Women With Guns 
Want Safety First 
Tired Of Feeling Like 
Victims, They're Taking 
Action And Getting Weapons 
Licenses As Never Before

Accident Brings Injury

By CHARLES H. BOGINO; Times Leader Staff Writer
 Saturday, February 12, 1994 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 3A QUICK WORDS: MONEY ISSUE HAS COTTAM
DEFENDERS ASKING OUT 





WILKES-BARRE -- Larry and Leona Cottam, found guilty in 1991 of
third-degree murder in the starving of their son, have been getting free legal
representation since their arrests in January 1989. Now, however, their public
defenders want out, saying the Cottams appear to be able to pay for a lawyer. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In a withdrawal request Luzerne County public defenders Basil G. Russin and
Al Flora Jr. filed in county court this week, the two said the Cottams have
insisted on paying the thousands of dollars it could cost them to ask the U.S.
Supreme Court to hear their case. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Cottams have been appealing their convictions since the September 1991
verdict. County Judge Gifford S. Cappellini sentenced each to serve five years
to 12 years behind bars, but he has allowed the couple to remain free on
$50,000 apiece pending the results of all their appeals. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 With all of their other appeals unsuccessful, the court of last resort for
the Cottams is the nation's highest court. In December, Flora said he would
ask the Supreme Court to hear the case. The Cottams have until March 1 to file
the request. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 But because the Cottams refuse to file an accompanying document declaring
them too poor to pay for a lawyer on their own, and because they have insisted
on paying the administrative fees for the filing, their lawyers say they have
no choice but to ask to bow out. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 A hearing on the withdrawal request has been scheduled for Monday morning
before Cappellini. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Usually, people who can't afford to pay for a lawyer aren't required to pay
the administrative costs of filing with the Supreme Court and are given a
break when it comes to the number of copies they are required to submit, Flora
said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 To file a request for the court to hear their appeal, the Cottams would
have to pay $300. Printing and copying all the documents supporting their case
would run another $3,800 if they choose not to declare themselves unable to
pay. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Cottams told Flora and Russin they want to pay the $4,100 it would cost
to prepare and file the request. They haven't given their lawyers a reason,
nor have they updated their financial situation with the public defender's
office, which they were asked to do in December. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Cottams had $3,374 stashed away in their Nuangola home when their son
starved five years ago. The money couldn't be used for food; it was meant for
their church, the parents said at their trial. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Larry Cottam, a 44-year-old former Seventh-day Adventist pastor, has been
working in a bakery since his conviction. It isn't clear if Leona Cottam, 41,
has any income of her own. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Cottams couldn't be reached at the Nanticoke home where they have been
living, and their telephone number is unlisted. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Flora said if he and Russin are allowed to withdraw, the Cottams could
defend themselves or hire another lawyer -- in which case they'd probably need
to ask the Supreme Court to extend their deadline for filing the request to
appeal. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "But I don't know if they'd grant it or not," Flora said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 That is just what District Attorney Peter Paul Olszewski Jr. fears. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Olszewski said he expected if an attorney change is made, the Cottams would
again be able to put off their prison date. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "From my perspective, it's simply nothing more than another delay," he
said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Leona Cottam &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Larry Cottam

Money Issue Has Cottam Defenders Asking Out 
Without Giving Reason, 
The Parents Insist On Paying 
For Their Supreme Court 
Appeal, Leaving Their Public 
Defenders No Choice But To Request Withdrawal

Money Issue Has Cottam Defenders Asking Out Without Giving Reason, The Parents Insist On Paying For Their Supreme Court Appeal, Leaving Their Public Defenders No Choice But To Request Withdrawal