JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A man accused of kidnapping, killing and dismembering a young woman before burying her in the yard of his Southside home wants to depose the judge in his murder trial.
Russell Tillis and Judge Mark Borello have had animated conversations in open court throughout the drawn-out legal process.
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Tillis has been in jail since May 2015, when he was arrested on charges of aggravated assault on law enforcement officers, resisting arrest and battery of an officer. After one mistrial was declared, Tillis pleaded guilty last year to third-degree felony assault on a police officer and was sentenced to 862 days in jail, most of that being time served.
While awaiting trial on the aggravated assault charges, Tillis was also charged with murder in the death of Joni Lynn Gunter, whose remains were found buried in the yard of Tillis' Southside home.
Tillis has rejected a series of lawyers over the past year. Recently, Borello dismissed Tillis' complaints about attorney Michael Bossen, saying he was providing adequate counsel and giving Tillis the option to either represent himself or have Bossen represent him.
Tillis agreed to accept Bossen but said he would object to the appointment.
Bossen filed the motion to depose Borello, which would be highly unusual.
At a hearing on the issue Tuesday, Bossen said Tillis wants Borello questioned about comments he’d made from the bench in previous hearings dating back several years, before Bossen was on the case.
Clearly irritated, Borello told Bossen to say directly what he wants to do as lead defense lawyer. Bossen then suggested, in general terms, that a motion of recusal has been filed in cases when a defendant doesn’t think a judge can be neutral.
The State Attorney's Office has filed a motion to block the deposition. The judge said he would rule on that soon.
Tillis’ trial is set for May. The state intends to seek the death penalty if he is convicted.