Eighth District Court Judge John R. Anderson has appointed Salt Lake attorney Lonnie Deland to represent Lucas Ray Black, 33, of Fort Duchesne, on an interim basis.
Black is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the Feb. 10 stabbing death of Connie M. Richens, 33, of Vernal.Deland was one of five attorneys who submitted bids to the court to represent Black in the event he was unable to pay for his own attorney. During a status hearing Friday in 8th District Court in Vernal, Anderson noted that Black's family had contacted Salt Lake City attorney Brad Rich, and hopes to retain him in place of Deland.
A second defendant in the case, Scott M. Reed, 30, has retained the services of Salt Lake attorney Greg Skordas. Reed has also been charged with first-degree murder.