Ex-Public Defenders Hired To Defend Man Accused Of Shooting Richard Collier

Published On: Oct 14 2011 11:59:26 AM EDT  Updated On: Jan 12 2009 09:36:17 AM EST
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -

The man accused of shooting Jaguars tackle Richard Collier on Labor Day has hired two attorneys let go by the public defender's office for his defense team.

Tyron Hartsfield is accused of shooting Richard Collier 14 times in retaliation for a bar fight between the two months earlier.

Collier survived the shooting but was left without one leg and paralyzed from the waist down.

Hartsfield, a convicted drug dealer, was defended by prominent lawyers Ann Fennell and Pat McGuinness, who were among 10 criminal attorneys let go by newly elected Public Defender Matt Shirk.

At a hearing on Monday, McGinnis and Fennell said they were hired by Hartsfield to continue handling his defense.

"We've been retained by the (Hartsfield) family for the representation on a private basis," McGuinness said. "I think they were pleased with the assistance they had from us in the public defender's office and want it to continue."

Turned out by the public defender's office, Fennell and McGuinness formed a legal firm and this is their first case.

"Pat McGuiness and I have tried so many first-degree murder cases given our 30 years of experience in the public defender's office," Fennell said. "I don't think any other team in town has the amount of experience we do."

Hartsfield, 32, continues to be held without bond on a charge of attempted murder.

His defense team said that defending a man accused of ending Collier's football career and nearly taking a life is a challenge.

"(Collier) is obviously a sympathetic figure, but that has very little to do with who is actually responsible for shooting the man," McGuinness said. "That's where our efforts are focused and we don't think they have the right person."

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