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Commission To Select NM Chief Public Defender

An 11-member commission is preparing to select the state's chief public defender, who administers a newly independent agency providing legal representation to criminal defendants who can't afford a lawyer.

The commission meets Tuesday in Albuquerque to interview five semi-finalists and must make a selection by Oct. 15.

Voters adopted a constitutional amendment last year that made the Public Defender Department an independent agency rather than having it under the control of the governor.

The commission will oversee the department and has the power to hire and fire the chief public defender, who previously was appointed by the governor.

Among the candidates under consideration by the commission are Barry Porter, the acting deputy chief public defender, and Lelia "Lee" Hood, who manages the department's capital crimes unit.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.