BORDERLAND
Attorney withdraws from home invasion case
2/3/2014Citing “irreconcilable differences,” the defense attorney for a Toledoan charged in a fatal May 18 home invasion asked to withdraw from the case Monday.
Lucas County Common Pleas Judge Myron Duhart agreed to allow lawyer Richard Roberts to withdraw from representing James Allen, 19, of 1732 E. Westland Gardens Rd. The judge appointed Merle Dech in his place and continued Mr. Allen’s trial until April 28.
Mr. Allen is charged with aggravated murder, aggravated burglary, and aggravated robbery for the shooting death of James Safadi at his South River Road home in Waterville Township. Three co-defendants — Ronald Rooker, 32; Adam Anderson, 20, and Phillip Allen, Jr., 22 — face similar charges in the fatal home invasion.