Olathe ? The lead attorney for accused serial killer John E. Robinson withdrew from the case Thursday citing a conflict of interest.

Johnson County District Judge John Anderson III discharged Bob L. Thomas from the defense team only after Robinson agreed in court to the dismissal.

Thomas, who was a first-year lawyer when Robinson hired him last year, asked to withdraw from the case last week. One of his previous clients, who was in jail with Robinson, could be called as a witness because he says Robinson told him crime details no one else knew, according to documents filed in Johnson County District Court.

Robinson, of Olathe, faces capital murder charges in the deaths of two women whose bodies were found in June 2000 in metal barrels on property he owned in Linn County.

Robinson also is charged in Missouri with killing three women whose bodies were found in barrels in Cass County.

Dist. Atty. Paul Morrison declined to argue against the judge’s assertion that under case law Robinson has the right to the counselor of his choice.

Jason Billam was named the new lead defense attorney in the case.

Also on Thursday, Anderson denied the defense’s motion for a continuance of the trial, which is scheduled for September.

Two experienced death-penalty defense lawyers who were appointed to help Thomas had asked Anderson to postpone the trial because they will have to bear Thomas’ work load if he leaves.

Anderson said there still was plenty of time for the attorneys to prepare in the seven months before the trial.

The next hearing was set for Wednesday when defense attorneys will continue their arguments seeking a change of venue.