Court Opinion

ID: 8184423
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-09-09 23:06:42.185358+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:40:21.783551
License: Public Domain

Eton, O. J.
The motion for a mcvndamus-must be denied. The circuit court has not refused to decide the motion for a change of attorneys to prosecute the writ of error in this court at the cost of the county. Neither has it delayed to decide such motion' so long that a refusal to decide it cans fairly be inferred therefrom. The motion is pending, and *476doubtless will be decided in due course of procedure in that court. At least such is the presumption, and it is not repelled by anything we find in the motion papers presented to this court. No mamdmnus can properly issue in such a case.
Mr. Cole will be recognized by this court as the attorne3r for the plaintiff in error, and should be so recognized by the circuit court in the matter of settling a bill of exceptions and giving direction for the return of the record to this court. But his services will not become a legal charge against the county unless the circuit court shall, in its discretion, grant the pending motion.
By the Court.— Motion denied.
Note.— Since the above was written, Mr. Cole has filed in this court an additional affidavit and copy of an order, from which it appears that on November 16th the circuit court of Ashland county decided the motion in question, and made an order denying the same. Mr. Cole still urges, however, that such order is an abuse of the discretion of the court in the premises, and that a mandamus to correct such abuse should issue, notwithstanding the motion has been decided. We do not thiuk the denial of the motion is an abuse of discretion. Counsel seems to think that, by-refusing to have Mr. O’-Keefe or any one else except Mr. Cole as his counsel, plaintiff in error can coerce the court to appoint the latter to defend him at the expense of the county. This is a mistake. He may have whatever counsel he chooses to retain, and may refuse to accept the services of any counsel he does not want, but if he would be defended at the expense of the county he must accept the services of any reputable attorney the court, in its discretion, sees fit to appoint to perform that duty.