Lawyer seeks to withdraw from case

An attorney for one of two men accused of killing a Lawrence man three years ago has asked to withdraw from the case.

Defense attorney Jessica Travis is representing Durrell Jones, who faces first-degree murder charges in the death of Lawrence hip-hop artist Anthony Vital, who was found shot to death in October 2006.

Travis is moving out of state.

She had planned on staying on as Jones’ attorney, but because of recent budget problems, the Board of Indigents’ Defense Services drastically reduced the rate it pays attorneys, so Travis asked the judge Thursday to allow her to withdraw.

“BIDS reduced the rate to $62 an hour,” Travis told the judge. “I’d basically be paying to do the case.”

The judge wants to wait to hear from Jones, who is currently in federal custody in Leavenworth.

He’ll be brought back to Douglas County for a hearing on Dec. 18.

Jones is scheduled to stand trial in May.