dme court

The defendant in a November 2024 shooting death in Butler is being appointed a new attorney.

Sean Ernest Williams, 39, of Butler, has been charged by Butler police with homicide in the Nov. 4 death of Christopher Waggett, 47, of Butler, who was shot outside of an American Avenue home following an argument.

At a Thursday hearing in Butler County Common Pleas Court, Williams was granted a new court appointed attorney by Butler County Common Pleas Court Judge Joseph Kubit.

Public defender Michael McFarland, who was representing Williams, filed the motion to withdraw because he said their attorney-client relationship has been irrevocably damaged.

McFarland filed the motion in June, but withdrew the motion during a hearing in which he, Williams, Kubit and Assistant District Attorney Mark Lope, who is prosecuting the case, discussed the matter.

This time, McFarland said it is impossible for him to continue representing Williams because Williams has made false allegations against him and insists he pursue frivolous arguments.

McFarland said Williams contends that homicide is not a legitimate criminal allegation in Pennsylvania and Williams has tried to publish attorney-client letters containing his trial strategies and other information.

McFarland called Williams actions “sabotage” and said his client is “trying to paint me as ineffective.”

Williams asked Kubit to appoint a new defense attorney after declining options to represent himself or hire an attorney.

Kubit granted McFarland’s motion to withdraw and agreed to appoint a new attorney, but he told Williams he is not permitted to choose a court-appointed attorney and he can’t continue asking for new attorneys.

According to an affidavit, Williams and Waggett were among a group of people inside a home on American Avenue when the two men got into an argument.

Waggett left, but returned, and he and Williams got into another argument. Waggett walked away, but a witness told police Williams took a gun from a woman’s purse and walked in the direction of Waggett, according to an affidavit in the case.

Waggett said something to Williams and knocked a bottle out of Williams’ hand. Williams then shot Waggett, according to the affidavit.

Williams is being held without bail in Butler County Prison.