We elect the public defender? Who knew?

Most people have only a vague idea of public defenders and what they do. Are they government-paid lawyers who represent accused criminals who don't have any money? If you said yes, you're right. But here's something far fewer people know: The public defender is elected, the same as the sheriff, the state attorney and many others. This year, for the first time since the post was created, there will be an election. The man who has held the office uncontested for the past 36 years, Jack Behr, is retiring. Three former assistants want the job: James Owens of Milton and Kelly Merritt Richards of Pensacola, both Republicans, and Tony Henderson of Milton, a Democrat. What's this got to do with you? Even a law-and-order fanatic believes that we should, as the old saying goes, "Give the defendant a fair trial and then hang him." A... [read full story]