Maurice Clarett fired his two Columbus defense lawyers and told them he wants to "head in a different direction."
Now, the Youngstown athlete must explain to a Franklin County judge this week why he is seeking new legal help two weeks before his trial on aggravated robbery and weapons charges. No other lawyers have come forward to say they are representing the former Ohio State running back.
Common Pleas Judge David W. Fais has set the matter for a hearing Thursday morning with attorneys William Settina and Robert Krapenc.
The privately retained attorneys filed a motion Monday saying they want to withdraw as counsel, saying Clarett, 22, is not paying their fees and not cooperating in his defense.
In a one-paragraph letter to Settina, filed with court documents, Clarett wrote off the legal team.
"I want to thank you for the work you’ve done up to this point. Unfortunately, after much reflection and consideration of this case, I have decided to terminate our attorney-client relationship in this matter, effectively immediately," Clarett wrote on July 20.
Clarett would not comment when contacted at home yesterday. Settina declined to comment until the hearing.
Columbus police say Clarett used a gun to rob two bar patrons in an alley Jan. 1 outside the Opium Lounge, 346 S. High St. Police said he took a cell phone from one of the victims and showed them a pistol in his waistband while threatening to shoot them.
His indictment of Feb. 10 accuses him of two counts of aggravated robbery, four counts of robbery and one count of carrying a concealed weapon. He has remained free on a recognizance bond.
