Lance Sutton will have a new attorney as his court proceedings continue for charges connected to an alleged shooting and home invasion robbery in Emporia last year.
Sutton requested a new attorney, citing ineffective counsel from Ty Wheeler from Kansas Legal Services. Wheeler, meanwhile, said he felt obligated to withdraw as the case has continued.
Rick Meier has been appointed as Sutton’s defense counsel.
Sutton has already pleaded not guilty to formal charges of aggravated robbery and aggravated burglary dating back to an alleged shooting incident at Linn and Whildin and an alleged robbery at 9 South Rural in late October. He is tentatively set for trial May 24.
Fellow co-defendant Kenneth Hopkins is also set for trial as the overall case continues. A third co-defendant, Marcos Diaz, remains at large at last word.
