Ex Parte Walker

This petition for a writ of mandamus, filed by a defendant in a capital case, presents a question of the defendant's right to require the trial judge to allow her to have counsel of her choice, an attorney admitted to practice in a state other than Alabama, but who seeks to represent the defendant, pro hacvice, at no expense to the State.

Under the facts of this case, we agree with the petitioner, Altion Maxine Walker, who has asked this Court to issue a writ of mandamus directing Judge Jerry Fielding, of the Talladega Circuit Court, to admit attorney Clive A. Stafford Smith,pro hac vice, to…