Tuesday, October 6, 1998
James Russo vs Wesley Akers

No. 91,943

Place of Origin
Seminole County

Facts
Akers was found guilty of assault and sentenced to ten years imprisonment. He later filed a postconviction proceeding alleging that his trial counsel was not competent. The trial court appointed Public Defender James Russo, who appealed to the Fifth District on grounds he had no duty to represent inmates already convicted of a crime. The district court denied relief, and Russo appeals.