James Lantz wants to start over in his defense against murder charges. The 27-year-old Commodore man has asked Judge William Martin for a new attorney. The judge yesterday forwarded Lantz’s request to the Public Defender’s Office.
Lantz is man accused of fatally shooting his neighbor, Derrick Davis, outside of Davis’ home on Lovejoy Road in Green Township last June. Police say Davis’ girlfriend went to Lantz’s home after the couple had been arguing, and Lantz went next door and confronted Davis. They fought and Lantz pulled a sawed-off shotgun out of his backpack, firing a single fatal shot that struck Davis in the chest. He told police he had intended to fire into the ground or the air, but panicked when Davis started approaching him. He’s charged with a single count of criminal homicide.
Lantz is currently represented by attorney Robert Bell. His request for new counsel came in a letter to the court. Judge Martin has scheduled jury selection to begin June 25th.
The judge has also scheduled a hearing for April 19th on a motion filed by attorney Bell, seeking to compel discovery from forensic pathologists Dr. Tanner Bartholow and Dr. Karl Williams.
