Wichita ? A federal judge Friday granted a continuance in the death penalty trial of the man accused of killing Greenwood County Sheriff Matt Samuels, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Judge Monti Belot issued an order granting the defendant’s oral request for appointment of a third defense counsel. He also granted a continuance of Scott Cheever’s trial to a later date, which the judge did not specify.

Jury selection in the case began last week.

Cheever is charged with killing Samuels, 42, on Jan. 17, 2005, after the sheriff went to a home near Hilltop to serve a search warrant. Prosecutors say Cheever shot Samuels to protect a meth lab.