A judge has denied a request for a new attorney for accused murderer Ken Atkinson.
Judge Ray Crutchley scheduled the next hearing date in the murder-for-hire case for June. A trial date may be set at that time. Fifdty-seven year old Atkinson, and his nephew, 31-year-old Nathane Shane Detroit are accused of killing Bend couple Ray Atkinson Jr. and Natasha Newby in a murder-for-hire scheme. Atkinson is a former prison guard who grew up in Bend. The two are being held in the Deschutes County jail on four counts each of second-degree murder and two each of conspiracy to commit murder.