BORDERLAND

Murder defendant OKs new attorney for trial

1/17/2014

A Swanton Township man charged with aggravated murder in the shooting death of a Toledo man has agreed to be represented at trial by Toledo attorney Mark Geudtner.

David Zielinski, 34, of 3859 Berkey Southern Rd. had asked Lucas County Common Pleas Judge Ruth Ann Franks to permit him to represent himself after he became discontented with his original court-appointed attorney, Adrian Cimerman.

Judge Franks released Mr. Cimerman from the case after a lengthy hearing Tuesday at which time Mr. Cimerman said he no longer felt he could effectively represent Mr. Zielinski. Today, the judge set a new trial date of March 3 for Mr. Zielisnki and told him it didn’t matter whether he liked his new attorney or not.

“He isn’t here to tell you what you want to hear,” she said. “He’s here to talk to you very frankly about the law and the facts.”

Mr. Zielinski is charged with aggravated murder, aggravated burglary, kidnapping, and attempted murder stemming from the July 14 death of Michael Jackson, 20, of Toledo. Prosecutors allege he broke into the West Central Avenue home of his estranged wife, Amber Hayes; shot Mr. Jackson to death after finding him in bed with Ms. Hayes, and then attempted to force Ms. Hayes to flee with him.