Judge Searches for Lawyer in Quincy Shooting Death Case

A western Illinois judge says he's confident an attorney will be appointed by July 1 to represent an Arizona man accused in the fatal shooting of a 12-year-old Quincy boy.

The Quincy Herald-Whig reports that Judge Scott Walden told 20-year-old Steson L. Crider during a brief Wednesday hearing that counsel would be set by Crider's next hearing on July 1. Walden told Crider he wants to make sure he's "represented by someone that is competent and appropriate."

Chief Public Defender Holly Henze had been assigned to represent him, but she and others in the office had conflicts.

Crider is charged with first-degree murder in the death of seventh-grader Ray Humphrey Jr.

Crider's father, stepmother and half-brother have pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit obstruction of justice.