The Times Leader is reporting that Luzerne County prosecutors say attorney Demetrius Fannick should not be allowed to represent homicide suspect Harlow Cuadra.
Fannick should be disqualified from the case, the prosecutors say, because he had met with Cuadra's co-defendant, Joseph Kerekes, eight times before becoming Cuadra's attorney.
The prosecutors say those meetings with Kerekes create a conflict of interest that could hamper Kerekes' right to a fair trial. The prosecutors want a judge to remove Fannick from representing Cuadra.
Court papers say Fannick met with Kerekes eight times between Oct. 26 and Jan. 11. He also publicly stated he met with Kerekes, discussed the case and might represent Kerekes, the court papers say. Then, on Jan. 28, Fannick filed court papers indicating he will represent Cuadra.
Fannick could immediately be reached for comment Tuesday morning.
Fannick should be disqualified from the case, the prosecutors say, because he had met with Cuadra's co-defendant, Joseph Kerekes, eight times before becoming Cuadra's attorney.
The prosecutors say those meetings with Kerekes create a conflict of interest that could hamper Kerekes' right to a fair trial. The prosecutors want a judge to remove Fannick from representing Cuadra.
Court papers say Fannick met with Kerekes eight times between Oct. 26 and Jan. 11. He also publicly stated he met with Kerekes, discussed the case and might represent Kerekes, the court papers say. Then, on Jan. 28, Fannick filed court papers indicating he will represent Cuadra.
Fannick could immediately be reached for comment Tuesday morning.
