Nurmi wanted to withdraw only because he had quit as a public defender and gone into private practice. The judge ruled he could not withdraw becaue of the case being so soon on the docket - there was no time for new counsel to be brought in. For a brief period though, Jodi wanted to represent herself and two other attorneys were assigned to assist her though she would be considered as lead counsel. I can't really recall how all this worked out with Nurmi back on the case, but it was not JA's doing to try to get rid of him, nor did he want to withdraw because she was a loser client - it all came down to money (private practice pays WAY better).
There's a post with a link about two or three threads back to I think it was someone's twitter page that listed all this and the dates each decision about it occurred and Nurmi's pay scale agreed upon, etc.
It would have been a riot to see her being her own attorney though.
OK..
Laundry - Done
House Cleaning -Done
Research to satisfy my curiosity - In Progress
So Far:
Defense Counsel History re: Court minutes
09-11-2008 First public defender at arraignment is James Hann -There is a minute entry about the public defender having a possible conflict.
09-19-08 public defender Maria Shaffer is assigned
12-18-08 Primary public defender is Maria Shaffer & secondary is Gregory T. Parzych
05-18-09 Jodi ordered to take IQ & Competency tests.
05-22-09 The defendant submitted a request for a change of counsel (Sealed)
08-10-09 Withdrawal of Counsel Maria Shaffer & Gregory T. Parzych
08-18-09 Victoria Washington Kirk Nurmi appointed as Defense Counsel
Probable Cause Hearing Det. Florez/Med Examiner testify
2/25/11 Kirk Nurmi announced to the Court that he is leaving the Public Defenders Office
3/8/2011 Hearing regarding Kirk Nurmi withdrawing as defense counsel. Nurmi ordered to continue as lead defense counsel at the standard public defender hourly rate paid to the primary defense counsel.
3/9/2011 Nurmi submits formal motion to withdraw. Hearing on the motion was set for 3/21/2011
3/21/2011 Mr. Nurmis motion to withdraw as counsel is denied. Public Defender Office notifies Mr. Nurmi that they are withdrawing the mitigation specialist, investigator, and paralegal because the Public Defender Office does not want Mr. Nurmi directing staff when he is no longer an employee.
3/22/2011 Hearing - Second motion to withdraw by Mr. Nurmi.Mr. Motion denied. Nurmi required to remain as the primary counsel and Public Defender Office must immediately reassign the personnel to the case.
4/4/2011 Mr. Nurmi states objection to remaining on the case during a status hearing as he has left the Public Defender Office to go into private practice. The Court finds that Mr. Nurmi has an ethical obligation to continue representing the defendant but will begin receiving a reasonable hourly rate of $225.00 as compensation to avoid any financial interests that would place Mr. Nurmi in conflict with his client.
08-08-11 Ex Parte Hearing: Counsel for the Defendant invokes the rule of exclusion of witnesses and the witnesses leave the courtroom.
Over the objection of the State, Ex Parte hearing proceeds at this time.
***Juan Martinez leaves the courtroom***
ORDER: Sealing this proceeding and directing court reporter, Michael Babicky, to seal the proceeding between 4:27 p.m. and 4:43 p.m., not to be opened or transcribed without further order of the Court.
Jodi oral motion to represent herself. (Pro Se.)
ORDER: Pro Se
ORDER: Defendants attorneys Victoria-Nurmi appointed as **advisory council**.
The evidentiary hearing on the purported letters from Travis Alexander alleging he is a pedophile is held with Ms. Arias as defense counsel.
Jodi ordered to interview 2 witnesses by phone & advise court if need to be present for testimony.
08-09-11 Heather Nitterauer (Inmate) testifys
08-10-11 08-10-11
***Advisory Counsel, Victoria Washington addresses possible issues with witness, Matthew McCartney as stated on the record.*** Evidentiary Hearing re: Application for Leave to Intervene for the Limited Purposes of (1) Seeking the Courts Approval on In Sessions Camera Coverage Request and (2) Opposing Defendants Motion to Reconsider Media Access and Motion to Continue Trial by Defendant.
ORDERED: In Session 3 cameras (certain evidentiary hearings may or may not have media coverage)
Advisory Counsel, Victoria Washington addresses the Court regarding the proper role of an advisory council as stated on the record.
