Richard is accused of shooting Jason Lazard in Opelousas on March 13, 2009. Lazard, paralyzed by the gunshot, died of complications six weeks later.
A jury was selected on Feb. 7 for Richard’s trial on charges of second-degree murder.
Before the Feb. 27 trial date arrived, defense attorney Jarvis Claiborne advised the court that in doing a background check on the victim he discovered he had represented Lazard in a drug case, a charge to which the deceased pleaded guilty.
He asked to be replaced to avoid any appearance of impropriety or conflict of interest.
A new jury will be selected on July 11.

