Darron Lee, the ex-NFL player charged with first-degree murder, hired a former Hamilton County district attorney as his defense lawyer, according to court documents.
Neal Pinkston, who served as the elected district attorney of Hamilton County for eight years before losing the 2022 Republican primary to current District Attorney Coty Wamp, was entered as the attorney of record for Lee’s case on Wednesday.
Lee, 31, is accused of intentionally killing his partner, Gabriella Perpetuo. Lee was represented by a public defender when his case was in a lower court, but after a grand jury indictment, the former linebacker appeared in Hamilton County Criminal Court for arraignment June 17 and told the court he was in the process of hiring an attorney.
(READ MORE: Former NFL player accused of murder told police girlfriend may have slipped in shower)
Perpetuo, 29, had 12 different injuries at the time of her death, including multiple hematomas, bone fractures and stab wounds, according to the autopsy findings.
Contact breaking news reporter Kailee Shores at kshores@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6659.
