NORTHWOOD — The Northwood man charged with stabbing his ex-girlfriend to death in August is getting a new lawyer.

A Worth County District Court judge this week ordered a public defender out of Fort Dodge, Iowa, to represent Tyrone Robin Washington, 39, in the death of Justina Marie Smith, 30, in Swensrud Park.

Washington had been represented by Susan Flander of the Mason City public defender’s office but on multiple occasions had complained Flander was handling his case poorly and that because of this he would not get a fair trial.

Earlier this month, he said he would rather take his chances with a less-experienced lawyer or even represent himself than continue with Flander.

He later withdrew his request in a letter to the judge.

“Even though the defendant has purportedly withdrawn his motion to appoint substitute counsel, it is clear that the working relationship between the defendant and Ms. Flander has deteriorated to the extent that they cannot effectively communicate or prepare a defense together,” wrote Worth County Judge Colleen Weiland in an order filed Wednesday.

Washington will now be represented by Charles Kenville, who is a public defender from the Fort Dodge office.

Weiland in November ordered the case be moved to Fort Dodge because of pretrial publicity.

Washington faces a charge of first-degree murder in Smith’s death on Aug. 5.

His trial is slated to begin June 2.