A lawyer representing one of the two accused of murdering Roxanne Louie is dropping out due to health concerns, and another Penticton lawyer will be taking on the case.
Robert Maxwell, defence counsel for Pier Robotti, made an application to be removed as council in Penticton Provincial Court on Jan. 18.
Pier is charged with the second degree murder of Louie as is his sister Grace Robotti.
“I just find that I don’t have that kind of energy in me since my heart operation to work 12 hours a day nonstop,” Maxwell said.
Penticton defence lawyer Don Skogstad has been retained by Pier.
“I’ve met with the client, he’s happy to have me take over. We’re ready to proceed as scheduled,” Skogstad said, appearing via telephone at the Penticton Courthouse.
A preliminary inquiry is set to begin in the first week of February.