Office of the Public Defender v. Thompson

HERRMANN, Chief Justice:

This appeal requires the review of a Superior Court Order directing that the fee of a psychologist incurred by private counsel, in his defense of the appellee in a criminal ease in which the Office of the Public Defender was not involved, be paid by the Public Defender out of funds appropriated to that Office.

I

The appellee was indicted on charges of Rape First Degree, Assault Second Degree and Conspiracy Second Degree. Through private counsel retained by his family, the appellee presented evidence at a suppression hearing concerning the need for psychological…