Judge allows suspect in Gilberts slaying to retain new attorney

A 30-year Gilberts man accused of killing his girlfriend will be allowed to retain another attorney from a state list of lawyers certified in death penalty cases, a Kane County judge ruled Friday.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against Frank Hill, accused of killing his girlfriend, Karyn Pearson, 27, and setting fire to her Gilberts townhouse on Jan. 9.

After his arrest, Hill hired attorney Andre Grant. But Grant is not certified to defend capital punishment cases.

Frank Hill also has retained Stanley Hill, who is certified, but state law requires two death penalty certified lawyers. Frank Hill has asked the court to pay $9,200 for one of his attorney's fees while seeking the second lawyer, which will be funded by state taxes.

"He's either indigent or he's not," said Assistant Kane County State's Attorney Greg Sams. "If he's indigent, he should have a public defender. It's a lot of state money going out for something we have adequate service here for."

Hill is being held in the Kane County jail on $500,000 bond. His next court date is Oct. 11.