ADAM TEBRUGGE

It's Adam Tebrugge's job to defend the most difficult murder cases. His clients usually have evidence stacked against them and don't have enough money to afford their own lawyers.

He doesn't win many cases, but he is well respected in Sarasota, where he has worked more than 20 years for Public Defender Elliott Metcalfe.

"He's very accomplished," said Roger Maas, executive director of The Florida Legislature Commission on Capital Cases.

In Watts case, Tebrugge mouthed the words "thank you" to jurors who sentenced his client to life in prison instead of the death penalty.

In the Troy case, Tebrugge admitted on the first day of the trial that his client killed the woman. He then tried to persuade the jury to give Troy life in prison instead of the death penalty, telling jurors that Troy was sexually abused as a teen, was addicted to drugs and had been in prison for most of his adult life. The jury chose the death penalty.

A graduate of New College in Sarasota, Tebrugge worked for Metcalfe when he was an intern in law school.

He also works with the Florida Public Defenders Association to teach other lawyers how to litigate capital cases.

"Adam is brilliant," said former chief prosecutor Byrd, who nominated Tebrugge for a judgeship.

Last modified: November 06. 2005 2:31PM

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