Man Charged In Armada Teen's Murder To Get Court-Appointed Lawyer
ROMEO (WWJ) - An attorney for the St. Clair county man accused in the beating death of an Armada teen is off the case.
During a pre-conference hearing in District Court in Romeo, Dean Akouny told a judge he's withdrawing as counsel from James VanCallis' murder trial.
He wouldn't say why, but VanCallis' mother Brenda said they can not afford an attorney for their son's murder trial.
"Defense attorneys are very expensive" she told reporters, "and that's the reason. I don't know what else to say."
VanCallis, 32, is charged with premeditated murder in the death of 14-year old April Millsap in July. Her body was found along a popular walking trail in Armada after the teen's dog alerted a passersby.
Prosecutors allege VanCallis beat Milsap to death and tried to rape her.
Millsap's family was in the court with other supporters Thursday wearing pink.
Family friend Jennifer Jaros was asked what she thought about VanCallis' family maintaining his innocence.
"I don't think about them," Jaros said. "I think about Jennifer (Millsap's mother) and I think about April and the reason that we're here for her."
VanCallis is due back in court on Dec. 15.
