By David Lohr
October 16, 2007
MADISON, IN (Crime Library) — A hearing for convicted murderer Melinda Loveless, 31, has been postponed on the grounds that her attorney, Mark Small of Indianapolis, was denied access to his client before the hearing was to begin.
Loveless was supposed to appear at a court hearing yesterday to determine if she should get out of jail early for her role in the 1992 torture and murder of 12-year-old Shanda Renee' Sharer. Small was planning on arguing that Loveless' sentencing rights were violated and that she had received insufficient legal representation. However, prior to the start of the hearing, Small met with the judge and prosecutor in chambers and requested a continuance.
200.jpg) |
| Melinda Loveless |
According to Small, he attempted to visit Melinda Loveless twice on Sunday to prepare for Monday's hearing, and both times he was refused access to his client because jail officials said they were busy with bookings.
"It's very important for an attorney to consult with his or her client, especially right before a major hearing," Small told Wave3.com.
The judge agreed with Small and granted a 60-day continuance.
Prior to Monday's ruling, Small spoke with News-tribune.net. During a telephone interview, he said that Loveless had been abused as a child and that the severity of the abuse had made her "profoundly retarded." Small also said his client had pled guilty under duress because she was afraid of facing the death sentence and did not understand all her options.
Jefferson County Prosecutor Chad Lewis disagrees with Small. During an interview with the same website, Lewis balked at claims that Loveless had ineffective counsel.
"She had three attorneys, two who were very high-profile with death penalty cases," Lewis said. "She had a dream team, so to speak... [She] also had a proven benefit to pleading guilty to the charges in that she avoided the death penalty."
Next Page
Melinda Loveless Seeks Early Release in Shanda Sharer Case
Death of Innocence - The Murder of Young Shanda Sharer
For More Daily Crime News
default
increase
decrease
email
print