Hotel assault suspect renews new-lawyer request

NORWALK — A Huron County jail inmate has, again, asked a judge to remove his court-appointed attorney, arguing he is not receiving help on his case and cannot adequately prepare a defense without access to legal materials. Eric L. Carroll, who is awaiting trial in Huron County Common Pleas Court, filed a handwritten motion asking the court to dismiss his current attorney and appoint new counsel. "I am filing a motion because I was given a lawyer that will not help me at all," Carroll wrote in the motion. The filing marks at least the second time Carroll has attempted to change attorneys. In a prior ruling on April 7, Huron County Common Pleas Judge James Conway denied a similar request and ordered the case to proceed with existing counsel, while resetting the trial schedule. In his latest motion, Carroll broadened his concerns to include conditions at the Huron County Jail, stating he does not have access to legal resources needed to work on his case. "This county jail does not have law books here," Carroll wrote. "I am asking to get moved to Sandusky County Jail so I can get a chance to do legal work." Carroll characterized the issue as one involving his rights, writing that he is "allowed of my rights" to pursue legal work on his own behalf. The motion was submitted directly by Carroll from the jail and does not include a response from his attorney. Court records do not yet indicate when Conway will rule on the latest request. Carroll's underlying case stems from a reported attack at a Norwalk hotel that led to a series of felony charges. A Huron County grand jury indicted Carroll on multiple counts tied to allegations that he assaulted a woman during the incident. The charges expanded following the indictment, with prosecutors adding additional counts after the original grand jury indictment. As of Wednesday, the case remains pending, with no new hearing date announced on Carroll's motion.