Update: Harvey Updyke's preliminary hearing will be Wednesday, March 2nd at 9:00 a.m. CT at the Lee County Justice Center.
AUBURN, Ala. (AP) - A third court appointed attorney has asked to withdraw from representing the man charged with poisoning the Toomer's Corner oak trees on Auburn University's campus.
Montgomery's Jerry Blevins filed a motion to Lee County Circuit Court dated Tuesday citing an "irreconcilable conflict" between himself and defendant Harvey Updyke Jr.
Blevins replaced Jerry Hauser, who filed a motion to withdraw from the case because of a potential conflict of interest.
His wife, Margaret Fitch-Hauser, is head of Auburn's department of communication and journalism.
The court appointed Hauser Friday after Philip Tyler was allowed to withdraw. Tyler, who also had been appointed by the judge, also cited conflicts - including his former job as an assistant professor at the university.
Court appoints 3rd attorney in tree-poisoning case
AUBURN, AL (AP) - A third attorney has been appointed to represent the man charged with poisoning the Toomer's Corner oak trees on Auburn University's campus.
The court appointed Montgomery's Jerry Blevins to handle the case. He replaces Jerry Hauser, who filed a motion Tuesday in Lee County Circuit Court to withdraw from the case because of a potential conflict of interest.
His wife, Margaret Fitch-Hauser, is head of Auburn's department of communication and journalism.
Harvey Updyke Jr. has been charged with first-degree criminal mischief.
The court appointed Hauser Friday after Philip Tyler was allowed to withdraw.
Tyler, who also had been appointed by the judge, also cited conflicts - including his former job as an assistant professor at the university.
Another attorney wants out of tree-poisoning case
AUBURN, AL (AP) - A second attorney is asking to be removed from representing the man charged with poisoning the oak trees at Toomer's Corner near Auburn University.
Jerry Hauser filed a motion Tuesday in Lee County Circuit Court to withdraw from the case because of a potential conflict of interest. His wife, Margaret Fitch-Hauser, is head of Auburn's department of communication and journalism.
Harvey Updyke Jr. has been charged with first-degree criminal mischief.
The court appointed Hauser last Friday after Philip Tyler was allowed to withdraw after citing conflicts, including his former job as an assistant professor at the university.
Tyler had also been appointed by the judge.
Auburn could finish replacing the poisoned soil with fresh soil on Tuesday.
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