CINCINNATI – A federal judge has appointed new attorneys for an Ohio man accused of plotting to attack the U.S. Capitol in support of Islamic State group extremists.
Court documents obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press show U.S. District Judge Sandra Beckwith's order stated the federal public defender representing Christopher Lee Cornell had asked for permission to withdraw. The judge states that she met twice recently with defense counsel and that Cornell has asked for new counsel.
The judge appointed Cincinnati lawyers Martin Pinales and Candace Crouse.
Cornell has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder of U.S. officials and employees and other charges. He has been held without bond since his Jan. 14 arrest.
Cornell's new attorneys also represent a man charged with threatening to kill Republican House Speaker John Boehner (BAY'-nur).
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