Judge Says DA Can Subpoena State Board

LAKE CHARLES, La. (AP) — State District Judge David Ritchie has ruled that Calcasieu Parish District Attorney's Office can issue two subpoenas asking the state Public Defender Board to release specific information on how it spends its money.

The American Press reports (http://bit.ly/Rimpov ) the subpoenas were based on the financial struggles facing the Calcasieu Public Defenders Office.

The office is searching for funds to pay for expert witnesses in the case of Barbara Vincent, who is charged with second-degree murder in connection with the 2008 death of 5-year-old Savannah Vincent.

Jay Dixon, head of the Calcasieu PDO, told the American Press earlier this month that the budget is $1.8 million, but the PDO needs $2.4 million annually to "really operate effectively."