Opinion ID: 783527
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Representation by Defense Attorneys DiBlasi and O'Grady

Text: 10 After indictment, Dallio moved to suppress his admissions to the police as involuntary custodial statements made in violation of his right to counsel. A seven-day hearing was conducted over the course of almost two years. On the first four hearing days, June 9-10, 1993, and September 14 and 16, 1993, Detective Copeland testified and was extensively cross-examined by Dallio's then-assigned counsel, Joseph V. DiBlasi. Dissatisfied with DiBlasi's performance, Dallio filed a pro se formal motion in 1994 for new counsel, whereupon John J. O'Grady was assigned responsibility for the defense. 11 When the suppression hearing resumed on March 30, 1995, O'Grady cross-examined Detective Pierce. An issue then arose about Dallio's desire to have Copeland recalled for further cross-examination. Addressing the court directly, Dallio cogently explained that he intended to testify at the hearing, that he understood that his credibility vis-à-vis the police officers would be critical to the court's decision, and that, for this reason, he deemed it imperative that Copeland be impeached with various inconsistent prior statements. The court agreed to have Detective Copeland recalled.