By Keith Gushard
Crawford County Court of Common Pleas has appointed a new attorney to represent a Florida man accused of attempted homicide in November.
Judge John Spataro has appointed J. Wes Rowden to defend Juan Migel Castellon, 50, of Pembroke Pines, Fla., after Castellon filed a motion with the court earlier this year asking for a new attorney.
Castellon was charged by Vernon Township Police in November 2009 with one count each of attempted homicide, aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering, disorderly conduct and harassment for allegedly stabbing a Meadville man in the back in an apartment at the Days Inn on Nov. 8.
In his motion, Castellon claimed Robert Trambley, the county’s public defender, wasn’t representing him properly since Trambley had filed for a continuance of the case from this month to the May term of court.
Rowden confirmed Monday that he had been appointed by Judge Spataro to now represent Castellon.
Rowden also confirmed Castellon wants the trial to begin as soon as possible.
Rowden is one of three court-appointed attorneys who can be assigned cases when a conflict arises between a defendant and the Crawford County Public Defender’s Office.
Castellon remains lodged in the Crawford County jail in Saegertown, in lieu of $300,000 bond.
Keith Gushard can be reached at 724-6370 or by e-mail at kgushard@meadvilletribune.com.
