Updyke lawyer wants to leave case before trial - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

Updyke lawyer wants to leave case before trial

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OPELIKA, Ala. (AP) - A lawyer representing Harvey Updyke wants to leave the case before the University of Alabama fan stands trial on charges of poisoning Auburn University's oak trees at Toomer's Corner.

Attorney Louis J. Willie III of Birmingham filed the request Tuesday, but a judge has yet to rule.

Willie says he was asked to represent Updyke for free, yet he's had to travel to meetings on the case for months. He says he needs to step aside given the uncertainty over Updyke's trial date in Opelika.

Willie says another lawyer whose acting as the lead defense attorney, Everett Wess, can represent Updyke without problem.

Updyke is set for trial in early October on charges of poisoning the trees. The defense is also asking a judge to move the case outside Opelika.

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