Accused dad to get new legal counsel

With nowhere else to turn, Lawrence Dugan Jr., 25, is back at his dad's apartment in Upper Darby, where he was nearly slain by his father less than two weeks ago.

Meanwhile, Lawrence Dugan Sr., 52, is spending his nights at the Delaware County Prison on attempted homicide charges in connection with the Aug. 29 stabbing of his namesake.

The elder Dugan claims he stabbed his heroin-addicted son in the head, back and stomach to end more than a decade of theft and abuse by his son.

Dugan Sr.'s ex-wife, Patricia, and his daughter, Melissa, showed up Monday to support him at his preliminary hearing in district court.

"He's in good spirits, considering the situation," Melissa Dugan said of her father.

Thin and haggard, Dugan Sr. stood before Upper Darby District Judge Harry Karapalides, unaware that he was being represented by the public defender's office.

But, even behind bars, Dugan Sr. couldn't escape his son's wrongdoings.

His preliminary hearing was continued at the request of the defense because of a conflict of interest in the case.

Since the public defender's office has represented his son on two previous criminal matters, Dugan Sr. will require a court-appointed attorney.

A new preliminary hearing date was set for Oct. 1.

Outside the courtroom, Dugan's ex-wife and daughter were optimistic, but not overly confident, at the chances of recovery for Dugan Jr., who, they said, put his father through "absolute hell" to support his heroin addiction.

"I sure hope he's getting help," Patricia Dugan said, admitting that she's had little contact with her son since his release from the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Dugan Sr. remains in prison in lieu of $500,000 bail. *