This story was originally mentioned last Friday, and I'll now be posting the three mentioned invoices separately. It should also be noted that I was incorrect in my original post stating that this was being billed to Joseph Kerekes (thanks for catching that will g). These invoices are in fact being billed to the Luzerne County Courts. My apologies for the original error. (Simply click the image below to enlarge):
ORDER
AND NOW, this 3rd day of January, 2009 upon receipt and review of the attached Motion to Pay Computer Forensic Expert Invoice, it is hereby ORDERED AND DIRECTED that:
1. The Luzerne County Controller approve the payment of the Invoice, attached as “Exhibit 2” to the Motion, in the amount of $4990.16; and
2. The Luzerne County Treasurer issue a check payable to “Surveillance Technology Group, Inc., XXXXXX, XXXXXXXX, PA XXXXX” in the amount of $4990.16 for services rendered, representing payment in full.
MOTION TO PAY COMPUTER FORENSIC EXPERT IN VOICE
The defendant, Joseph Manuel Kerekes (“Mr. Kerekes”), by and through his counsel, Shelley L. Centini, Esq. and John Pike, Esq. Court-Appointed Conflict Counselors for Luzerne County, respectfully requests this Court to Order payment of computer forensic expert invoice and represents as follows:
1. Mr. Kerekes is an adult individual presently incarcerated and serving a life sentence after pleading guilty to second degree murder and other offenses on December 8, 2008.
2. On May 15, 2007 Mr. Kerekes was charged by Criminal Complaint with the following offenses: Criminal Homicide (Title 18 Pa.C.S. Sec. 2501 (a)), Criminal Conspiracy to Commit Criminal Homicide (Title 18 Pa.C.S. Sec. 903(a)(1)), Liability for the Conduct of Another/Complicity (Title 18 Pa.C.S. Sec. 306(B)(3)(ii)), Arson and Related Offenses—Recklessly endangering (Title 16 Pa.C.S. Sec. 3301(a)(1)(i)), Arson and Related Offenses—Inhabited Building (Title 18 Pa.C.S. Sec. 3301 (a)(1)(ii)), Burglary (Title 18 Pa.C.S. Sec. 3502(a)), Robbery (Title 18 Pa.C.S. Sec. 3701(a)(1)(i)), Theft by Unlawful Taking (Title 18 Pa.C.S. Sec. 3921 (a)), Tampering with Physical Evidence (Title 18 Pa.C.S. Sec. 4910(1)), Abuse of Corpse (Title 18 Pa.C.S. Sec. 5510), Conspiracy to Commit Burglary (Title 18 Pa.C.S Sec. 903(a)(1)), Criminal Conspiracy to Commit Robbery (Title 18 Pa.C.S. Sec. 903(a)(1 )), Criminal Conspiracy to Commit Tampering with Physical Evidence (Title 18 Pa.C.S. Sec. 903(a) (1)), and Criminal Conspiracy to Commit Arson—Recklessly endangering (Title 18 Pa.C.S. Sec. 903(a)(1)).
3. On October 1, 2007 the Commonwealth filed their Notice of Aggravating Circumstances, advising that they intended to seek the death penalty against Mr. Kerekes.
4. In preparation for jury trial and/or penalty phase, on June 16, 2008 this Court approved counsel’s request to engage the services of Sherman Nowlin of Surveillance Technology Group, Inc., as defendant’s computer forensic expert at a rate not to exceed $5000.00 for work on the defendant’s case. Order attached as “Exhibit 1.”
5. On December 13, 2008, Mr. Nowlin sent his bill to counsel. The bill totals $4990.16. See Invoice attached as “Exhibit 2.”
6. Conflict counsel are appointed by the Court to defendants who qualify for representation by the Public Defender’s Office because of their indigency but whom the Public Defender’s Office cannot represent given a conflict of interest.
7. As of the date of this Petition, the undersigned is aware of no substantial change in the defendant’s financial condition since the court appointment of counsel. The defendant is unable to pay the fees and costs associated with the computer forensic expert from his own funds.
8. The engagement of Mr. Nowlin was essential to a fair trial and to the defendant’s right to effective assistance of counsel and due process and equal protection of law as guaranteed by the United States and Pennsylvania Constitutions.
WHEREFORE, the defendant respectfully requests that this Honorable Court enter an Order directing that the Luzerne County Controller approve payment of the Invoice attached in the amount of $4990.16 and directing the Luzerne County Treasurer to issue a check payable to “Surveillance Technology Group, Inc.” in the amount of $4990.16 as payment in full of the attached invoice.
