Clinton murder suspect fires lawyer

A week before his retrial was to begin, a Clinton murder suspect asked his lawyer to withdraw, effectively firing him and now leaving him without legal representation.

An order filed today shows William Edwards told his attorney, Brandon Dorsey, to recuse himself from his case last week after they appeared for a preliminary hearing before Hinds County District Judge Faye Peterson. Both the defense and the prosecution called for the trial date to be postponed from December 9th to January 2025.

Each cited article requires more time to prepare. Judge Peterson said the first trial took place in August 2023, more than a year ago and enough time to prepare for a retrial.

The judge also stated, “This court has a huge docket” and she can’t just “force” her to the desired date.

Edwards faces a second trial in the murder of community activist Robert “Bobby” Davis. He was shot and killed in May 2022 at a home on Hannah Drive in Clinton. The first trial ended in August 2023 with a jury verdict and a mistrial.

The order states that the trial is still scheduled for Monday, December 9th. There is no word on who will now represent Edwards or whether he will choose to represent himself.