Federal court orders release of John Myers II in Jill Behrman murder

[cobber]

Did he hire his own counsel, or was he appointed a "public pretender"?

 

[MarkC]

Did he hire his own counsel, or was he appointed a "public pretender"?

He had "hired" his own counsel; he was initially appointed a public defender, but the "hired" counsel showed up at the jail and offered to represent him, for free (pro bono). There was no prior relationship between the defendant and the "hired" counsel, it was just a cold call, with the counsel visiting the defendant at the jail. The counsel then later charged the family for "expenses" related to the defendant's appeal.

Soliciting the representation the way he did, charging the family expenses, and some other ethical shortcomings eventually led the Supreme Court to suspend the attorney for six months, after which he had to apply and prove fitness for reinstatement of his law license. https://www.in.gov/judiciary/files/atty-disc-2011-49S00-0802-DI-73.pdf