Bell’s penalty phase slated

• By STEVEN WARD
• Advocate staff writer
• Published: Apr 16, 2008 - Page: 1B - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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Defense attorneys for convicted mass murderer Anthony Bell on Tuesday were granted two days to prepare for the penalty phase of the trial despite their request for 60 days.

As it now stands, the penalty phase will begin Thursday morning — after a five-day hiatus during which defense attorneys sought the additional time to prepare.

Bell, 27, represented himself in the trial’s initial phase, which ended Friday night in his conviction on five counts of first-degree murder and a count of attempted first-degree murder.

After hearing testimony in the penalty phase, the same jurors who convicted Bell will recommend a sentence of life or death.

In February, Bell fired his court-appointed public defenders, Greg Rome and Margaret Lagattuta.

On Saturday, Bell asked state District Court Judge Todd Hernandez to reappoint Rome and Lagattuta to handle his defense in the penalty phase.

Rome and Lagattuta told Hernandez they needed at least 60 days to prepare — a request Hernandez denied.

The two defense attorneys then asked the 1st Circuit Court of Appeal and the Louisiana Supreme Court to review Hernandez’ ruling.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted the attorneys two days.

The high court, in its ruling, says, “A defendant may not force a postponement of trial, or, in present case, the penalty phase of a capital trial, by manipulating his right to counsel in an untimely manner.”

The ruling also says “considering the jury sequestration ordered by the trial court, any longer delay is not feasible or warranted.”

Lagattuta said Tuesday she and Rome still need more time.

“Obviously it’s not enough time. According to ABA (American Bar Association) guidelines for representing capital defendants, it says we get 90 days to prepare,” Lagattuta said.