The young man charged in the murder of Spanish golfer Celia Barquin Arozamena, whose crime he has pleaded not guilty to, has changed attorneys despite objections from his former legal representative.
The Des Moines Register reports that Story County District Court Judge Bethany Currie yesterday granted a request by Collin Richards, 22, to be defended by a different attorney. The defendant cited a “communication problem” with his legal representative.
Richards’ heretofore attorney, public defender Paul Rounds, objected to the request and said there were no grounds for the change.
The judge granted Richards’ request and it will be up to her to appoint an attorney from the Marshalltown public defender’s office.
Richards is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Iowa State University student Celia Barquin. She was killed Sept. 17 while playing a round at a public field in Ames, near the university campus.
Richards’ trial is scheduled for April 30 next.
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