MONROE - The court Tuesday denied the request of a Brodhead man convicted in January in the death of his 2-month-old son, for a new judge.
Casey J. Shelton, 33, was convicted of first-degree reckless homicide Jan. 17 in the death of his son, Christopher, Feb. 28, 2007, at a Decatur township residence. He faces up to 40 years in prison and 20 years extended supervision.
Shelton appeared in court with his attorney, Katherine Findley, to request a different judge in the case.
Green County Circuit Court Judge James Beer denied the request because it was made too late in the case.
Green County Assistant District Attorney Jeff Kohl said a person has the right to request a new judge until the end of an arraignment.
The court also learned only one day of transcripts from the week-long trial have been provided to Findley. She said she didn't know when she would receive the rest of the transcripts.
A May 5 status conference is scheduled to determine if the rest of the transcripts have been provided to Findley and if the sentencing portion of the case can go forward.
Shelton was scheduled for sentencing March 18 but his trial attorney, Michael Murphy, asked permission to withdraw from the case after he learned Shelton made comments to third parties which were critical of Murphy's abilities as a defense lawyer.
Findley took over Shelton's case after Murphy withdrew in February and asked Beer for time to look at all of the evidence and transcripts of the trial. She said it was important she see the information to go forward with sentencing.
She also told Beer she would need time to prepare for Shelton's second trial, in which he is charged with child abuse in connection to injuries sustained by his son, Christopher's twin brother, Charles, in 2007.
In the second case, Shelton, who remains in jail, is charged with two counts of child abuse, a class G felony and class H felony, respectively. He faces up to 16 years in prison and up to $25,000, if convicted.
Casey J. Shelton, 33, was convicted of first-degree reckless homicide Jan. 17 in the death of his son, Christopher, Feb. 28, 2007, at a Decatur township residence. He faces up to 40 years in prison and 20 years extended supervision.
Shelton appeared in court with his attorney, Katherine Findley, to request a different judge in the case.
Green County Circuit Court Judge James Beer denied the request because it was made too late in the case.
Green County Assistant District Attorney Jeff Kohl said a person has the right to request a new judge until the end of an arraignment.
The court also learned only one day of transcripts from the week-long trial have been provided to Findley. She said she didn't know when she would receive the rest of the transcripts.
A May 5 status conference is scheduled to determine if the rest of the transcripts have been provided to Findley and if the sentencing portion of the case can go forward.
Shelton was scheduled for sentencing March 18 but his trial attorney, Michael Murphy, asked permission to withdraw from the case after he learned Shelton made comments to third parties which were critical of Murphy's abilities as a defense lawyer.
Findley took over Shelton's case after Murphy withdrew in February and asked Beer for time to look at all of the evidence and transcripts of the trial. She said it was important she see the information to go forward with sentencing.
She also told Beer she would need time to prepare for Shelton's second trial, in which he is charged with child abuse in connection to injuries sustained by his son, Christopher's twin brother, Charles, in 2007.
In the second case, Shelton, who remains in jail, is charged with two counts of child abuse, a class G felony and class H felony, respectively. He faces up to 16 years in prison and up to $25,000, if convicted.