1. The Luzerne County Controller approve the payment of the Invoice, attached as “Exhibit 2” to the Motion, in the amount of $4990.16; and
2. The Luzerne County Treasurer issue a check payable to “Surveillance Technology Group, Inc., XXXXXX, XXXXXXXX, PA XXXXX” in the amount of $4990.16 for services rendered, representing payment in full.
BY THE COURT:
Peter Paul Olszewski Jr.
Peter Paul Olszewski Jr.
MOTION TO PAY COMPUTER FORENSIC EXPERT IN VOICE
The defendant, Joseph Manuel Kerekes (“Mr. Kerekes”), by and through his counsel, Shelley L. Centini, Esq. and John Pike, Esq. Court-Appointed Conflict Counselors for Luzerne County, respectfully requests this Court to Order payment of computer forensic expert invoice and represents as follows:
1. Mr. Kerekes is an adult individual presently incarcerated and serving a life sentence after pleading guilty to second degree murder and other offenses on December 8, 2008.
2. On May 15, 2007 Mr. Kerekes was charged by Criminal Complaint with the following offenses: Criminal Homicide (Title 18 Pa.C.S. Sec. 2501 (a)), Criminal Conspiracy to Commit Criminal Homicide (Title 18 Pa.C.S. Sec. 903(a)(1)), Liability for the Conduct of Another/Complicity (Title 18 Pa.C.S. Sec. 306(B)(3)(ii)), Arson and Related Offenses—Recklessly endangering (Title 16 Pa.C.S. Sec. 3301(a)(1)(i)), Arson and Related Offenses—Inhabited Building (Title 18 Pa.C.S. Sec. 3301 (a)(1)(ii)), Burglary (Title 18 Pa.C.S. Sec. 3502(a)), Robbery (Title 18 Pa.C.S. Sec. 3701(a)(1)(i)), Theft by Unlawful Taking (Title 18 Pa.C.S. Sec. 3921 (a)), Tampering with Physical Evidence (Title 18 Pa.C.S. Sec. 4910(1)), Abuse of Corpse (Title 18 Pa.C.S. Sec. 5510), Conspiracy to Commit Burglary (Title 18 Pa.C.S Sec. 903(a)(1)), Criminal Conspiracy to Commit Robbery (Title 18 Pa.C.S. Sec. 903(a)(1 )), Criminal Conspiracy to Commit Tampering with Physical Evidence (Title 18 Pa.C.S. Sec. 903(a) (1)), and Criminal Conspiracy to Commit Arson—Recklessly endangering (Title 18 Pa.C.S. Sec. 903(a)(1)).
3. On October 1, 2007 the Commonwealth filed their Notice of Aggravating Circumstances, advising that they intended to seek the death penalty against Mr. Kerekes.
4. In preparation for jury trial and/or penalty phase, on June 16, 2008 this Court approved counsel’s request to engage the services of Sherman Nowlin of Surveillance Technology Group, Inc., as defendant’s computer forensic expert at a rate not to exceed $5000.00 for work on the defendant’s case. Order attached as “Exhibit 1.”
5. On December 13, 2008, Mr. Nowlin sent his bill to counsel. The bill totals $4990.16. See Invoice attached as “Exhibit 2.”
6. Conflict counsel are appointed by the Court to defendants who qualify for representation by the Public Defender’s Office because of their indigency but whom the Public Defender’s Office cannot represent given a conflict of interest.
7. As of the date of this Petition, the undersigned is aware of no substantial change in the defendant’s financial condition since the court appointment of counsel. The defendant is unable to pay the fees and costs associated with the computer forensic expert from his own funds.
8. The engagement of Mr. Nowlin was essential to a fair trial and to the defendant’s right to effective assistance of counsel and due process and equal protection of law as guaranteed by the United States and Pennsylvania Constitutions.
WHEREFORE, the defendant respectfully requests that this Honorable Court enter an Order directing that the Luzerne County Controller approve payment of the Invoice attached in the amount of $4990.16 and directing the Luzerne County Treasurer to issue a check payable to “Surveillance Technology Group, Inc.” in the amount of $4990.16 as payment in full of the attached invoice.
Respectfully Submitted,
SHELLEY L. CENTINI, ESQ.
Conflict Counsel for Defendant
SHELLEY L. CENTINI, ESQ.
Conflict Counsel for Defendant
