A man charged with first-degree murder chose to go to trial rather than sign a plea agreement, and discussed getting a new attorney with the judge.

Andrew J. Martson, 44, of Ahsahka, appeared remotely Tuesday before 2nd District Judge Adam Green in Clearwater County, along with public defender William Fitzgerald and Clearwater County Prosecutor Eric Tyler.

The hearing was scheduled for a change of plea, but Green noted that no plea agreement had been filed, according to court documents.

Fitzgerald told the court that mediation was successful but Martson declined to sign the plea agreement and no longer wants Fitzgerald to represent him, according to court documents.

Martson addressed Green in court and told him he wants to go to trial and have a new attorney.

Green told Martson he doesn’t have a right to another attorney without sufficient reason and he can’t “request another attorney because he doesn’t like Mr. Fitzgerald,” which Martson said he understood, according to court documents.

Green told Martson that he would keep the trial date set for Oct. 7. He said he would continue to discuss it with Fitzgerald until a motion to withdraw as his attorney is filed, according to court documents.

Martson was charged in January after the sheriff’s office received a call from him, allegedly saying he’d killed his friend. Deputies arrived at a camper/trailer at 43 Happy Loop in Ahsahka and found the victim, Ronnie L. Cheney, 38, of Casper, Wyo., with multiple stab wounds and a knife lying next to him.

Martson allegedly told law enforcement he had been “shooting up dope” and heard voices telling him Cheney needed to die, according to the probable cause affidavit.

At a preliminary hearing in April, Fitzgerald and Tyler disagreed on the first-degree murder charge, though they agreed Martson had allegedly killed Cheney.

Fitzgerald argued that “the psychotic break” — Martson hearing voices urging him to kill — isn’t premeditation and Martson should be charged with second-degree murder or manslaughter. Tyler argued that the multiple stab wounds suggested malice aforethought and intent to kill.

Magistrate Judge David Judd allowed the case to move forward as first-degree murder and said the prosecution can prove its case before a jury.

The maximum penalty for first-degree murder is life in prison as well as a $50,000 fine. Martson also has a persistent violator enhancement that would increase the maximum penalty for the charge to life in prison if he is found guilty.

Brewster may be contacted at kbrewster@lmtribune.com or at (208) 848-2297.