Rape suspect seeks new lawyer

By RYAN DOSTALEK   Friday, Aug. 15, 2008
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Michael R. Huber

— The man accused of being Janesville’s serial rapist is getting a new attorney.

Beloit attorney Bill Hayes no longer represents Michael R. Huber, 32, of 2133 Ontario Drive, Janesville.

Hayes asked the court July 30 to remove himself as Huber’s attorney, according to court records. Judge James Daley on Thursday granted Hayes’ request.

The so-called serial rapist invaded Janesville homes and assaulted women in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004 and 2005, the latest of the known crimes.

Huber was arrested in April after he was matched to a partial fingerprint from the 1998 crime scene.

Although Huber is implicated in six home invasions, the criminal complaint against him cites only the two cases in which police and prosecutors say they have DNA evidence: a home invasion and rape in 1998 and similar crimes in 2003.

The 1998 assault led to three charges of first-degree sexual assault against one woman, who was 27 at the time.

The 2003 home invasion and rape led to one count of sexual assault of a child younger than 16 and three counts of first-degree sexual assault. The victim in the alleged crimes was 13 at the time.

The criminal complaint alleges four separate sexual contacts in the 2003 incident.

In both of those incidents, Huber threatened that he had a gun, the complaint charges.

In a written motion, Hayes indicated a “conflict of interest exists” between him and Huber, which no longer allowed Hayes to fairly represent Huber.

Hayes wrote that the conflict stemmed from what he perceived to be “antagonistic” e-mails from Huber’s father, William C. Huber.

Hayes wrote in his motion that William Huber apologized about the e-mails when Hayes confronted him, but William Huber then would send another “antagonistic” message.

The most recent e-mail accused Hayes of not vigorously representing his client, according to the motion.

When Hayes asked his client why his father would feel that way, Michael Huber said it probably was because Michael no longer had confidence in Hayes representing him.

Michael Huber repeated those sentiments in court Thursday.

“We have difficulty speaking to each other,” he told the judge.

When Daley asked if communication had broken down, Huber said that it had.

Daley referred Huber to the public defender’s office after Huber told the court he was low on cash and was unsure of how he could afford an attorney.

Huber will appear in court again at 1 p.m. Wednesday. He remains locked in the Rock County Jail on a $160,000 cash bond.







reader COMMENTS (4)
whatcomesaround
Aug 25, 2008 at 5:06 p.m.
Suggest removal

Guess what taxpayer's?
The state is paying for Huber's defense...
It seems Huber is short on cash...
That's right, your taxes, hard at work.

truecitizen
Aug 15, 2008 at 10:09 p.m.
Suggest removal

I share all that sentiment, however, if the system screws this up by not allowing him his due process...he will get off-and be freed. Yes the system is in need of repair though. The DA wants justice too, i'm sure. Remember....right now that crook is still in jail, while the details of his due processes are worked out. He's locked up.

unknown
Aug 15, 2008 at 2:11 p.m.
Suggest removal

this has gone on long enough its time to give his victums closer an he is a sex offender whho needs to be put away for a long time.All this is is a delay tatic by the defendent to keep him from Prision.So end this now an put him in prision.

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