Man charged in Hamilton firefighter’s death requests new attorney

A new attorney will be assigned to represent the man accused in the murder of a Hamilton firefighter.

Lester Parker, 66, the owner of the Pater Avenue home, where firefighter Patrick Wolterman died last December in an arson, is charged with murder and aggravated arson.

During a court hearing this morning, Parker told the judge that he did not have the money to retain an attorney and requested a public defender be appointed.

Richard Hyde, who has been representing Parker so far, confirmed to the judge that he has not been retained to represent Parker.

Parker told the judge he only had limited income from social security.

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But just after Butler County Common Pleas Judge Greg Stephens said he would submit paperwork for Parker to be appointed a public defender before a hearing rescheduled to Thursday, an issue was raised.

Hyde has an association with the public defender’s office through the municipal courts, according to Butler County assistant prosecutor David Kash.

The public defender’s office could consider it a conflict to appoint someone else associated with their office since Hyde has represented Parker to some extent, Butler County Common Pleas Judge Greg Stephens said.

Therefore, Stephens’ bailiff will go through a list of what are referred to as “conflict attorneys” for situations like these.

Parker will have an attorney appointed to him from that list, Stephens said.

“You’re going to end up with an attorney. Presumably we’ll try to find one that’s available Thursday afternoon. We’ll get all this resolved so we can get your case proceeding,” Stephens said.

Parker is being held in the Warren County Jail on a $500,000 bond.

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