Desiree Catlett—the woman charged with second-degree manslaughter for the 2016 death of her infant son—wants to replace her private attorney with a public defender.
Michael Thompson currently represents Catlett along with Alison Mohon. Thompson explained that Catlett can no longer afford his services and hopes a public defender will be able to obtain funds for an expert witness.
Judge Atkins continued the hearing for two weeks to allow Mohon to be in court when he makes a decision on Thompson’s motion to remove private counsel.
Catlett’s nine-month old son fell into a bathtub while being bathed at their Evergreen Park Drive home in October, 2016 and emergency responders arrived to find the infant not breathing. The defense has contended his death was a tragic accident, while the Commonwealth attributes the death to wanton neglect.
Her first trial ended with a hung jury.