By Lucky Kidd
PAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — The preliminary hearing for a Larned man charged with second degree murder and other counts in the March 30th shooting death of Dr. Tomas Garza was continued this morning in Pawnee County District Court.
According to County Attorney Douglas McNett, Michael EG Reynolds had submitted written correspondence to the court in regard to his appointed counsel. Hodgeman County Magistrate Judge Keaton Gleason, after consultation with the parties, granted a motion by Reynolds’ attorney to withdraw from the case.
Gleason is hearing this stage of the case after District Judge Bruce Gatterman recused himself due to a possible conflict of interest.
The preliminary hearing will be rescheduled once new counsel has been appointed and had an opportunity to review the case file.
Reynolds, who is also charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and criminal possession of a firearm, remains in the Pawnee County Jail with a bond now set at $250,000. At the time of his arrest, he had been ordered held without bond.
