(WHAS 11)--A murder suspect is facing new charges accused of trying to hire a hit man to kill his co-defendant. James Mallory is accused of trying to orchestrate the whole thing while in jail.
He appeared before two judges Monday morning, the first, for his arraignment on criminal solicitation to murder, bribing a witness and criminal solicitation to tampering with a witness.
Mallory is one of three people charged in the murder of 15-year-old Gregory Holt, who was shot to death at his home in 2012. Evidence now alleges Mallory's interaction with another inmate working on a murder for hire of his co-defendant Anthony Hogan. Mallory's also charged with bribing a separate witness.
"Our intention will be to have the same jury hear the facts and circumstances, all of those charges, as it has to do with one of the witnesses that has to testify against him in his murder trial," Ryane Conroy, the prosecuting attorney said.
Conroy says her office will ask that these new charges be merged with the old ones, but it will take months to do so.
Mallory, who hasn't had representation for the last two months, sat next to his newly appointed council Mark Hall in both courtrooms. He'll likely be his attorney for both cases.
"In a way, it starts it all over again," Mark Hall, his attorney said.
It's a new start to a murder case that has seen its share of trial dates come and go. The defense now hoping for a trial date in 2016.
Before either of these cases head back into the courtroom both the defense and prosecution have asked to look over Mallory's latest competency report to ensure he's able to stand trial. He's expected back in court on May 7.
