Lawyer wants out of murder case

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- The attorney for a teenager accused of killing his classmate has asked to withdraw from the case. Joseph Johnson filed the motion Friday in the case of Zacheriah Tripp, citing the Buchanan County Court's refusal to provide taxpayer money to help fund Tripp's defense.

Tripp, 17, has pleaded innocent to charges that he kidnapped, raped and murdered 15-year-old Sarah Beth McCoy in December 2001.

Johnson, a Topeka, Kan., attorney, earlier asked the court to help pay the costs of bringing in two expert witnesses for the next trial, which is scheduled to start March 3. Judge Randall Jackson denied the request.

Johnson has argued that because the court certified Tripp as an adult, his parents aren't responsible for paying his legal bills.