The public defender representing a Mexico, Missouri man accused of assault in Miller County is asking the judge to turn over the case to another attorney outside of the state’s public defender system.
Justin Carver the Miller County public defender assigned to represent John Joe Powell filed a motion to decline representation yesterday (Wednesday).
Carver stated his office has too many cases and his office has lost five lawyers since January.
Powell is facing multiple charges after allegedly torturing a man at a campground in September.
The victim died a week later.