Sled murder trial to begin in March

A judge ordered one suspect's defense attorney to step down. A Philadelphia judge ordered Eugene Harrison's defense attorney in the Vladimir Sled homicide case to step down yesterday, since his office is representing Harrison's two co-defendants in other cases. Municipal Court Judge Thomas McCormack agreed with the prosecution's motion that Fred Goodman, a city public defender, be removed from the case, Assistant District Attorney Dick Carroll said. He said a computer check of the court docket showed that other public defenders represent Harrison's co-defendants Bridget Black and Yvette Stewart in pending cases, creating a "conflict and an ethical dilemma" for Goodman. Harrison, Black and Stewart are all charged with murder in Sled's October 31 stabbing death on the 4300 block of Larchwood Avenue. Carroll predicted both sides would be ready to proceed with a trial in the beginning or middle of March. "It's not a terribly difficult case to present," he said. "The defendants have all given statements in the case." When both sides agree they are ready to go to trial, the case will either be assigned to a judge or put in a pool of cases that can be tried on a week's notice, he explained. McCormack allowed Goodman to remain on the case until Common Pleas Court Judge Carolyn Temin rules on the attorney's appeal of the decision, Carroll said. Temin could rule on the appeal after an informal meeting with Goodman tomorrow, Harrison said. But he said the judge may opt for a formal hearing early next week because of her busy schedule. She is responsible for scheduling all homicide and major crimes trials in Philadelphia. Prosecution and defense attorneys will meet with McCormack again on Wednesday in room 306 of the Criminal Justice Center at 13th and Filbert streets to settle who will represent the defendants in the case. At a January 7 preliminary hearing, Carroll will present evidence in an attempt to show it is reasonable to believe that Harrison, Black and Stewart could have killed Sled. If the judge agrees, Carroll said, he will order the defendants to trial and issue them formal indictments.

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