Kearney murder suspect fires his attorney

KEARNEY, Neb. (KSNB) - In a surprise move, the attorney for a Kearney murder suspect asked a judge to allow him to withdraw as defense counsel.

In a Wednesday court filing, defense attorney Charles Brewster said Romeo Chambers “no longer desired” his services and that Chambers perceived a conflict of interest. The document was not clear about what the conflict was. In the same filing, Brewster wrote that Chambers wished to represent himself in the case.

The judge approved Brewster’s motion to withdraw.

A preliminary hearing had been scheduled in the case Thursday morning, but it was cancelled.

Chambers, 24, is charged with second degree murder in the Jan. 16, 2022, shooting death of Jared Shinpaugh at a residence in central Kearney. Chambers also faces first degree assault, second degree assault, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and three counts of use of a firearm to commit a felony.

He was arrested last month in Arizona and was jailed in Kearney almost two years to the day after the 2022 incident.

As of late Thursday afternoon, there were no future court hearings scheduled in Chambers’ case. If convicted of second degree murder, he could get life in prison.

Click here to subscribe to our KSNB Local4 daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox.

Copyright 2024 KSNB. All rights reserved.