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Court appoints counsel for karaoke operator charged with sex trafficking
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Posted on Jun 19 2012
By Ferdie de la Torre
Reporter
Reporter
The federal court has appointed a private counsel for Chang Ru Meng Backman, a karaoke operator facing sex trafficking charges.
U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona appointed Robert O’Connor as counsel for Backman after her two hired lawyers withdrew from the case.
O’Connor appeared with Backman during her arraignment on Friday.
The judge reiterated to Backman that while in jail, the defendant does not have access to sufficient funds to hire counsel.
Manglona, however, ordered that as funds become available to Backman, the money shall be paid to O’Connor.
The arraignment and detention hearing will be today, Tuesday, at 3pm.
Attorneys William M. Fitzgerald and Bruce Berline on Thursday requested the court to allow them to withdraw from representation of Backman.
Fitzgerald in his declaration stated that he had previously discussed the terms under which he and Berline would represent the defendant and she indicated that she was willing and able to comply.
Fitzgerald said subsequent to the hearing when they again discussed the terms under which he would represent Backman, she informed them that she was unable to comply with the terms that they had previously agreed on.
Last Tuesday, the scheduled arraignment for Backman did not push through as she appeared without a lawyer.
Judge Manglona then continued the arraignment to Thursday, June 14.
During her first court appearance two weeks ago, Backman told the court it was her decision to hire her own attorney and that attorney Randall Cunliffe was going to find counsel for her.
The indictment charged the 39-year-old Backman with three counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion; and three counts of alien smuggling-harboring.
According to the indictment, Backman operated the Holiday Night Club, a karaoke bar located on the second floor of a building in Chalan Kanoa. The club also allegedly provided sexual services for an added fee.
