Convicted Rapist Denied New Lawyer Ahead of Sentencing

Convicted rapist Hakeem Lee was denied the chance to have a new attorney representing him prior to his sentencing in May.

Lee, of Orwigsburg, was found guilty of raping a Schuylkill County woman in her home during a March 2024 incident. A jury found him guilty during a two-day trial that concluded on Jan. 16.

The jury found Lee guilty of rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, and aggravated indecent assault (forcible compulsion), all first-degree felonies; sexual assault and aggravated indecent assault without consent, second-degree felonies; as well as misdemeanors for false imprisonment, indecent assault, and loitering and prowling at night. A not guilty verdict was returned on a charge of strangulation.

Facing the likely result of life behind bars, Lee was seeking to ditch his attorney, Schuylkill County Public Defender Chris Riedlinger, ahead of his sentencing, which is scheduled for May 1.

At a hearing last week in Schuylkill County Courthouse before Judge Jim Goodman, Lee argued that Riedlinger failed him during his trial and that the trial, in general, was not fair.

Lee claimed that Riedlinger didn’t make objections during the right times of the trial and didn’t follow the strategy he wanted in making his defense.

“He had numerous times to object to things and he didn’t,” Lee told Goodman.

Lee also argued that the jury convicting him was not a jury of his peers because it was composed of all white jurors, with the exception of two “Dominicans”, he claimed.

“I did not have a fair trial. Period,” Lee said.

Further, he doesn’t feel as though Riedlinger will give him proper advice on his appeal rights. Lee’s pondering whether to file for a Post-Conviction Relief Act (PCRA) hearing or to appeal his conviction.

“He doesn’t trust my opinion at this point,” Riedlinger told Goodman during last week’s hearing.

Goodman wasn’t having much of Lee’s argument and at times, things got a bit combative in the courtroom. The judge said last week’s hearing was not the time to make this argument, specifically regarding his appeal rights and that should come post-sentencing.

The judge told Lee that Riedlinger is the attorney to properly advise him of his rights to an appeal of the conviction in January.

Arguing back, Lee asked Goodman if he’s being forced to go to his sentencing with an attorney he doesn’t feel comfortable representing him. Realizing that he seemed to be losing his argument, Lee said, “This is not your life, your freedom. This is my life, my freedom.”

Lee repeatedly referred to Goodman as “Mr. Goodman” during last week’s hearing, which further agitated the judge.

“It’s Judge Goodman,” he snapped back.

Lee did himself no favors by replying, “You’re not my judge in my eyes. God is my judge.”

During the January trial, the victim told jurors that Lee waited outside her home as she returned from work and then attacked her. She was only able to escape Lee’s captivity when he passed out during the early morning hours and got in her vehicle, drove away, and phoned police.

^{Photo: Coal Region Canary}

Subscribe to Coal Region Canary

Get email updates from Coal Region Canary by becoming a subscriber today. Just enter your email address below to get started!

Support Coal Region Canary

Like our reporting and want to support truly local news in Schuylkill County? Your small donations help. For as little as $5, your contribution will allow us to cover more news that directly affects you. Consider donating today by hitting the big yellow button below ...