Joseph will have public defender

George Joseph will be getting a new lawyer after a Cape Girardeau County circuit judge sustained his attorney's motion to withdraw from the case Monday.

Joseph, 49, faces charges of first-degree murder and armed criminal action in connection with the May 30 shooting deaths of his wife, Mary, and 18-year-old son, Matthew, at their home on West Cape Rock Drive.

Seven months to the day after the shootings, Bryan Greaser filed a motion to withdraw as Joseph's counsel, citing "irreconcilable differences."

On Monday, Judge Benjamin Lewis upheld Greaser's Dec. 30 motion and announced Joseph would be appointed a public defender to represent him in the case.

"Mr. Joseph and I have had conversations," Greaser told Lewis in court Monday. "We've agreed that it's necessary that I withdraw from this case."

In a Dec. 17 letter to Lewis, Joseph wrote that Greaser no longer wished to represent him because of "a difference of opinions between him and me as to the best way to handle my case moving forward."

In his letter, Joseph also asked Lewis to appoint a public defender to represent him.

"Since my incarceration on June 7th, 2013, I have been unable to earn any income and would therefore appeal to you to appoint me a public defender," Joseph wrote.

On Monday, Lewis asked Joseph where he got the money to hire Greaser after his arrest in June.

"My brother," Joseph replied.

Normally, defendants who hire their own attorneys are not considered indigent and therefore do not qualify for the services of a public defender.

Judges can, however, overrule the public defender's office, as Lewis did Monday.

The case is set for trial in September. Joseph's next court date will be Feb. 10.

epriddy@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

1220 W. Cape Rock Drive, Cape Girardeau, Mo.