Arizona to Pay Mecham Legal Costs for Trial : But Some Senators Are Annoyed as Ex-Governor Talks on TV of Appeal

The Arizona Senate, convening for a final session as an impeachment court, decided Wednesday that the state would pay deposed Gov. Evan Mecham’s legal fees for the trial that removed him from office.

“The time has come to take the first step, extend the hand for a handshake and say this is over,” Mecham’s attorney, Jerris Leonard, said in requesting payment of $202,433.75. “Let’s start the healing process.”

Leonard told the Senate that he, attorney Fred Craft and their assistants were assured of being paid in any case.

The Senate approved the payment on a vote of 16 to 13.

Several senators urged the payment as a sign of compassion, although some other senators were annoyed that Mecham had been on national television a few hours earlier proclaiming his innocence.

Might Appeal

In an interview on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” Mecham said he might appeal his conviction to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Leonard said after the Senate session that he would have to study the legal issues before he could decide on attempting an appeal.

Arizona Supreme Court Chief Justice Frank X. Gordon told a news conference later in the day that the Senate was Mecham’s “court of last resort” and he can’t appeal.

Rose Mofford, the former secretary of state, was sworn in as Mecham’s successor Tuesday. On Wednesday, a Maricopa County Superior Court judge rejected a bid to have her name barred from the ballot in the recall election.

Mecham indicated also in his TV interview that he plans to run in the May 17 election if the courts rule that his name can be on the ballot. Arizona’s acting secretary of state has ordered Mecham’s name removed pending a resolution of legal issues.

“I’ve never had more support,” Mecham said, adding that he believes he could win the recall election. “I’ll definitely run in it unless they get it so tied up in legal technicalities.”

One senator, Democrat Jesus Higuera, cited Mecham’s television interview as grounds for not paying his legal fees.

If Mecham were elected again, he would probably be impeached again, and the Senate would be stuck with a precedent for paying his fees, Higuera said.

‘Buy Compassion’

Republican John Mawhinney, who voted against paying the fees, said the impeachment was Mecham’s fault and “we are not allowed to buy compassion.”

Mecham, 63, was convicted Monday on charges that he tried to thwart a death-threat investigation and misused $80,000 from a protocol fund by lending it to his auto dealership.

He was the seventh U.S. governor to be convicted in an impeachment trial and the first to be removed from office in 59 years. The trial began. Feb. 29.

The presiding officer, Gordon, said Mecham’s former attorney, Murray Miller, had called to ask that the Senate consider paying his bill for Mecham’s defense also.

Leonard said Miller had been paid in full, a total of $110,000.

“Frankly, I’ve had enough of Murray Miller and his antics,” Leonard said. “He doesn’t belong in this body. He doesn’t represent the governor.”

Leonard replaced Miller as Mecham’s chief attorney just before the impeachment trial.

Miller was not available for comment Wednesday.

After senators adopted a resolution of thanks and gave a standing ovation to Gordon, the presiding officer asked if there were further motions.

“Mr. Presiding Officer, we urge no more motions,” prosecutor William French said. “We say amen.”