People v. Fuller

This is an ex parte application by the defendant, who is charged with murder in its first degree, for the assignment by the court, for his defense, of counsel selected by him.

It has been the custom of our courts from time immemorial, when a defendant was without counsel, and without means, to assign some member of the bar to that important and honorable, though onerous, duty. Until the enactment of the law hereinafter referred to, there was no power in the court to order payment for the services, however meritorious and valuable, rendered on such assignment. People ex rel. Brown v. Board of…