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Lawrence County Chief Public Defender Dies Of Apparent Heart Attack

Last updated on Monday, May 18, 2015

(BEDFORD) - The Chief Lawrence County Public Defender John Haury died of apparent heart attack Friday while playing tennis in Bloomington.

Former Lawrence County Deputy Prosecutor Tim Sledd says Haury lived a great life.

"He was so kind and helpful to me. He made me his partner and showed me a lot of the ropes of being a good lawyer. He remained my confidante despite our adversarial professional roles when I went to the prosecutor's office. "

Haury succeeded Lorinda Youngcourt, who left the chief public defenders position in March to accept a similar position in the Seattle area.

"He was a mentor to all of us," Youngcourt says. "When I didn't know what to do next he always reminded me that I had the strength and smarts to do it. Whatever it was."

Haury had worked for the agency as a part-time public defender while maintaining his private law practice in Bedford. He was named the new chief in late March by the three-person board that oversees the agency. He had practiced law since 1975 and had amassed more than 25 years as a public defender.

Bruce Andis, who served as interim chief when Youngcourt first departed, will lead the agency again until a new chief is hired.

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