Judge Phimister Replaces Attorney in Swanson Murder Case

Andrew Sanford, the man accused of killing a teenage gas station attendant in South Lake Tahoe more than 30 years ago, got a new attorney this week.

Deputy Public Defender Clifford Safranski asked El Dorado County Superior Court Judge Douglas Phimister to relieve him as Sanford's attorney during a Monday hearing in Placerville, saying the El Dorado County Public Defender's Office has a potential conflict of interest.

The office is representing a witness in the case who has confidential information that may be detrimental to Sanford, Safranski told Phimister.

Following the request, Phimister appointed attorney Erik Schlueter to represent Sanford.

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http://www.tahoedailytribune.com/article/20120417/ARCHIVES01/120419910/

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