THE DETECTIVE AND THE LAWYERS
David Pleasanton, Kevin
Coleman's court-appointed attorney
Age: 38
Background: Private practice, West Palm Beach, 1989
to present. Candidate for Circuit Court judge, 1996. Prosecutor, Palm
Beach County state attorney's office, 1985-1989.
Jack Orsley, Kevin Coleman's
court-appointed co-counsel
Age: 42
Background: Partner, Orsley & Cripps, 1980 to
present. Associate with civil firm in West Palm Beach, 1980.
Carey Haughwout, attorney who
agreed to handle Coleman's post-conviction appeal for free
Age: 38
Background: Private practice in West Palm Beach,
1990 to present. Assistant public defender, 1987 to 1990.
Edward Leo Brochu III, lead detective
Age: 31
Background: Riviera Beach Police Department since
1987. Florida Highway Patrol auxiliary trooper 1984-1987. Handled
three murder cases before becoming lead detective in Bobby Roddy's murder.
Allen Geesey, Assistant state
attorney who handled prosecution
Age: 41
Background: Private practice, West Palm Beach.
Assistant state attorney, Palm Beach County, 1987-1991 and 1993-1995.
LAWYER QUALIFICATIONS
In October 1994, the Palm Beach County criminal
defense bar established these qualifications for lawyers in
first-degree murder cases:
At least five years' experience handling criminal cases.
Acted as lead attorney in at least five trials
involving serious crimes.
Tried at least one case in which the death penalty
was sought or worked as second-chair attorney in two death penalty cases.
Recently completed a training or educational
program about trying death penalty cases.
If these guidelines had been in effect in 1992,
attorney David Pleasanton would not have been qualified to handle
Kevin Coleman's case.
Today, Pleasanton is qualified to act only as
second chair in a first-degree murder trial.
- VAL ELLICOTT
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