OGDEN, Utah (ABC 4 News) - The man accused of killing a police officer and wounding five others appeared in an Ogden courtroom on Tuesday.
Matthew David Stewart's attorney Randy Richards told the court he did not have the means to provide an adequate defense for his client because the Stewart family has not provided enough money. According to Richards, he is representing Stewart as a courtesy after the family paid a portion of funds.
The judge appointed two public defenders and a private investigator to the case.
Richards also claimed state prosecutors are taking their time in answering requests for discovery motions. He said he has not received any evidence or help from state prosecutors regarding the case.
Prosecutors said they are in no way doing anything wrong. The state is attempting to preserve all of the evidence against Stewart, but it is a lengthy process.
According to prosecutors, there are 52 officers and 9 agencies involved in the investigation, not including workers from the Utah State Crime Lab and medical examiner's office.
Each interview and interrogation from officers is being transcribed and put together to be presented to Stewart's attorney. The state said the process takes time.
A gag order was requested by the state, which would prevent attorneys or future witnesses from talking to the public. Stewart's attorney is considering the gag order request and will likely have a response at the next court hearing.
The status hearing was scheduled for March 19 at 10 a.m. at the Weber County Courthouse.
Members of Jared Francom's family, including his wife and brother, attended the proceedings.
Officer Casey Burrell also attended the hearing. He was in good spirits, but neither he nor members of the Francom family wanted to speak with the media.
Stewart's family was not in attendance. His house remains locked up during the investigation.
"We may preserve that house until the bitter end of this trial," Prosecutor Chris Shaw said.
