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Report: David Laffer, Medford Pharmacy Massacre Suspect, Gets High-Profile Attorney

RIVERHEAD, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The man charged with killing four people during a drug holdup at a Long Island pharmacy is now represented by Amy Fisher's former attorney.

PHOTOS: Medford Pharmacy Massacre

Newsday says Eric Naiburg will defend David Laffer, who has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder charges.

A teenage Fisher pleaded guilty to shooting Mary Jo Buttafuoco in the head in 1992. The victim's husband, auto body shop owner Joey Buttafuoco, served jail time for statutory rape in the headline-grabbing case.

Naiburg's other high-profile clients have included Richard Angelo, a nurse known as the "Angel of Death." He was convicted of killing four patients with lethal injections in 1987.

Laffer and his wife Melinda Brady were arrested on June 22 in connection with the execution-style murders of four people at Haven Pharmacy on Father's Day.

Laffer has been charged with five counts of first-degree murder and four counts of criminal use of firearms. He has pleaded not guilty.

Brady is charged with third-degree robbery and obstruction but may face additional charges. Police say she drove the getaway car. She too pleaded not guilty.

According to Newsday, Laffer received a notice to appear for jury duty just days after his arrest, beginning June 28. However, he's been excused from serving.

In a letter written to Commissioner of Jurors Michael O'Donohoe on June 29, Laffer wrote "I have recently (as of 23 Jun) been arrested, and am currently detained at Riverhead Correctional Facility on some very serious felony charges. I simply wished to relay this to you, so that I do not get into any further legal troubles."

The letter, signed "Sincerely, David Laffer" was delivered Wednesday and O'Donohoe said his office would honor Laffer's request.

O'Donohoe says if Laffer were out on bail, he would be eligible to serve on a jury.

What do you think of Naiburg defending Laffer? Sound off in our comments section below…

(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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