Joseph attorney files motion to withdraw as counsel

The lawyer for a Cape Girardeau murder suspect has filed a motion to withdraw from the case, citing irreconcilable differences with his client.

Bryan Greaser filed a motion Dec. 30 to withdraw as counsel for George Joseph, who is accused of killing his wife, Mary, and 18-year-old son, Matthew, before shooting himself in the head in what authorities believe was a failed suicide attempt.

Joseph, 49, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of armed criminal action in connection with the May 30 shootings at his home on West Cape Rock Drive.

On Dec. 17, Joseph sent Cape Girardeau County Circuit Judge Benjamin Lewis a letter stating Greaser no longer wished to represent him.

"I received a letter dated December 9, 2013 from my attorney Bryan Greaser informing me that he no longer wishes to represent me in the above case," Joseph wrote. "He cited a difference of opinions between him and me as to the best way to handle my case moving forward."

Bryan Greaser

In his letter, Joseph asked Lewis to appoint a public defender to represent him.

"Since my incarceration on June 7th, 2013, I have been unable to earn any income and would therefore appeal to you to appoint me a public defender to represent me," he wrote.

Greaser, who did not return phone calls seeking comment Friday, filed a motion to withdraw as Joseph's counsel Dec. 30, citing "irreconcilable differences."

In October, Lewis rejected a defense motion to suppress a videotape of a June 4 interview with police officers in which Joseph made several incriminating statements.

Greaser had argued the interview in the intensive care unit at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis -- where Joseph was being treated for a gunshot wound to the head -- violated Joseph's constitutional rights because officers continued to ask him questions after he asked for his attorney.

During an Oct. 18 motion hearing, the officers said their questions to Joseph were "not guilt-seeking."

Joseph's case is set for trial in September. The trial will be in Jackson, but because of the high-profile nature of the case, a jury will be brought in from Cole County, Mo.

A case review is scheduled for Jan. 13 in Cape Girardeau County Circuit Court.

epriddy@semissourian.com

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