Ethical concerns bring in sixth attorney for Michael Perry's Lynchburg case
LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — A judge appointed a new attorney Wednesday to represent Michael Perry in his Lynchburg criminal case.
This came after his previous attorney, Paul Valois, withdrew, saying ethical concerns prevented him from continuing to represent Perry.
The attorney change comes as Perry's is also facing a pending murder case in Amherst County.
Perry is representing himself in Amherst County, where he faces multiple charges, including aggravated murder of a witness.
During Wednesday's hearing, Valois told the Judge his decision to withdraw was not based on Perry's behavior.
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The attorney said Perry is "not a problematic attendant." Instead, he said he was concerned that remaining on the Lynchburg case could create issues for the upcoming Amherst County murder trial.
Valois also told the court he consulted the Virginia State Bar's ethics resources before filing his motion to withdraw.
The Lynchburg charges are closely tied to the Amherst County prosecution. Prosecutors allege Perry killed his wife, Avriel Hooks, before she could testify against him in the Lynchburg case. That allegation led to the aggravated murder of a witness charge now pending in Amherst County.
Perry's Lynchburg case involves three charges: two counts of illegally possessing a firearm and one count of failing to appear.
After approving the withdrawal, the Judge appointed attorney Lauren Cole to take over Perry's defense in Lynchburg. The Judge noted Cole regularly appears in his courtroom and selected her to keep the case moving toward trial.
The appointment makes Cole the sixth attorney to represent Perry in the Lynchburg case during the past three years.
Cole told the court she will need time to become familiar with the case before Perry's scheduled September trial.