Accused Killer: "I can't go to war with somebody that I don't trust"
PASCO, Wash. -- The man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend told a Superior Court Judge on Thursday that he wants his attorney thrown out. Quite simply, Kurtis Chapman said he doesn't trust his court-appointed lawyer, Matt Rutt.
Chapman said, "I have no trust, and I can't go to war with somebody that I don't trust."
He doesn't trust Rutt, he said, because of "lack of correspondence and lies which now amounts to a conflict of interest."
Chapman claimed Rutt wasn't always available during the times he contacted him and said Rutt would often change tactics last minute, which Chapman said left him in the lurch.
"What we're doing for trial is not what we planned at first and I don't feel comfortable not knowing now what we're going to do," he continued.
"What's done is done and you can't put the toothpaste back in the tube."
The surprise announcement, that seemed to baffle everyone in the courtroom, comes just three weeks after a judge made the decision to allow the murder case to go to trial. Months ago, a Pasco Police officer listened in on a conversation between Rutt and Chapman and as a result, Rutt tried to get the whole case thrown out arguing that it violated Sixth Amendment rights. That process took months.
Though the case will go to trial, several Pasco Police officers will not be allowed to be part of the investigation or the trial as a result of their mistakes.
The judge could make a decision about dismissing Rutt at a court hearing next week.
Chapman faces murder charges for the death of Shenay Greenough as well as manslaughter for her unborn baby.
Chapman said, "I have no trust, and I can't go to war with somebody that I don't trust."
He doesn't trust Rutt, he said, because of "lack of correspondence and lies which now amounts to a conflict of interest."
Chapman claimed Rutt wasn't always available during the times he contacted him and said Rutt would often change tactics last minute, which Chapman said left him in the lurch.
"What we're doing for trial is not what we planned at first and I don't feel comfortable not knowing now what we're going to do," he continued.
"What's done is done and you can't put the toothpaste back in the tube."
The surprise announcement, that seemed to baffle everyone in the courtroom, comes just three weeks after a judge made the decision to allow the murder case to go to trial. Months ago, a Pasco Police officer listened in on a conversation between Rutt and Chapman and as a result, Rutt tried to get the whole case thrown out arguing that it violated Sixth Amendment rights. That process took months.
Though the case will go to trial, several Pasco Police officers will not be allowed to be part of the investigation or the trial as a result of their mistakes.
The judge could make a decision about dismissing Rutt at a court hearing next week.
Chapman faces murder charges for the death of Shenay Greenough as well as manslaughter for her unborn baby.
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