A judge denied Jaylen Edgar’s request to replace his attorney just days before his trial is scheduled to begin in the 2024 Halloween mass shooting that killed two people in downtown Orlando.Edgar, 24, is charged with killing 25-year-old Tyreek Hill and 19-year-old Tim Schmidt Jr. on Orange Avenue. He appeared in court to ask for a new attorney and a second mental health evaluation, claiming his current lawyer had not properly investigated his mental state the night of the shooting and pressured him to consider a 50-year plea deal.“I’m not satisfied with the representation,” Edgar told the judge. When asked to explain, he added, “I just don’t feel I’m being represented in the way I’m supposed to, as for the future.”In a handwritten letter to the court, Edgar said he had informed his attorney about “intrusive thoughts” he was experiencing the night of the shooting, but that the concerns were not addressed. He also requested that a second doctor evaluate his mental state during the incident.Judge: “I have already reviewed your letter, and is there another information you wish the court to consider about Mr. Barrett’s representation?”Edgar: “Yes, your honor.”Edgar’s attorney, Junior A. Barrett, denied pressuring him to accept a plea deal. The judge ruled against both of Edgar’s requests, meaning he will continue to be represented by his current attorney.“The court will have to decide whether or not I can go forward with it, whether or not he has the right to go forward with our office, because I can’t go forward based upon the work I have done,” Barrett said in court.Late in the hearing, prosecutors informed the judge they intend to introduce additional evidence and call two more witnesses. “The state’s evidence is going to show that he is seen on video with the firearm, and it was recovered from his person,” a state attorney said in court.The judge said the issue of the new evidence and witnesses will be addressed on Thursday.With the request for a new attorney denied, jury selection is still set to begin on Thursday, and the trial is expected to get underway early next week.

ORLANDO, Fla. —

A judge denied Jaylen Edgar’s request to replace his attorney just days before his trial is scheduled to begin in the 2024 Halloween mass shooting that killed two people in downtown Orlando.

Edgar, 24, is charged with killing 25-year-old Tyreek Hill and 19-year-old Tim Schmidt Jr. on Orange Avenue.

He appeared in court to ask for a new attorney and a second mental health evaluation, claiming his current lawyer had not properly investigated his mental state the night of the shooting and pressured him to consider a 50-year plea deal.

“I’m not satisfied with the representation,” Edgar told the judge. When asked to explain, he added, “I just don’t feel I’m being represented in the way I’m supposed to, as for the future.”

In a handwritten letter to the court, Edgar said he had informed his attorney about “intrusive thoughts” he was experiencing the night of the shooting, but that the concerns were not addressed. He also requested that a second doctor evaluate his mental state during the incident.

Judge: “I have already reviewed your letter, and is there another information you wish the court to consider about Mr. Barrett’s representation?”

Edgar: “Yes, your honor.”

Edgar’s attorney, Junior A. Barrett, denied pressuring him to accept a plea deal. The judge ruled against both of Edgar’s requests, meaning he will continue to be represented by his current attorney.

“The court will have to decide whether or not I can go forward with it, whether or not he has the right to go forward with our office, because I can’t go forward based upon the work I have done,” Barrett said in court.

Late in the hearing, prosecutors informed the judge they intend to introduce additional evidence and call two more witnesses.

“The state’s evidence is going to show that he is seen on video with the firearm, and it was recovered from his person,” a state attorney said in court.

The judge said the issue of the new evidence and witnesses will be addressed on Thursday.

With the request for a new attorney denied, jury selection is still set to begin on Thursday, and the trial is expected to get underway early next week.