Opinion
07-CR-66-C.
September 4, 2007
ORDER
On September 4, 2007, this court held an ex parte hearing on Attorney Robert Ruth's ex parte motion to withdraw as counsel. Defendant Daniel TePoel was present with Attorney Ruth. After a thorough and frank discussion with both men, I denied the motion. Mr. TePoel and Attorney Ruth are willing to attempt to continue to work together to resolve this case; if they are unsuccessful, the best TePoel can hope for is that Ruth remains as standby counsel; the worst is that TePoel will be completely pro se. Nobody wants this to happen. The court will do what it can to maintain the integrity of this attorney-client relationship.
Toward that end, the remainder of the schedule in this case is stricken, to be replaced in telephonic consultation with both sides. TePoel, by counsel, may have until October 5, 2007, within which to file any pretrial motions, with noon service on the government. The pretrial motion hearing — and an evidentiary hearing if one is required — shall be held October 15, 2007 at 10:00 a.m., replacing the previously-scheduled final pretrial conference in this case. Other dates will be set later.