Macomb, IL – A McDonough County man accused of murder has been allowed to retain additional counsel. Daniel Belknaps attorney, Ramon Escapa, requested the additional lawyer because he's been practicing law for only one year. Escapa says he wants to make sure his client is adequately represented.
Prosecuting attorney Edwin Parkinson says he doesn't have a problem with the request given the severity of the charges against Belknap.
The new attorney will be Daniel Fultz, based in Springfield.
Belknap was charged with first degree murder in 2008. He was sentenced to thirty years in the killing of five-year-old Silven Yocum of Industry, who was Belknap's girlfriend's daughter.
An appeals court remanded the trial back to McDonough County due to jury selection rules that were not followed.