CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The man accused of killing two Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers has a new attorney.

Demetrius Montgomery, 25, is facing two first-degree murder charges for the deaths of officers Sean Clark and Jeff Shelton. The two were gunned down at an east Charlotte apartment complex March 31.

Now the public defender appointed to Montgomery's case has stepped down, citing a conflict of interest. Jean Lawson, an attorney from the Mecklenburg County Public Defenders Office, was assigned to the case just days after Montgomery was charged.

Jail records show Lawson spoke with her client at the Mecklenburg County jail several times, and even had a conversation that lasted more than an hour. But Lawson's request to withdraw cites two North Carolina state rules about lawyer conduct, including one that says a lawyer should not represent a client if that representation will hurt another client.

Because Lawson has a conflict in the case, no one else in the county public defenders office can represent Montgomery.

The state has appointed Montgomery a new attorney. He will be represented by Duane Bryant, who is in private practice in High Point. Bryant used to be an assistant district attorney in Mecklenburg County and previously worked for the public defender's office in Guilford County.

Montgomery was indicted by a grand jury on Monday. His case now moves to superior court. He could get the death penalty if convicted.

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