The question of whether local attorney Sam Kepfield should remain as the attorney of record seem to dominate a hearing for a 36-year-old Hutchinson man accused of murder.

Michael Brisco is charged with two alternate counts of murder for the shooting of an Illinois man back on September 9. One being first degree premeditated murder and the other a charge of second degree murder. Other charges include criminal possession of a firearm, possession of methamphetamine and aggravated intimidation of a witness.

In court, Deputy District Attorney Tom Stanton told the judge that he has concerns over handing discovery to Kepfield until he knows for sure that he will be Brisco’s attorney for the long haul. Stanton says there is some question of whether Brisco and his family can afford to pay for Kepfield to represent him in the case. Kepfield indicated that he hasn’t talked with the family over that issue, but believes the state could provide discovery to him anyway. If he is replaced by some other lawyer, then he would turn all discovery over to them. Stanton worries that something could be missed by accident and could effect any future trial. Stanton says with all the video interviews and other court documents, it could take any defense attorney 50-hours to go through it all.

Brisco seemed indifferent over who represents him calling it “an open and shut case.” He commented in court that “everyone here knows I’m innocent.”

Judge Joe McCarville decided to allow Kepfield time to visit with the family to figure out if they will retain him for all future hearings and trial. He set another hearing on these issues for November 4, at 9:30 a-m.

Brisco is charged for the killing of 26-year-old Sem Adrien. He was found suffering a gunshot wound in a small parking lot at 8th & Plum. He was taken to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center where he was then pronounced dead.

Brisco remains jailed on a 700-thousand dollar bond.