Greenwood attorney Willie Perkins Sr. has asked to be removed as counsel for Greenwood Ward 5 City Council member Dorothy “Dot” Glenn in her election challenge before the Mississippi Supreme Court.
In a two-page motion dated Monday, Perkins cited “irreconcilable differences” with Glenn.
Perkins did not respond to several telephone messages asking for comment. Glenn, when contacted Saturday morning, hung up the phone.
Perkins’ motion may have already hit a snag that prevents him from withdrawing.
Under Rule 46 (c) of the Mississippi Rules of Appellate Procedure, such a request to withdraw as counsel “shall be accompanied by an appearance form of substitute counsel or a signed statement by the client indicating that the client agrees to proceed pro se” — where Glenn would represent herself — “or shall explain why neither can be obtained.”
According to Beverly Pettigrew Kraft, public information officer with the Administrative Office of Courts in Jackson, Perkins’ motion was not accompanied by such a statement from Glenn or an appearance form of other legal counsel. Based upon the lack of such required documents, Kraft said Friday, “I can’t say the court will grant it.”
If the court does grant Perkins’ withdrawal request, Kraft said, it would likely set a time limit for Glenn to obtain new counsel.
Since July, Glenn has served on the City Council pending the outcome of her appeal.
Glenn’s victory in the May 7 Democratic primary was challenged by runner-up Andrew Powell, who maintains that Glenn does not live in the ward. Glenn testified May 24 that she had lived at 116 Longino St., in Ward 5, since Jan. 14.
On June 28, Glenn’s election was vacated by a judicial tribunal headed by specially appointed judge Henry Lackey. The tribunal also included Greenwood Election Commissioners Vallrie Dorsey and Tish Goodman.
On July 3, the state Supreme Court issued a stay.
Powell is represented by Jackson attorney James D. Bell.
As of Friday, the state Supreme Court had not set a date for hearing the case.
