Judge Allows Alleged Killer Naso to Seek Legal Aid

Marin County Superior Court Judge Andrew Sweet said Thursday that has the right to have advisory counsel even though he is .

Sweet said, however, it must be determined if Naso has the ability to pay for an advisory attorney.

Naso, 77, is charged with killing four Northern California women between 1977 and 1994.

He wants a public defender attorney to be his advisory counsel at public expense. Naso claims he is indigent because his assets have been impounded.

Marin County District Attorney Ed Berberian claims Naso has $1 million in liquid assets and can also access $150,000 that was seized by the Nevada Dept of Public Safety from his Reno home if he requests the money in writing.

Deputy District Attorney Dori Ahana told the judge Naso is not entitled to advisory counsel because he is not indigent given that his impounded assets are still accessible.

The judge ordered a county public defender to meet with Naso in jail to determine if Naso can afford advisory counsel.

The next hearing on the issue is scheduled for July 26.

Bay City News Service