From the link above:
Some Iowans also think Bahena Rivera's public defender is running up the state's tab and costing taxpayers money.
Local 5 can verify: Bahena Rivera is being defended by Chad and Jennifer Frese, a private legal team based in Marshalltown.
They said the defense is being funded by "family and acquaintances," meaning Behena Rivera's attorneys are not being paid for by the public.
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I might be thinking of another case but I thought I remembered State funds approved for an investigator for the defendant. MOO