Judge delays appointing new counsel for man charged with homicide

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 today 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 where 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.

For the complete story, read Tuesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com