By Jerry Lynott
Times Leader
HARRISBURG — A judge on Thursday appointed attorneys for “death penalty proceedings” in the case of a federal inmate under investigation in the killing of corrections officer Eric Williams of Nanticoke at a prison in Wayne County.
The filing by U.S. District Chief Judge Yvette Kane signaled the direction of the prosecution of Jessie Con-Ui, even though he has not been charged.
Kane indicated the investigation “has the potential to become a capital case” when on March 11 she appointed attorneys James Swetz and Mark Fleming to represent Con-Ui, who was unable to pay for legal counsel.
A docket entry in the case listed the appointment of Swetz “in Death Penalty Proceedings.” Documents for Swetz and Fleming also noted they were appointed for “death penalty proceedings.” The docket also listed a number of sealed documents not available for public viewing.
A voice-mail message for Swetz, of Stroudsburg, was not returned. A message left for Fleming, of San Diego, Calif. was not returned.
Full story: Death penalty lawyers named in case of slain prison guard