Judge grants Moonda's defense request
AKRON -- A federal judge has agreed to give Donna Moonda the defense team she requested.
U.S. District Judge David Dowd appointed attorneys David Grant of Cleveland and Larry Whitney of Akron to help her current attorney, Roger Synenberg. All three will be paid from public funds.
Judge Dowd, however, appointed Magistrate Judge Nancy Vecchiarelli of Cleveland to monitor expenses. Judge Dowd cautioned that there should be no duplication of services among the three attorneys.
Synenberg argued earlier this week before Judge Dowd that a third attorney is essential to Moonda's defense because she could face the death penalty if convicted.
Because it's a death penalty case, Moonda was already entitled to two attorneys. The third attorney was the issue argued before the court.
Moonda, 47, of Hermitage, Pa., is being held without bond in the shooting death of her husband, Dr. Gulam Moonda, 69, in 2005.