Killer's appeal of conviction says his trial attorney was ineffective

MERCER, Pa. -- Common Pleas Judge Michael Wherry promised a quick ruling on convicted murderer Ronald Fuller's appeal seeking to overturn his conviction.
Fuller, 27, of Emerson Avenue, Farrell, was convicted of first-degree murder, burglary, possession of a prohibited offensive weapon and possession of an instrument of crime in the May 29, 1999, shotgun slaying of Jeremy Farrand, 13, in Farrand's Prindle Street, Sharon, home.
Fuller was sentenced to life in prison without parole but has appealed his case, arguing that his attorney was ineffective at trial.
A hearing on the appeal was held Thursday before Wherry, who indicated he would render a quick decision, said Atty. James Epstein, Mercer County district attorney.
Epstein said Fuller's new attorney, Paul Powers of Mercer, argued that his trial attorney, Wayne Hundertmark, failed to object to testimony by some key witnesses in the case, including Fuller's girlfriend, Regina Campbell, despite the fact that their trial testimony differed from earlier statements to police.
Further, Powers argued that Hundertmark failed to object to certain statements made by Wherry during his charge to the jury, Epstein said.
Hundertmark testified during the hearing and said his trial strategy was to focus on the whole group of witnesses put on by the prosecution, challenging the reliability of all of their testimony, rather than to challenge individual witnesses, Epstein said.
Powers has already indicated the case will be appealed to State Superior Court if Wherry rules against Fuller, Epstein said.