Reporters discuss public defender series on Smart Talk

Keystone Crossroads series: No Justice for All -- Pennsylvania's Unequal Access to Adequate Public Defense

• Scott LaMar
  BioRecent Stories

  

  Scott LaMar has worked in both radio and television for more than four decades.
  
  Currently, LaMar is the Host and Executive Producer of The Spark program on WITF-FM, 89.5 & 93.3 in Harrisburg, Pa.
  
  Previously, LaMar was WITF TV’s Sr. Public Affairs producer and produced the station’s award-winning weekly public affairs TV program, Smart Talk.
  
  In addition to his on-air duties, LaMar has moderated political candidate debates, including those for candidates running for Pennsylvania governor and the U.S. Senate and was a regular contributor to BBC World News TV before and after the 2020 U.S. Presidential election.
  
  LaMar often emcees or moderates local events and has gone as far as California to emcee a national event.
  
  The American Society of Civil Engineers honored LaMar with their national Excellence in Journalism award in 2020. He has been nominated for five Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards.
  
  LaMar and The Spark have been recognized throughout the Central Pennsylvania community including ADVOZ Lancaster’s “Dignity in Dialogue Award”, the South-Central Assembly’s “Regional Citizen Award” and was named a “Humanitarian Hero” by The Humane Society of the United States/Pennsylvania.
  
  A native of Coatesville, Pa., LaMar has also worked as a broadcast news anchor, sports play-by-play announcer and manager.

 Lindsay Lazarski/WHYY

In the basement of the Fayette County Courthouse is the public defender’s office. There is one, full-time public defender, Jeffery Whiteko.

Anyone accused of committing a crime and facing criminal charges in the U.S. has a Constitutional right to be represented by an attorney, and as the famous Miranda warning says, an attorney will be appointed if the defendant can’t afford one.

Indigent defendants are often represented in court by public defenders.

An investigative series by Keystone Crossroads finds that Pennsylvania is the only state in the country that doesn’t provide funding for public defenders. It’s up to counties to pay. The series also found that many public defenders are stretched thin because they handle too many cases, and as a result may not provide adequate representation for their clients. At least one lawmaker is concerned that Pennsylvania isn’t meeting its Constitutional responsibilities.

Reporter Emily Previti, who led the series, and reporter Katie Meyer, who contributed to it, appeared on Thursday’s Smart Talk to describe what they found.  

A collection of interviews, photos, and music videos, featuring local musicians who have stopped by the WITF performance studio to share a little discussion and sound. Produced by WITF’s Joe Ulrich.

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