Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY -- A judge has denied Curtis Allgier's third request for new attorneys for his capital murder trial.
Third District Judge Paul Maughan denied the man's petition in a ruling issued Thursday, saying it came after a review of the arguments in the case and of applicable laws. Allgier had contended that his attorneys had inherent conflicts that kept him from trusting them.
Allgier said their correspondences in jail were always monitored, that many of them knew corrections officer Stephen Anderson --- who Allgier is accused of killing -- and that a jail official reported to a local newspaper that an attorney working with Allgier felt threatened by the man.
Allgier's attorneys described their relationship with the man as "irretrievably broken." But Maughan said he is satisfied there was not a conflict of interest involved with any of Allgier's current attorneys with regard to knowing Anderson. He also said Allgier's current attorneys made it clear in court that it was not they who made the statement about feeling threatened.
"Therefore, there is no basis to believe that a conflict has actually arisen between defendant and defense counsel based solely on this hearsay statement reported in a local newspaper," Maughan wrote. "(Allgier) never stated he actually distrusts his attorneys, believes his attorneys actually requested additional security or that he is unable to communicate with them."
Allgier, who is known for the tattoos that cover nearly his entire body, has been in jail since June 2007. He is facing myriad charges including aggravated murder, aggravated escape, aggravated robbery and three counts of aggravated attempted murder -- all first-degree felonies -- in connection with Anderson's death.
Prosecutors say Allgier shot Anderson in the head and chest during an escape attempt, and then fled University Hospital on foot. Allgier is accused of using the weapon to steal a vehicle and then leading police on a high speed chase on I-80, I-15 and I-215 at speeds exceeding 100 mph. When the vehicle's tires were spiked, Allgier continued to flee on foot, eventually running into an Arby's restaurant near 1700 South and Redwood Road.
There, police say Allgier pointed a gun at the head of an Arby's employee before a patron was able to wrest the gun from him.
A trial has been set for May 9 through June 2. Allgier could face the death penalty if convicted.
E-mail: emorgan@desnews.com
