Judge approves 2nd lawyer for Donald Smith defense No new trial date set for man accused of killing 8-year-old Cherish Perrywinkle
Donald Smith appears at March 24 pretrial hearing
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The man accused of kidnapping, raping and murdering 8-year-old Cherish Perrywinkle was back in court Tuesday, where Judge Mallory Cooper granted a defense motion to appoint a second lawyer to the case.
Last month, Julie Schlax, a former prosecutor, was appointed to represent Donald Smith. A second attorney will now be appointed to assist with the penalty phase, since the prosecution intends to seek the death penalty.
There is still no trial date for Smith, but another pretrial hearing is set for May 12.
Copyright 2015 by News4Jax.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Mayor Deegan approves 3 a.m. alcohol sales downtown; some News4JAX viewers question safety ▶ 0:45
Mayor Deegan approves 3 a.m. alcohol sales downtown; some News4JAX viewers question safety
How Florida’s fishing license change could impact tourists ▶ 0:38
How Florida’s fishing license change could impact tourists
Big changes runners need to know for Gate River Run Expo ▶ 1:00
Big changes runners need to know for Gate River Run Expo
Man charged after 1 killed, 2 wounded by gunfire at construction site in St. Johns County ▶ 1:12
Man charged after 1 killed, 2 wounded by gunfire at construction site in St. Johns County
One person dead, 2 more sent to hospital after argument turns into fight in St. Johns County ▶ 1:03
One person dead, 2 more sent to hospital after argument turns into fight in St. Johns County
Bus company confirms driver removed from service after unauthorized person boards school bus ▶ 1:35
Bus company confirms driver removed from service after unauthorized person boards school bus
Oceanway residents disappointed in committee’s decision to approve storage unit development ▶ 0:22
Oceanway residents disappointed in committee’s decision to approve storage unit development
UNF poll finds that Florida voters are split on Trump's immigration policy ▶ 0:52
UNF poll finds that Florida voters are split on Trump's immigration policy
Happy clouds on a Happy Humpday. When will we get some rain? ▶ 0:51
Happy clouds on a Happy Humpday. When will we get some rain?
Photos show Jacksonville-based Navy ships, helicopters playing key roles in ‘Operation Epic Fury ▶ 1:08
Photos show Jacksonville-based Navy ships, helicopters playing key roles in ‘Operation Epic Fury
How the Middle East conflict will affect travel ▶ 1:12
How the Middle East conflict will affect travel
St. Johns County deputies pull man away from fiery crash on I-95 ▶ 0:32
St. Johns County deputies pull man away from fiery crash on I-95
Jacksonville HIV advocate warns of crisis as thousands lose medication access ▶ 1:21
Jacksonville HIV advocate warns of crisis as thousands lose medication access
Passion 4 Pets: Taco is looking for his furever home 🌮 ▶ 0:51
Passion 4 Pets: Taco is looking for his furever home 🌮
Race director's Top 5 things to know for a successful Gate River Run -- with a bonus from Melanie ▶ 1:19
Race director's Top 5 things to know for a successful Gate River Run -- with a bonus from Melanie
LIFT JAX, Swisher announce $135M expansion to create jobs for Eastside residents ▶ 0:36
LIFT JAX, Swisher announce $135M expansion to create jobs for Eastside residents
Gas prices spike overnight. Will they continue to rise? ▶ 1:02
Gas prices spike overnight. Will they continue to rise?
Manatees at Jacksonville Zoo & Botanical Gardens enjoy new river habitat ▶ 1:10
Manatees at Jacksonville Zoo & Botanical Gardens enjoy new river habitat
4 cars set on fire at Mandarin apartment complex ▶ 0:22
4 cars set on fire at Mandarin apartment complex
Here Tomorrow is redefining suicide prevention — offering immediate, no-cost support with no wait. ▶ 0:41
Here Tomorrow is redefining suicide prevention — offering immediate, no-cost support with no wait.
Student describes scary moments when unauthorized person boarded school bus & touched her ▶ 1:23
Student describes scary moments when unauthorized person boarded school bus & touched her
Carrico nominates firefighter union leader Randy Wyse for JEA board amid ongoing controversy ▶ 1:10
Carrico nominates firefighter union leader Randy Wyse for JEA board amid ongoing controversy
Impact Christian Back in State Semifinals ▶ 0:38
Impact Christian Back in State Semifinals
Sporting JAX announces St. Johns Town location for stadium, new sports, entertainment district ▶ 1:07
Sporting JAX announces St. Johns Town location for stadium, new sports, entertainment district
JEA leadership saga update ▶ 0:42
JEA leadership saga update
Previous photo Next photo 