LAKEPORT — A judge Wednesday morning denied a motion submitted by Thomas Dudney requesting new counsel for his upcoming attempted murder trial.
Judge Andrew Blum announced the denial after a 30-minute motion hearing that was closed to the public.
Dudney, and co-defendant Joshua Wandrey, face 11 felony charges, including first-degree battery, attempted murder, torture and assault with a firearm, after allegedly shooting, torturing and hogtying Lakeport resident Ronald Greiner on Oct. 20, 2009.
Attorney Doug Rhoades, who represents Dudney, informed the court on Monday that his client intended to request new counsel. Dudney filed a similar motion in July, asking then-presiding judge Richard Martin to relieve Rhoades as his counsel. Martin denied that motion on July 26.
Wednesday”s hearing also included a mandatory settlement conference. Rhoades informed the court that no pre-trial settlement would be reached in the Dudney case.
The trial is scheduled to begin with jury selection on Jan. 24. The attorneys estimated that the trial would last a minimum of six weeks, if in session for three-day weeks.
Dudney and Wandrey are scheduled to appear in court Jan. 21 at 8:15 a.m. in Department 2 for trial assignment. Deputy district attorney Art Grothe told the court that he plans to submit a written motion regarding the Wandrey case, which will also be heard on Jan. 21.
Contact Jeremy Walsh at jwalsh@record-bee.com or call him at 263-5636, ext. 37.
