Ex-prosecutor to defend self in drug case

Former Deputy District Attorney Steve Hill, booted out of Drug Court in May after testing positive for cocaine, is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 2 on his guilty plea to a felony drug possession charge.

In court Wednesday, Hill announced that he intended to represent himself rather than let veteran defense attorney Steven Stein continue with the case.

District Judge Michael Douglas permitted it but said he was doing so "with great trepidation" because of Hill's history of drug use.

"I believe this course of action is in my best interest," said Hill, as he fidgeted with his glasses. He cited his history of more than 50 jury trials and numerous other court appearances.

Douglas said the issue isn't whether Hill was competent to represent other people, but whether he can overcome the "emotional involvement" in his own case.

While the only matter scheduled at this point is his sentencing, Hill is expected to file a motion to withdraw his guilty plea, which was required for his admission to Drug Court.

Had he completed the year-long Drug Court program, the charge against Hill resulting from being caught in October 1996 with cocaine in his car would have been dismissed. That also would have meant the State Bar Association would not have suspended his license to practice law.

But on May 27 -- a year and a half after entering the program -- District Judge Jack Lehman kicked Hill out.

Lehman had concluded that Hill had turned in a phony urine sample for the regular drug testing that is a requirement of the Drug Court program. The sample was drug free, but when the laboratory required Hill to give a monitored sample it revealed drugs in his system.

Hill was apprehended early one morning in October 1996 in his white Corvette while driving with a known prostitute. Metro Police discovered a small quantity of rock cocaine in an ashtray.

Hill eventually pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance not for the purpose of sale. Although it is a felony and carries a maximum four- year sentence, state law requires that the sentence be probation.

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