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Man Accused of Killing Bronx Shelter Director to Get New Lawyer

By Eddie Small | July 29, 2015 5:09pm
 Spruill appeared in court via video on Wednesday and will get a new lawyer at his next appearance.
Spruill appeared in court via video on Wednesday and will get a new lawyer at his next appearance.
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DNAinfo/Eddie Small

THE BRONX — The man accused of sexually assaulting and murdering a homeless shelter director will get a new lawyer after months of advocating to represent himself.

West Spruill, who has been indicted on murder and kidnapping charges in the death of 36-year-old Ana Charle, appeared by video in court on Wednesday and sharply criticized his attorney Cesar Gonzalez.

"He refers to me as being very difficult, and he said, quote, he has no horse in this race, which means that he’s not invested in this case, that he has no interest in this case," he said.

Spruill also had harsh words for how the media had been portraying him and strenuously objected to their presence in the courtroom.

"Look, I’m not a supermodel, OK?" he said. "I don’t like people taking pictures of me."

Judge Margaret Clancy said she would assign another lawyer to Spruill.

"I will relieve Mr. Gonzalez on the next date," she said. "I’m going to appoint new counsel for you."

Spruill repeatedly and emphatically requested that his new lawyer be qualified, experienced and have a winning record, despite Clancy's insistence that people did not keep track of the win-loss records for attorneys.

"I’m going to get you an experienced attorney from the homicide panel," she said. "Nobody calculates any win or loss record. That’s not part of the equation here, but I’m going to get you a very experienced lawyer."

Spruill will return to court on Aug. 3 to receive his new lawyer.

He appeared by video after refusing to enter the courtroom on July 13, claiming he feared for his life and safety.

Gonzalez said he was "not disappointed" to be taken off of the case but said that Spruill's characterization of him as not caring about it was inaccurate.

He was not optimistic that Spruill's next lawyer would have an easier time dealing with him.

"The way he acted with me, I think he's going to act with any subsequent attorney," he said.

Tanya LeMelle, who was at the courthouse on Wednesday and said she was Charle's best friend, was upset about Spruill's behavior during the proceedings.

"It's like reliving a nightmare all over again. His attitude his horrible," she said. "I respect the judge for exercising extreme control."

She said she hoped that he would ultimately not end up representing himself in court.

"I think that will lead to some sort of mistrial down the road," she said. "He should definitely have a lawyer."