Homicide Suspect Seeks Delay Of Hearing, Longer Phone Time

(Juneau) A Fox Lake murder suspect said he needs more time to find counsel. Last month, Laverne Ware Jr. relieved attorney’s Donna Kuchler and Travis Cotton, citing his displeasure with their handling of his case. During a motion hearing Tuesday, Ware told the court that an April 12 hearing needs to be postponed to allow any new attorneys the time to work through the witness list.

District Attorney Kurt Klomberg said Ware has relieved multiple attorneys already by his own choice and is intent on delaying the proceedings (quote) “till the end of time.” Klomberg said that the motion should be denied as Ware is victimizing those who wish to see the case move forward.

Ware noted that he is facing life in prison and that due process cannot be rushed. The defendant added that his prior attorneys were not effective and asked he asked for additional 60 days to continue his search.

Ware also said that his sixth amendment rights are being violated while he attempts to find counsel at the county jail. Ware maintained that the allotted 50 minutes for phone use is not enough to contact lawyer’s and saying that he would need several hours a day in order to find representation.

Judge Brian Pfitzinger gave Ware two weeks to find counsel and at the end of that time frame the court will address the issue of waiver of attorney if Ware does not make reasonable efforts to obtain new counsel. A hearing will be held Wednesday afternoon to determine if Ware can adequately contact representation from jail.

Ware is accused of murdering his girlfriend and first cousin, Sesalie Dixon, in December of 2016. The 27-year-old was found in the cab of Ware’s pick-up truck inside a Fox Lake garage with a gunshot wound to the head.