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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA Blackford County judge has denied a request for a second court-appointed lawyer from an eastern Indiana man accused of killing a father and daughter.
The Star Press reports 59-year-old Charles R. Whittington of Portland, Indiana, wrote to the judge last week to ask for an additional lawyer, saying his current attorney is "very busy."
"I have many concerns and things that need to be done," Whittington wrote in the letter. "If I had co-counsel, it would greatly help things along."
The judge turned down the request Monday.
Whittington was charged last month in the shooting deaths of 40-year-old Shane Williamson and his 14-year-old daughter, Katelin. The judge entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf and also issued a gag order, preventing the public from seeing case details found in the probable cause affidavit.
Authorities say Williamson was found dead the morning of Feb. 5 in the parking lot of a Hartford City apartment building, and that his daughter was later found dead in their apartment. Whittington was detained by police later that day, but authorities have not talked about possible motive or any link between him and Williamson and his daughter.
Whittington is being held in jail without bond. His trial is scheduled to open July 28.
A message seeking comment was left with the attorney representing Whittington.
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