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Whether or not double-murder suspect Anthony Gaines will go to trial in July is uncertain, as one of his defense lawyers is requesting to withdraw from the case.
Defense attorneys Michael Coleman and Brandi Jones represent Gaines, who is accused in the 2021 fatal shooting deaths of Kierra Wallace and George Gomez. Coleman has accepted a new position at a different law firm, and he informed the court during a hearing Monday morning that by doing so, he must cease his current representations, including Gaines.
While the Commonwealth had no objection to Coleman’s motion to withdraw, Circuit Judge Andrew Self did, saying this case has been ongoing since 2021. The death penalty is being sought in this case, which adds its own layer of complications, and Judge Self pointed out that trial has already been continued once before—and he is reluctant to continue it again.
Jones clarified that defense attorney Tom Griffiths is likely to be Coleman’s replacement and he already has knowledge of the case, but she couldn’t be sure he would be ready by the July trial date.
Judge Self deferred ruling on the motion to withdraw, apologizing for the complications it might cause Coleman, and says he wants a definitive answer on whether Griffiths will be ready to proceed with trial at a pretrial hearing set for April 13.
Gaines is charged with two counts of murder, first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, tampering with physical evidence and four counts of wanton endangerment. He’s also now facing additional charges of two counts of third-degree inmate assault on a corrections employee and four counts of third-degree terroristic threatening following a recent incident that occurred while he was in custody.