Man accused of killing cop wants a public defender
Nick Delich
David Nickolas Delich, who is accused of killing a Tucson police officer, is now being represented by the Pima County Public Defender’s Office.
In a motion filed Friday in Pima County Consolidated Justice Court, private attorney Brick P. Storts III stepped down as the lawyer for Delich, who goes by “Nick.”
“Basically, as I said in the motion, the defendant felt he would be more comfortable with the public defender,” Storts said Monday.
Storts has represented Nick Delich in several misdemeanor cases, and his father, David Delich, in some civil matters.
Assistant Public Defender John O’Brien has been assigned to the case.
Nick Delich, 25, is in the Pima County Jail on a $3.5 million bond, charged with first-degree murder, aggravated assault and shooting at houses.
He is accused of fatally shooting Officer Erik Hite, 43, and wounding two deputies June 1 in a cross-city chase.
Hite died a day after the shooting. He is survived by his wife, Nohemy; infant daughter, Samantha; adult son, Roy David Hite of San Antonio; and his parents, Patsy and Roy Hite of Oregon.
A viewing was held from 8 to 10 p.m. Monday at Adair Funeral Home, 1050 N. Dodge Blvd.
Funeral services are set for 10 a.m. Tuesday at Pantano Christian Church, 10355 E. 29th St. A procession will take Hite’s body to East Lawn Cemetery, 5801 E. Grant Road, for burial.