By Shayna Jacobs
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN SUPREME COURT — Linda Stein's convicted killer finally got what she wanted Friday — a new attorney.
After several failed attempts to replace her three trial attorneys, a Manhattan judge granted Natavia Lowery new counsel because her family allegedly threatened the lawyers in a courthouse elevator Monday.
The nature of the remarks was not revealed, but the words were "intimidating" and justified dismissing the trio of public defenders, Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Richard Carruthers said.
"Inappropriate comments had been made," said Thomas Giovanni, one of Lowery's trial attorneys from Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem.
Minutes prior to this week's elevator snafu, Lowery's stepfather, Daniel Walsh, was arrested and charged with criminal contempt for having an outburst in the courtroom when the judge ruled Lowery could not replace her lawyers for her sentencing.
Lowery was convicted of murdering celebrity realtor and ex-Ramones manager Linda Stein on Feb. 23.
Midway through her four-week trial, Lowery said she was unhappy with the case her defense team presented and asked to have them replaced by Paul Brenner, a veteran defense attorney her family hired for legal advice.
It was denied a second time during the trial and Walsh's tantrum Monday postponed another ruling on the issue, Carruthers said.
Lowery's sentencing is scheduled for May 3, prior to which Brenner will file motions. He will also try to have the conviction reversed through an appeal, he said.
"It's better for me to do the post-trial motions than it is for Neighborhood Defenders because they are not going to be handling the appeal," Brenner said.
