Richard Turner, the homeless man charged with aggravated attempted murder for allegedly attempting to drown a deputy during a pursuit last weekend, has a lawyer, and taxpayers will be footing the bill for the defense.
During a court hearing in Portsmouth Municipal Court, Judge Stephen Mowery found the defendant indigent and appointed attorney Shawn Stratton as defense counsel. The court also waived the $25 application fee to request a public defender.
Stratton will also represent Turner on a previous domestic violence charge.
Turner is due back in court on August 30 for a preliminary hearing on the aggravated murder charge.