A Virginia homicide suspect has received a new attorney after having his public defenders discharged in wake of alleged threats.
Kassius Benson, a private practice attorney and part-time public defender based in Minneapolis, filed a certificate of representation Thursday for defendant Anthony James Isham.
Isham, 44, is charged with premeditated first-degree murder and intentional second-degree murder in connection with the April 2014 slaying of Harley Joseph Jacka, 28, in Virginia.
Sixth Judicial District Judge James Florey ruled late last month that Isham's public defenders, Kevin Cornwell and Kimberly Corradi, were "ethically disqualified" from representing Isham following a tense March courthouse jail cell meeting.
The attorneys said Isham became frustrated with their trial strategy and threatened "repercussions" unless the case was handled to his liking.
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Florey agreed that Isham's comments were intended as a threat, but said his behavior did not rise to the level warranting a forfeiture of his Sixth Amendment right to counsel. He instructed the state public defender's office to appoint an attorney from another district outside of Northeastern Minnesota.
Isham is facing a mandatory life sentence if convicted on the first-degree murder charge. The other defendants in the case have pleaded guilty to their roles in Jacka's killing.
Isham's next court date has yet to be scheduled.
