Convicted killer Price Montgomery wanted to get rid of his court-appointed lawyers, saying they've been conspiring against him with the government and won't do what he says.
The lawyers, Jay McCamic and Douglas Sughrue, wanted to end their relationship with him, too, saying he's refused to communicate with them and is apparently getting advice instead from a jailhouse lawyer in filing all manner of bizarre court motions without their input.
But this week U.S. District Judge Mark Hornak convinced them all to stay the course through Montgomery's sentencing for murdering Tina Crawford in 2014.
Montgomery was convicted at trial last year of gunning her down at her mother's Hill District home an hour before she was to meet with the U.S. attorney's office about his drug ring.
While awaiting sentencing, which is likely to be life in prison, Montgomery has been filing motions from jail that Judge Hornak said he's having trouble understanding.
In court on Tuesday, Montgomery said he's been filing motions on his own because he doesn't want his lawyers to represent him anymore. It's unusual for a defendant to dump lawyers between conviction and sentencing, especially in such a long-running and complex federal case, but that's what he said he wanted.
"My lawyers' actions contributed to my demise," he said, flanked by the lawyers and two U.S. marshals. "It's my life that's on the line. I don't feel that these lawyers did their best in my case."
He said he wanted a new lawyer.
Mr. McCamic and Mr. Sughrue said they had also reached an impasse with Montgomery. They said they haven't been able to get him to talk to them or participate in a pre-sentence interview as required by the U.S. probation office, which the judge needs to craft a sentence.
Judge Hornak pointed out to Montgomery that the two attorneys are among the most experienced in the U.S. in handling serious federal cases and anyone else he appoints in their place is likely not to have the same level of combined expertise.
He also told Montgomery that he suspects someone else is giving him legal advice and writing his opinions for him and cautioned that relying on outside legal advice is probably not a good idea.
Among his motions is one referencing the "Trading with the Enemy Act" and another that tries to connect Judge Hornak's designation as chief judge in Pittsburgh to the trial.
Montgomery came around, however, after being assured that his pre-sentence interview will not be recorded and will be done in person as opposed to conducted by video conference call. He was apparently worried that someone would use it against him in some way.
After the judge said he'll order that the probation office do the interview in person, Montgomery said he would start cooperating with his lawyers again.
"I can commit to that," he said.
U.S. marshals took him back to the lockup in Ohio where dangerous federal prisoners are held.
Montgomery had originally been scheduled for sentencing Wednesday but it's been delayed by his various motions. Glenn Thomas of Manchester, the man prosecutors believe was the second gunman in the killing of Ms. Crawford, is also awaiting sentencing.
Torsten Ove: tove@post-gazette.com.
First Published: March 26, 2019, 8:13 p.m.
