't effectively represent him under the terms of this, so that's fine," Hanlon said. "I don't mean to be rude, but when you're trying to kill this kid. ..."
Babb replied: "I'm not trying to kill anyone."
Steele, 22, faces the death penalty if convicted in the shooting death of Pasco sheriff's Lt. Charles "Bo" Harrison, who was shot in his patrol car outside the Trilacoochee nightclub Rumors on June 1, 2003.
Babb denied Hanlon's motion for a continuance. The trial remains set for Nov. 13.
"I get the feeling this is never going to be ready unless we give you a drop-dead date," the judge said.
