An accused murderer has gotten a new lawyer after the public defender’s office revealed it was already representing 10 witnesses that prosecutors plan to bring against him at trial.
The defendant, Chad Ray Thompson, 33, has been appointed the legal services of Winchester-based attorney Bob Peters. The appointment was made by Circuit Court Judge Bart Stanley during a public defender’s request to be relieved of defense of Thompson.
The defendant faces first-degree murder charges for the death of his cousin, Tracy A. Martin, 38, whose body was found on the banks of the Collins River just before Thanksgiving last year. Lawmen have not revealed specifics of the case, but it is believed Martin was killed during a robbery. The cause of death has also been kept secret, although it is believed he was both beaten and shot before being left by the river to be found by fishermen.
Thompson denied involvement in the killing in an interview with the Southern Standard just before his arrest.
Thompson had been represented by the public defender’s office of Dan Bryant until Wednesday. However, the office formerly asked to be removed from the case given potential conflicts.
“The public defender’s office presently represents 10 individuals on the state’s witness list, therefore there would be a conflict if this office continued to represent the defendant,” said assistant public defender Trenena Wilcher in her motion which was upheld by the court.
As for his new lawyer, Thompson was already being represented by Peters on other charges he has pending. Peters has experience in arguing murder cases in Warren County, having served as defense attorney in several prior homicide cases here.
Thompson remains held in lieu of bond and is set to appear on his murder charge June 27.