Just a thought...............................
As to why Gene used a public defender for the court case.
I worked for 13 yrs. with a very wealthy man. He owned the cement plant and, owned all the paving equipment for heavy highway paving.
Now, himself being fairly well off, and having a very nice house with very nice cars and toys, didn't mean that on paper he was well to do.
He payed himself $250.00 a week. His wife, at the time was the secretary, took home maybe $150.00. All this was on paper. Between the two they took home $400.00 a week. As of 5 yrs. ago, he sold all the equipment and cement plant for north of $20 million.
Public defenders also work within the same court system every day. They would be very familiar with the other lawyers and judges. Lawyers for hire may not know the others as well.
Getting a public defender is dependent on your ability to hire a lawyer, not what you may own. The state or local Gov. may only look at your personal income, not your personal property..
I very well may be totally wrong, but it seemed to work for my former boss. On the other hand...Gene may be living at the poverty level.