Three men accused of killing a local rapper in 2009 could get a trial date at their next Hamilton County Criminal Court hearing in November.
Two of the three men had new lawyers appointed this week after scheduling conflicts and a military deployment prevented their previous attorneys from continuing in the case.
Local defense attorney Dan Ripper will represent Julian Maurice Smith Jr., 23, in place of Justin Woodward, who is scheduled for a military deployment in early 2012. David Barrow has taken over representing Dexter Talley Jr., 30, from Hank Hill, who has scheduling issues.
Ben McGowan still represents Alonzo “Butch” Grace, 42.
On Thursday, Judge Rebecca Stern set a status hearing for Nov. 29 to allow Ripper and Barrow time to review the cases and determine a trial date, likely to be next year.