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Show County selects new public defender by Christopher Smart The Summit County Commission in a split vote Tuesday accepted the lowest bid offered for its public defender post, rejecting the bid of Kenneth R. Brown, who has held the position since 1979. Appointed as the county's public defender beginning Jan. 1, 1985 is Thomas A. Quinlan of the Salt Lake City law firm of Quinlan and England. Quinlan submitted a bid of $14,400 for the position, the lowest bid of 13 applicants. Brown submitted a bid of $19,500. During the calendar year 1984 Brown was paid $25,000 for the position. The commission advertised the post after the county attorney's office and sheriff's department claimed Brown had wasted taxpayers' tax-payers' money in the defense of murder suspects Wesley Allen Tuttle and Edward Charles Newbury. BrRwn argued the men were entitled to a "vigorous defense" under the law. He previously stated the c6mmission should go outside the county attorney's office for recommendations concerning his conduct. The county commission, however, appointed Deputy County Attorney Franklin Anderson and General Services Director Stan Strebel to make recommendations for the public defender post. On Dec. 4, the commission asked Anderson and Strebel to select three of the 13 applicants from which it would choose the public defender. However, on Dec. 11, Anderson and Strebel submitted only Quinlan's name. County commissioner Ron Perry voted against the selection on the grounds the commission should review the applications of three finalists. Commissioners Cliff Blonquist and Gerald Young, howcvr. voted in ..ivnr ot the Anderson Strebel recommendation. According to Strebel, Quinlan has 12 years of legal experience including work for the Weber County Attorney's office. Quinlan has experience in both prosecution and defense in criminal cases, Strebel said. Quinlan also taught evening classes in criminal procedure at Weber State University in Ogden. On leaving his post, Brown said he had no regrets, adding, "The forum up there (Coalville courthouse) has provided me with some of my fondest memories. I will continue to represent the common person against the state and large corporations." he added. |