Louisiana

Indigent Defense Assistance Board

Minutes of the Board Meeting

November 10, 1999

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Old Federal Courthouse

Members Present: Risley C. Triche, Chair; Thomas A. Casey; Michelle Ghetti; Addison K. Goff; IV; Wayne Lee; Robert P. McLeod; and Donald T.W. Phelps.

Ex Officio Members Present: Anthony Champagne and Henry Walker.

Staff Present: Jelpi P. Picou, Jr.

Guests Present: Rebecca Hudsmith and Cheney C. Joseph.

Call to Order and Opening Remarks. The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by the Chair, who welcomed members to the meeting of the Indigent Defense Assistance Board; a roll call demonstrated that a quorum was present.

Post-Conviction Issues. Staff introduced Rebecca Hudsmith, federal public defender for the Middle and Western Districts of Louisiana and Cheney C. Joseph, Executive Counsel for Governor Foster. Ms. Hudsmith discussed in detail how a post-conviction unit could be put together and what funding assistance might be available for attorneys who make federal post-conviction claims for their clients. Mr. Joseph was interested in the solutions Ms. Hudsmith presented and acknowledged that funds were not available for the mandated LIDAB representation of capital appellants and post-conviction clients. Staff pointed out that he had seven post-conviction requests for counsel on his desk and expected six to ten cases to be added per year. Mr. Joseph excused himself following the discussion of this agenda item. He was thanked by the chair for his assistance.

Staff Update: Staff provided a year-to-date expenditure of appropriated funds per program.

Other Business. No other business was discussed.

Adjournment. There being no additional business brought to the attention of the Board, the Chair entertained a motion to adjourn, which was seconded and passed without objection.