Alva Review-Courier -

Brian Poggemeyer stood before the judge Friday morning with his attorney as the duo informed the magistrate that there was an announcement to be made. The defendant's court appearance was supposed to be for a preliminary hearing, but after acknowledging the need to hear the announcement, Judge Mickey J. Hadwiger chose to strike the hearing from the day's docket. Poggemeyer, 43, was charged with second degree murder following an extensive investigation for last October's beating death of Alva-man Dustin Goodrich.

Poggemeyer's current attorney, Blayne Allsup, spoke to the judge and tried to explain his client's change of heart.

Recently offered a plea bargain for his part in the murder of Goodrich, the defendant's views drastically changed from that of his attorney's sometime during that process, resulting in his request for alternate representation. The rift was made clear when Poggemeyer voiced to the judge that he didn't even want to speak to his attorney and would like to pick a new one.

Judge Hadwiger informed Poggemeyer that unless he is able to secure a private attorney, one would be appointed to him from the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System (OIDS), voiding the luxury of personally choosing representation.

The judge scheduled a status hearing for 1:30 p.m. on June 19 to determine if Poggemeyer will continue pro se (without a lawyer), continue with Blayne Allsup, or be appointed new representation through OIDS.