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Cameo Night Club shooting suspect may get new attorney due to conflict of interest

Posted at 12:20 PM, Apr 28, 2017
and last updated 2017-04-28 12:20:37-04

CINCINNATI -- The man accused of fatally shooting two people and injuring 15 others at Cameo Night Club on March 26 may get a different attorney due to a conflict of interest.

Cornell Beckley, 27, was originally charged with one count of murder for the death of 27-year-old O’Bryan Spikes. Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters announced a second count of murder for the death of 29-year-old Deondre Davis, who had also been charged in Spikes' death. Charges against Davis were dropped after his death.

Beckley’s attorney, Clyde Bennett, said in court Friday he is “pretty confident” he will be off the case.

“I don't think I'm going to representing Mr. Beckley any longer as a result of another client potentially testifying against Mr. Beckley,” Bennett said.

Bennett said he is representing another person who is scheduled to testify against Beckley.

“You can't represent two clients in the same proceeding when their interests are adversarial to each other,” Bennett said.

Beckley pleaded not guilty to 38 chargesin court on April 10. If convicted of all charges, he faces a life sentence – or 230 years in prison.

“What I am attempting to do is to make certain the transition for young Mr. