The man charged with the first-degree murder of another man in Ahsahka will stand trial rather than sign a plea agreement.
44-year-old Andrew. Martson, of Ahsahka, appeared remotely Tuesday before 2nd District Judge Adam Green in Clearwater County, along with public defender William Fitzgerald and Clearwater County Prosecutor Eric Tyler.
The hearing was scheduled for a change of plea, but the judge noted that no plea agreement had been filed.
Fitzgerald told the court that mediation was successful but Martson declined to sign the plea agreement and no longer wants Fitzgerald to represent him.
Martson was charged in January after the Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office received a call from him, allegedly saying he’d killed his friend. Deputies arrived at a camp trailer at 43 Happy Loop in Ahsahka and found the victim, 38-year-old Ronnie Cheney of Casper, Wyoming, with multiple stab wounds and a knife lying next to him.
Judge Green told Martson he would keep the trial date set for Oct. 7. He said he would continue to discuss it with Fitzgerald until a motion to withdraw as his attorney is filed.
