Judge D'Apolito delays defendant's request for new counsel

YOUNGSTOWN

Judge Lou D’Apolito has delayed a request for new defense counsel for a man charged with killing his stepmother last summer.

At a hearing Monday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court, the judge did agree to allow James Jarrell, 33, access to videotaped witness statements and to have some fibers tested by the state for DNA evidence.

The state did not have those fibers tested nor were they under obligation to have them tested, Judge D’Apolito told Jarrell.

Jarrell wanted to get new counsel because he said he was unhappy with the work of the lawyers appointed to represent him, Mark Lavelle and Andrew Zellars. Jarrell said he was upset with them because he thinks they brush back his suggestions and do not have his interests at heart.

Lavelle acknowledged disagreements but said they were more in terms of strategy on how he thinks Jarrell’s defense should be prepared.

Jarrell also told the judge he thinks his lawyers should examine his mental-health status and how it could affect his defense.

“I have issues in the past that I feel may relate to this at some extent,” Jarrell said.

Jarrell is accused of the July 7 death of Tina Jarrell, 55, who was found dead in the kitchen of her Wellington Avenue home on the West Side.

Read more about the case inTuesday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.