2/12/14 - Two women charged with illegally selling synthetic marijuana in April of 2012 have new legal representation in the wake of a ruling from the stateâs highest court. Defense attorney Timothy Corr sought to overturn a November 2012 decision from 53rd District Court Judge Suzanne Geddis, who ruled it would be a conflict of interest for him to simultaneously represent two clients - the owner of Smokers Depot, 42-year-old Ronda Lee Roszak, as well as the storeâs manager, 28-year-old Melissa Ann Dzierwa. Corr argued the decision violated his clients Sixth Amendment rights to select representation of their choice, but it was upheld by the Michigan Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court declined to hear Corrâs appeal last December. Corr maintained the seized substances Roszak and Dzierwa sold at the Genoa Township store as part of their job were purchased at a trade show, along with a lab report stating they did not contain illegal chemicals. Livingston County Prosecutor Bill Vailliencourt previously said the decision from the Supreme Court required each defendant to obtain an independent lawyer. Once that occurred, he said they would finally be able to conduct the independent investigation necessary to verify certain information regarding the case. Court records show that both women obtained new counsel in January; Roszak is now being represented by Southfield attorney Steven Vitale while Dzierwa is being represented by Loren Dickstein, also based out of Southfield. No new dates were reflected in court records. (JM)
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