Judge denies defendant’s request to replace his attorney

WILMINGTON, NC (StarNews) — A New Hanover County murder suspect must keep his attorney.

That was the ruling from Superior Court Judge Charles Henry yesterday, according to the Star News.

Henry said after reviewing the materials, he found Nashid Porter showed no acts or omission that would indicate public defender Jennifer Harjo wasn’t competent to represent him.  Porter had filed a motion to dismiss his attorney insisting that he should have a right to choose his counsel.

Porter is accused of murdering Brian Grant, 32, in July 2012. He is also accused of killing Obediah Hester in Duplin County in 2014. Hester was supposed to testify against Porter in the New Hanover County trial. Porter was under electronic monitoring at the time.

If Porter is convicted, New Hanover District Attorney Ben David says Duplin County prosecutors plan to seek a death sentence.

For more information on the case, head to the Star News Online.