NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (AP) - The trial of a Springfield man charged with being high on heroin when he crashed his SUV into a motorcycle, killing the father and daughter riders, will proceed as scheduled after he withdrew a request to change lawyers.
James Ainsworth is being held on $100,000 bail after pleading not guilty to charges including negligent motor vehicle homicide while under the influence of drugs in connection with the August crash in Easthampton. Killed were 62-year-old Edward McGrath of Holyoke, and his passenger daughter, 29-year-old Brittney McGrath of Brooklyn, New York.
Ainsworth had filed a request to change court-appointed lawyers, citing disagreements on defense strategies.
But at a hearing Tuesday, Ainsworth withdrew his request.
Friends and relatives of the McGraths called the request a stall tactic
The trial is scheduled for July.
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