Attorney for accused killer Nickey Stane says she lacks what she needs to defend him
The defense attorney for accused killer and sexual predator Nickey Duane Stane said in court Thursday that she is hindered in trying to defend her client.
Attorney Jane Boulger asked Judge Jon Kapetan for more time to go over thousands of documents and find a top-notch investigator. The judge pushed Stane’s pre-preliminary hearing to Aug. 20.
His trial is not expected to start until next year.
The 52-year-old Visalia man is accused of raping and killing Fresno State student Debbie Dorian in 1996. It was a crime that shocked the community and went unsolved for years until police used DNA evidence to link Stane to the student’s murder.
Investigators used the same forensic technology to connect Stane to a string of sexual assaults against several women in Visalia from 1999 to 2002.
Stane is charged with 12 felony counts, including murder, rape and sexual battery by restraint. Senior Deputy District Attorney Debra Miller said the death penalty is a possibility against Stane.
One of the reasons Boulger wanted more time to prepare her case is the sheer volume of documents involved.
Stane’s case file is more than 60,000 pages and Boulger recently received five thumb drives with more reports and interviews.
“It’s massive,” she said.
Boulger, who was appointed by the court to represent Stane, said she also needs the help of an investigator. But when she submitted a request to the court for an investigator at $55 an hour, she was told the court would only pay $35 an hour.
“I can’t find an investigator at $35 an hour for this kind of case, “ she said. “This spans decades and is in multiple counties. It would take a very experienced investigator to do this. I feel like my hands are being tied behind my back.”
When asked for a comment about the fee schedule, court officials directed The Bee to the court website where the fee schedule for court-authorized services can be found. Effective Aug., 1 2018, investigators will be paid $35 an hour.
“They are going to try and kill my client and can’t get someone to investigate his case,” Boulger said.
