Newspaper shooting case lawyer may step aside due to health

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – A public defender representing the man accused of killing five employees at the Capital Gazette newspaper in Maryland may step aside due to health concerns.

The director of victim services for the state’s attorney’s office told relatives of the five victims in an email Tuesday that recent delays in the case were due to health issues affecting the attorney. Bill Davis is representing Jarrod Ramos, who’s been charged with murder.

Heather Amador wrote future scheduling will be discussed in coming weeks, once the attorney knows his long-term prognosis. The Capital first reported on the email.

On Tuesday, the judge extended a deadline for a possible plea of not guilty by reason of insanity for 60 days. Ramos pleaded not guilty in July.

A hearing scheduled for Monday also was postponed.