Judge instructs defendants to communicate with attorney

The Honorable Donna Taylor, while presiding from the bench of the Antelope County Court in Neligh on Oct. 5, lectured two defendants on the importance of communicating with their court-appointed attorney.

Antelope County public defender Pat Carney of Norfolk, had filed a motion Sept. 30, to withdraw as counsel for Aaron C. Poellot, 38, of Osmond. Poellot is charged with a Class 2 misdemeanor theft count related to a May 2 gas drive-off from Royal One Stop. In the motion, Carney indicated Poellot had failed to communicate with his office, leaving him no way to effectively represent the defendant.

Taylor asked Poellot if he had talked to his attorney at all. Poellot answered, “not really.” In explanation, he said his phone had been shut off for a while and he had no way to contact the attorney. He claimed he had later left two messages for Carney that had not been returned. He further explained his late appearance Aug.7. saying he left a message for Carney saying he was waiting for a ride to court and would be late.

Taylor set the case aside and asked Poellet and Carney to confer and try to reach agreement for his defense. When they came back before the judge, Carney asked her to continue the case, including his motion to withdraw, to Nov. 16.

“His phone is working now, hopefully we can communicate,” he said.

Taylor continued the case and urged Poellot to talk to Carney and warned that if he failed to appear Nov. 16 or hadn’t communicated with Carney, she would “probably issue a warrant.

If you are in jail, he will know where to find you,” she said. “He can’t do anything for you unless you talk to him.”

The next case before Taylor was another of Carney’s clients, Bobbi S. Jenkins, 37, of Plainview who appeared for pretrial hearing on two counts alleged July 12, no proof of financial responsibility, a Class 2 misdemeanor, and traveling on a closed road, an infraction.

When asked by Taylor about any resolution of the case, Carney asked for continuance so they could communicate.

“I am not sure what Ms. Jenkins wants to do at this point,” he said.

Taylor continued the hearing to Nov. 16. She said many defendants think they can have a court-appointed attorney who will “magically” take care of everything.

“If you want to be represented by an attorney, then you need to do your part,” she said.