Tug of war erupts over Sterner representation

TAMPA — Who is Brian Sterner’s lawyer?

That became the latest question Friday afternoon in the case of the quadriplegic who was dumped from his wheelchair by a deputy at a Tampa jail.

There just might be a tug-of-war over the matter.

Until now, Largo attorney John Trevena has spoken on Sterner’s behalf, holding press conferences and accompanying his new client as they made the rounds to New York television news studios.

But Hillsborough Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Debbie Carter said Friday that the office received word from Tampa attorney Michael P. Maddux that he would be handling Sterner’s case from here on out.

“I’ve just gotten on the case,” Maddux confirmed to the Times Friday night, “and I’ll be representing Mr. Sterner.”

Trevena begs to differ.

“I am still Mr. Sterner’s attorney,” he said Friday evening. “I consider myself representing him in all matters. The court will make a final determination in this issue.”

Neither attorney would publicly confirm why Sterner’s legal representation is in dispute.

Sterner, 32, of Riverview, first went to the media Feb. 11 about his experience at Orient Road Jail, a story that sparked national and international outrage.

Booking video from Jan. 29 showed veteran Deputy Charlette Marshall-Jones tipping Sterner out of his wheelchair and onto the floor, where she searched him before putting him back in his chair.

Marshall-Jones, who has since resigned, was arrested Feb. 16 on a charge of abuse of a disabled person, a felony. Despite the arrest, the State Attorney’s Office is still processing the case and has not yet brought a formal charge against Marshall-Jones.

Trevena has made it clear he also plans a civil lawsuit in the case.

Reached by phone, Sterner declined to comment.

Sterner’s father, Terry Sterner, said that to his knowledge his son is still being represented by Trevena. “I’m unaware if he’s changed attorneys,” he said. “I’m in Maryland. He’s in Florida.”

Sterner’s case was followed by a flurry of complaints by inmates who say they have video evidence showing they were physically abused in Hillsborough County’s jails.

Though Sheriff David Gee expressed outrage over Sterner’s case, the Sheriff’s Office has stood by its deputies actions in the remainder of the cases, saying they were not actions of abuse but of self-defense.

Also Friday, Sterner called sheriff’s deputies to his house, saying he wants to file charges against a 14-year-old boy who admitted to taking some papers belonging to Sterner, Carter said.

In early February, someone found papers in a storm drain that appeared to belong to Sterner, Carter said. The person returned the paperwork to Sterner at the time.

On Friday around 5:40 p.m., Sterner called deputies to tell them he’d questioned a 14-year-old neighbor about the matter and the boy admitted having taken the paperwork from Sterner’s porch, Carter said.

Carter said the papers apparently had something to do with a former business Sterner was involved in. But she said when deputies arrived he no longer had that paperwork in his possession.

Deputies will turn the matter over to the State Attorney’s Office, which will determine whether there is enough evidence to press petty theft charges against the teen.

- Rebecca Catalanello, Times staff writer