Homepage > Local News > News Archive

Repeat DUI Offender Balks At Plea Deal

Defendant Tells Judge He Wants New Attorney

POSTED: 1:06 pm HST November 17, 2009
UPDATED: 1:14 pm HST November 17, 2009

A repeat DUI offender accused of killing a man in a hit and run accident was expected to agree to a deal with prosecutors on Tuesday, but instead he asked the judge to dismiss his attorney.

Siaosi Feleunga is charged with eight different offenses, including negligent homicide for a hit-and-run accident that killed Lindsey Kane last year. At the time of the accident, Feleunga's was driving with a suspended license.

Feleunga said he wanted his public defender, Jerry Villanueva, removed from his case.

"We get small kind issues. There's some motions that have been asking Mr. Villanueva to file on my behalf and he hasn't been filing them. He's telling me 'You don't have a case,'" Feleunga said.

The request was a surprise for his attorney.

"He is dissatisfied with my services, which he has not discussed with me prior to this. At this point I make the oral motion to withdraw," Villanueva said.

The judge granted Feleunga's request and will appoint a new attorney over the next two weeks. However, the judge warned the defendant that he will not be able to ask for another attorney just because he does not like the lawyer.

Feleunga remains in prison on $100,000 bail.

Links We Like

Better digestion may require some changes to your diet and schedule. Follow these suggestions to improve your digestive health. More

To guard your job security, be sure to avoid these 10 common pitfalls. More

Find out where you can buy low now and sell high when the market recovers. More

Consumer Info


Sponsored Content Provided by ARA

Sponsored Links