One of four Ohio men facing charges in connection with the armed robbery and murder of marijuana businessman Sam Simko of Commerce Township is getting a new court-appointed lawyer due to a conflict with the first one assigned to his case.
At a court hearing Tuesday afternoon, 50th District Judge Cynthia Thomas Walker accepted the withdrawal of attorney Jordan Zuppke, who had been appointed to represent Christopher Matacia on felony murder and armed robbery charges.
Zuppke told the judge he has “a relationship with one of the victims in the case” and that it would be in Matacia’s “best interest” to withdraw.
Another attorney is to be appointed for Matacia in time for his next court appearance -– a probable cause conference on April 8.
Simko was fatally shot on Jan. 13 at his cannabis grow facility in the 1000 block of University Drive in Pontiac. He was 66.
Approximately 50 pounds of marijuana was stolen, according to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.
Co-defendants Scott Aloysius Brown, 28, William Gregory Creasy, 24, and Deonte Damonte Prophett, 32, face the same charges. Prophett, who detectives believe fired the fatal gunshots, is also charged with using a firearm in the commission of a felony and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
Brown, Creasy and Prophett are scheduled for a preliminary exam on May 30 in 50th District Court.
The exam — where evidence will be presented for Judge Ronda Walker to determine if the case should move forward — is expected to take more than one day. Day two, if needed, is to be determined.
A preliminary exam hasn’t been scheduled for Matacia, but should he opt to have one it’s anticipated it will be added to the exam for his co-defendants.