Court appoints 3rd attorney in tree-poisoning case

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — A third attorney has been appointed to represent the man charged with poisoning the Toomer’s Corner oak trees on Auburn University’s campus.

The court appointed Montgomery’s Jerry Blevins to handle the case. He replaces Jerry Hauser, who filed a motion today in Lee County Circuit Court to withdraw from the case because of a potential conflict of interest. His wife, Margaret Fitch-Hauser, is head of Auburn’s department of communication and journalism.

Harvey Updyke Jr. has been charged with first-degree criminal mischief.

The court appointed Hauser Friday after Philip Tyler was allowed to withdraw. Tyler, who also had been appointed by the judge, also cited conflicts — including his former job as an assistant professor at the university.