http://www.sun-herald.com/newsarchive2/102606/ch12.htm?date=102606&story=ch12.htm
SARASOTA -- Who is representing the Fullwoods during their custody hearing?
That is the question Circuit Court Judge Rick DeFuria asked to a confused "coalition" of attorneys at Wednesday's motion hearing in Sarasota.
Fort Myers attorney John Coleman, who was the lawyer for the Fullwood family, requested written permission to withdraw his representation of Dale Fullwood Wednesday during the custody hearings of his six children, ages 4 -12.
Fullwood, 46, is the father of 6-year-old Coralrose, who was found dead on Sept. 17, two blocks from her home.
Coleman has represented Dale and Ellen-Beth Fullwood, at all hearings after the Department of Children and Families removed their four children from them two days after Coralrose's death.
DeFuria ordered temporary custody of the children to their grandparents, Saul and Doreen VanderWoude of Fort Myers. He said the parents could not be around their children unless they were supervised by one of the VanderWoudes.
On Oct. 11, Fullwood was arrested. He is being held in the Sarasota County Jail on $50,000 bond for charges of two counts of possession of child











. However, he was in DeFuria's courtroom Wednesday. Neither Ellen-Beth nor Coleman were at court.
"I think, quite frankly, it's a little confusing," DeFuria said.
At the last hearing, DeFuria said Coleman represented the children, Dale and Ellen-Beth, and the grandparents (Saul and Doreen VanderWoude).
DeFuria said according to an appearance record, Coleman is now representing the children only.
DCF attorney David Taylor told DeFuria that Coleman said during the first shelter hearing on Sept. 19, he intended to file the document saying he was representing the Fullwoods.
"Coleman might have appeared to be representing everyone, but he had not filed the proper documentation," DeFuria said. "Now he is trying to withdraw his representing of Dale Fullwood."
In an Oct. 23 document, Coleman wrote: "Since Dale Fullwood is being represented by the public defender's office on the criminal charges, I request permission to withdraw representation of Dale Fullwood, because the arrest created a conflict of interest between Dale and Ellen-Beth that would prevent this from going any further."
DeFuria said the criminal matters has nothing to do with the shelter hearing.
"He can say all he wants. Unless he files the proper papers, what I say is the way it is," DeFuria said. "He (Coleman) does not officially represent anybody but the children."
DeFuria asked all attorneys involved to call Coleman and have him decide whom he is representing.
Coleman's motion to withdraw contradicts what is filed with the court.
DeFuria assigned Debra Salisbury to represent Dale Fullwood in the shelter hearing. And if Coleman does not file an appearance record, Ellen-Beth will not have representation.
On Nov. 29, Dale and Ellen-Beth will find out what the accusations against them are in the custody hearing.
Coleman was not available for comment.