Advisory Counsel, Kirk Nurmi further adds to Ms. Washingtons argument on role of advisory council.
Court addresses the Defendant and the courts concern about the Defendant continuing to represent herself in this matter. However, the court has made its findings and the defendant is now representing herself. This Court, again, will as the Defendant if this is her final decision to represent herself in this matter.
Defendant has prepared a statement to read to the Court at this time.
Courts prior motion in allowing Advisory Counsel to continue arguing the legal motions pending will remain in effect and continuance of the Evidentiary Hearing will resume on Monday, August 15, 2011, at 10:30 a.m. for the Defendants witness to come in and testify.
Advisory Council, Kirk Nurmi addresses the court regarding the witnesses as stated on the record.
Bench conference is held at the request of Advisory Council, Victoria Washington.
Motion filed 08/01/2011, #12, Defendants list: Motion for Specific Discovery.
Advisory Council, Victoria Washington has received additional material and finds the motion now to be moot.
ORDERED: Defense Motion filed 08/01/2011 is denied since all materials in the States possession have been disclosed.
Defendants Motion to exclude Nude Photo filed on 06/27/2011, and the States
Response, filed 07/06/2011 is argued and denied
ORDERED: Motion denied re: Testimonial Statements, filed on 06/27/2011.
IT IS ORDERED granting Defense Counsels Oral Motion for the Court to hold off on ruling in the States Motion in Limine to Preclude Certain Testimony from Defendants Expert to Preclude Hearsay Statements of Victim filed 06/27/2011 until the trial has begun and before those expert witnesses testify, if they testify.
IT IS ORDERED granting the Defendants Motion to withhold Motion to Withdraw filed 06/27/2011.
Ordered: Voir Dire Jury screening during 08/02/2011 through 09/19/2011 (48
days)
08-11-11 Jodi ordered to disclose original letters or source of electronic correspondence. State files motion to preclude letters.
08-15-2011 Rosemary Urbanski (Forensic document examiner) testifys.
Jodi requests reinstatement of advisory council. The Court orders Kirk Nurmi and Victoria Washington to represent the defendant in all further proceedings.
Defense withdraws objection to preclude.
ORDER: Letters Precluded.
12-16-11 Victoria Washington files motion to withdraw (Conflict of interest because she had represented someone else involved in this case.)(MM?)
12-22-11 Withdrawal of Counsel-Victoria Washington (Sealed preceding)Public Defender Office will appoint a new second counsel, investigator, mitigation specialist, and paralegal.
01-03-12 Public Defender Jennifer Willmott: Assigned as second counsel to represent Jodi Arias.
01-28-13 Evidentiary Hearing: Defense exibits: #1, #2 & #3
Gus Searcy is sworn in.
Exibit #1 received into evidence for purpose of hearing only and shall be under seal. Exibits #2 & #3 received into evidence.
Chris Hughs sworn in.
01-31-13 Hearing: Defendants exibit # 420 marked for ID.
ORDER: This portion of transcript from 1:25pm through 1:28pm shall be sealed not to be transcribed without prior order of the court.
Further discussion
Witness: Lisa Diadone
ORDER: The portion of the chamber hearings held on 01-30-13 between 2:10pm through 2:23pm and 3:03pm through 3:16pm shall be sealed not to be transcribed without prior order of the court.
FURTHER ORDERED; the portion of the evidentiary hearing with Gus Searcy shall be sealed not to be transcribed without prior order of the court.
Jodi represented herself Aug 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 of 2011.
Note the hearing was sealed on Aug 8th. JM and all witnesses were ordered to leave. During the time Jodi represented herself, One inmate testified and she made two phone calls acting as her own attorney and am SURE one of those calls were made to MM.
I was elated when I discovered the reason Victoria Washington withdrew.. MM!
Juan refered to MM and or someone testifying this January in his cross of Jodi re: Jurers questions this past Friday... therefore I've included 1/28 & 1/31 minutes as there is alot of I'm sure .. jucy... "Stuff" sealed... Not to be transcribed without prior order of the court.
IMO.. MM & Good Ol' Gus know a whole lot more than some people want to be made public.
Monday should be very interresting...