The nation's second-largest public defender's office has asked a judge to bar the death penalty in a double murder case because the office can't pay the expenses.
Cook County Assistant Public Defender Julie Harmon says defendant Brian Gilbert can't get a fair trial because her office has depleted its portion of a state fund that pays for costs in death penalty cases.
It was the first in what Harmon says may be many motions to block death penalty cases for lack of resources.
The Capital Litigation Trust Fund is administered by the state treasurer's office. Harmon says her office has requested more money.
The treasurer's office didn't immediately return calls seeking comment.
Illinois has had a moratorium on the death penalty since 2000.
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Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Cook County Assistant Public Defender Julie Harmon says defendant Brian Gilbert can't get a fair trial because her office has depleted its portion of a state fund that pays for costs in death penalty cases.
It was the first in what Harmon says may be many motions to block death penalty cases for lack of resources.
The Capital Litigation Trust Fund is administered by the state treasurer's office. Harmon says her office has requested more money.
The treasurer's office didn't immediately return calls seeking comment.
Illinois has had a moratorium on the death penalty since 2000.
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Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
