Tuesday, November 24, 2009
HOLLIDAYSBURG, Pa. (AP) — A judge has appointed public defenders to represent a troubled Iraq war veteran who faces the possible death penalty on charges he fatally shot two people while robbing a sandwich shop in central Pennsylvania.
Defense Attorney David Shrager last month asked a Blair County judge to let him withdraw from the case of 29-year-old Nicholas Horner, of Altoona. Horner’s wife, Windy, says Horner’s parents fired Shrager.
On Monday, Judge Jolene Kopriva appointed assistant public defender John Siford to handle the guilt phase of Horner’s trial, while assistant public defender David Beyer will prepare the death penalty defense.
Horner allegedly killed a 19-year-old clerk and a bystander while taking about $130 from an Altoona Subway store on April 6. He has pleaded not guilty.