TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A significant development has emerged just weeks before the upcoming trial of Phoenix Ikner, the 21-year-old accused in a deadly shooting at Florida State University’s Student Union earlier this year. Ikner will have new legal representation following a request from his previous attorney to withdraw from the case due to a conflict of interest.
Ikner faces charges stemming from an incident on April 17 that left two people dead: Robert Morales, who served as an FSU dining coordinator, and Tiru Chabba, a food service vendor. The shooting, which also resulted in multiple injuries, paused only when an FSU police officer shot Ikner, hitting him in the face. His trial is currently set for November 3.
Court documentation reveals that Assistant Public Defender Peter Mills submitted a motion to withdraw his representation last week, prompting Circuit Judge Lance Neff to appoint the Office of Regional Civil and Criminal Conflict Counsel to take over Ikner’s defense. The newly assigned attorney is required to file a notice of appearance within ten days and ensure all relevant parties have been contacted regarding the case.
There is uncertainty surrounding whether this change in legal counsel will lead to a delay in the upcoming trial or if the new attorney will opt to continue waiving Ikner’s court appearances. Mills had previously expressed concern about the November trial date, arguing that it did not afford adequate time for a thorough review of evidence, which reportedly includes extensive video footage and numerous witness statements.
State Attorney Jack Campbell indicated the appointment of a new attorney would likely result in postponement, estimating that the trial could be delayed by one or two years. He has already informed the victims and their legal representatives about the possible delays associated with the case.
As it stands, the new defense counsel has yet to request a continuance, and no official postponement has been ordered by the court. Ikner remains in custody at the Wakulla County Jail, notably due to familial connections within law enforcement; his stepmother is a deputy with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, with the incident involving her former service weapon.
As the situation unfolds, both legal teams are expected to navigate a complex array of evidence and testimonies, making the upcoming weeks critical for the trial’s future.