No taxpayer funds for judge's defense
KENT, Wash. -- A former Pierce County judge who says he is broke will not get taxpayer money to help him pay legal fees.
Michael Hecht was found guilty of harassment and patronizing a prostitute last November. He's appealing the conviction and asked the judge Friday to declare him indigent.
Hecht says he cannot afford to pay for the appeals process, meaning tax payers would have to pay for his defense.
But the presiding judge wasted no time in denying Hecht's request. The first words out of his mouth were: "It seems obvious why I would deny this request."
Prosecutors point to Hecht's home and former salary as evidence he can afford his own defense.
Hecht says that's not the case and has his own theory on Friday's ruling.
"We're asking the judge to provide funds so we can prove he erred throughout the whole trial on numerous issues that I didn't get a fair trial because of his ruling," Hecht said. "So it's not surprising that he's denying and saying that I have the ability to pay."
But prosecutor and Assistant Attorney General John Hillman says he thinks that's absurd.
"If the defendant wants to pursue his appeal, he can pursue his appeal," Hillman said. "These rulings are a matter of public record and if he has issues with Judge Casey's ruling, that's what his appeal is for."
After the hearing, Hecht got very emotional and told KOMO News: "I'm not a judge anymore. I'm a felon and I can't get a job to pay for my own defense."
Last November, Hecht was sentenced to 240 hours of community service and "John School."
Michael Hecht was found guilty of harassment and patronizing a prostitute last November. He's appealing the conviction and asked the judge Friday to declare him indigent.
Hecht says he cannot afford to pay for the appeals process, meaning tax payers would have to pay for his defense.
But the presiding judge wasted no time in denying Hecht's request. The first words out of his mouth were: "It seems obvious why I would deny this request."
Prosecutors point to Hecht's home and former salary as evidence he can afford his own defense.
Hecht says that's not the case and has his own theory on Friday's ruling.
"We're asking the judge to provide funds so we can prove he erred throughout the whole trial on numerous issues that I didn't get a fair trial because of his ruling," Hecht said. "So it's not surprising that he's denying and saying that I have the ability to pay."
But prosecutor and Assistant Attorney General John Hillman says he thinks that's absurd.
"If the defendant wants to pursue his appeal, he can pursue his appeal," Hillman said. "These rulings are a matter of public record and if he has issues with Judge Casey's ruling, that's what his appeal is for."
After the hearing, Hecht got very emotional and told KOMO News: "I'm not a judge anymore. I'm a felon and I can't get a job to pay for my own defense."
Last November, Hecht was sentenced to 240 hours of community service and "John School."