BY JANICE MORSE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
HAMILTON -- Franklin D. Saunders, accused of the murder of his ex-girlfriend, has changed his lawyers, his plea and his trial date. He faces the death penalty if convicted.
Mr. Saunders, 39, of Blue Ash, withdrew his plea of "not guilty by reason of insanity" Thursday in Butler County Common Pleas Court. He is accused of dragging Lisa Weber, 39, of Fairfield, into a wooded area of Union Township and shooting her to death.
His new lawyers, J. Gregory Howard and Craig Hedric, gave no explanation for the plea change, which leaves Mr. Saunders pleading not guilty. But Mr. Howard said, "We don't know why (the insanity plea) was filed previously by his former counsel."
No further explanation could be obtained because Judge H. J. Bressler has issued a gag order prohibiting involved parties from commenting on the case.
Mr. Saunders is charged with aggravated murder, kidnapping and violating a previous court order forbidding him from possessing weapons.
Ken Lawson and Rodney Harris formerly served as Mr. Saunders' lawyers, but Judge Bressler excused them last month after they said it would serve their client's best interests. Judge Bressler appointed Mr. Howard and Mr. Hedric, who signed documents attesting that the Ohio Supreme Court has certified them to handle death-penalty cases.
Mr. Saunders' trial had been set for November, but is being rescheduled for Feb. 8 at his lawyers' request. That date will be formally changed after his lawyers file documents, including a waiver of his right to a speedy trial. Without such a waiver, Ohio says a felony defendant who is jailed is entitled to a trial within 90 days.
Several members of the victim's family groaned when Mr. Saunders requested the delay and when Butler County Assistant Prosecutor John Holcomb Jr. said he had no objection to the change.
Mr. Howard said a new date was needed because Jim Crates, whom he described as Ohio's only mitigation expert, was busy until February. Mitigation is the process of allowing a defendant to present evidence intended to show why he should be granted some leniency.
Judge Bressler is expected to hold a hearing Tuesday on whether the state will pay for experts to assist with Mr. Saunders' defense. Other issues also are pending, including defense lawyers' requests for various records.
