Judge grants new lawyer to man questioned in death

FARGO, N.D. (AP) - A federal judge on Monday appointed a new defense attorney in an illegal weapons case against a North Dakota man who has been questioned by police investigating a suspected murder-for-hire scheme in Washington state.

James Henrikson, of Watford City, has pleaded not guilty to seven counts of being a felon in possession of firearms. He had complained that his public defender, William Schmidt, told him he was guilty and advised him to waive his right to a speedy trial.

Neil Fulton, head of the federal public defender’s office in the Dakotas, told The Associated Press Monday that rules regarding attorney-client privilege prohibit him from commenting on Henrikson’s assertions.

“I can say, generally, that we work for our clients and will give each of them honest information and advice and work as hard as we can for a positive resolution of their case,” Fulton said.

U.S. District Judge Daniel Hovland assigned the case to Mandan attorney Thomas Tuntland, who had no comment Monday. U.S. Attorney Timothy Purdon also declined comment.

Authorities have said Henrikson had business dealings in the North Dakota oil patch with Doug Carlile, who was shot and killed by an intruder on Dec. 15 at his Spokane, Wash., home. Henrikson told Spokane police that Carlile owed him nearly $1.9 million and that he was angry with Carlile, but denied being involved in his death.

Timothy Suckow, of Spokane, faces a first-degree murder charge in Carlile’s death. Robby Wahrer has been arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit second-degree murder. Police believe Wahrer drove the van that was spotted on surveillance camera driving to and from the scene.

Henrikson was arrested in January after a search of his Watford City residence. Court documents show investigators found several firearms and a large amount of ammunition in a gun safe inside a bathroom.

Schmidt filed a motion to exclude evidence from the search based on what he said was “access to the safe and the apparent lack of any fingerprints.” Henrikson said in a handwritten motion for new counsel that Schmidt filed the documents “knowing this would push my April 1, 2014 trial date back.”