NORTHWOOD — The Northwood man accused of stabbing his ex-girfriend to death in August has withdrawn his request for a new lawyer.

Tyrone Washington Jr., 39, submitted a letter doing so after he came before Worth County District Judge Colleen Weiland on Monday stating his public defender, Susan Flander, was handling his case poorly and that because of this he would not get a fair trial.

Weiland had not yet issued an order on the request and said she does not plan on doing so unless Washington renews his request at a later time.

This was the second time Washington made the request. During his hearing, he said he would rather take his chances with a less-experienced lawyer or even represent himself than continue with Flander.

Flander said she thought the two could still work together.

Washington faces a charge of first-degree murder in the Aug. 5 death of Justina Marie Smith, 30, in Swensrud Park.

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

The trial is slated to begin June 2.