An issue over an attorney was cleared up Friday morning, paving the way for jury trials for two men accused in the October 2006 murder of a Lawrence hip-hop artist.

Trials for Major Edwards, 30, and Durrell Jones, 24, will be held back-to-back in May. Both men are charged in the death of 28-year-old Anthony Vital, who was found dead on a private country lane 2 miles west of Lawrence. He had suffered multiple gunshot wounds.

During a hearing on Friday, Chief Douglas County District Judge Robert Fairchild allowed Jones’ attorney, Jessica Travis, to withdraw from the case because she’s moving to Florida. Scott White was appointed to represent Jones in his May 17 trial.

The case for Edwards will go before a jury on May 3. Each case is scheduled to last two weeks, said Cheryl Wright, spokeswoman for District Attorney Charles Branson.