Opinion ID: 1671889
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Court Appointed Co-counsel

Text: The defendant also contends that because this is a capital case, he is entitled to two attorneys and that we should therefore order the trial court to appoint co-counsel. An indigent defendant clearly has no statutory right to having two attorneys in a capital case. La. S.Ct. Rule XXXI (R). [3] However, La. S.Ct. Rule XXXI (J)(a) does provide that a court shall appoint at least two attorneys to represent an indigent defendant in a capital case. Likewise, the Louisiana Standards on Indigent Defense also recommend a minimum of two attorneys in a capital case. This is premised upon one attorney assigned primary responsibility for the guilt phase and the other the sentencing phase. See State v. Williams, 480 So.2d 721, 728, n. 14 (La.1985). The presence of an additional attorney also decreases the chance for attorney error, especially important in a bifurcated capital trial. It is plainly preferable to have two attorneys in a capital case and we find no reason that the presence of collaterally retained private counsel should eliminate the need or countermand the advantages of two. Further, we can discern no reasoning nor find authority for the proposition that an indigent defendant is entitled to two State-funded attorneys, but an indigent defendant who has retained counsel from a collateral source is not entitled to a second counsel. Certainly, it is in the best interest of the taxpayer to encourage collaterally obtained counsel at no cost to the public fisc. It would therefore defy logic to punish such a defendant by refusing to appoint co-counsel because he has, in effect, saved IDB funds through retention of private counsel. However, we reiterate that an indigent capital defendant has no recognized right to two attorneys and in some cases may not desire a second appointed counsel. In such a case, it would be unjust to require a defendant to accept appointed counsel along with his retained counsel. Because there is no right to second counsel, because a defendant may oppose the appointment, and because other unforeseen reasons may weigh against appointment of second counsel, such an appointment is left to the discretion of the trial court. In the instant case, the factors weigh heavily in favor of appointing second counsel. This is a capital case and the presence of co-counsel would best serve the interests of all concerned, including the defendant, the IDB, and the public fisc, as well as the State's interest in ensuring that the defendant receives a fair trial with a minimum of errors. However, the trial court has yet to consider the issue. The court removed Di Giulio while simultaneously appointing two attorneys from the IDB. The defendant has yet to request appointment of second counsel following the reinstatement of Di Giulio by this opinion. Therefore, we decline to order the trial court to appoint co-counsel at this time. The issue is not ripe for review. We add as a final cautionary note that it is the defendant's indigency which gives rise to the appointment of counsel. In a case of suspected abuse, such as that previously discussed, the local IDB can challenge the defendant's indigent status, which could result in the loss of appointed co-counsel as well as State funding.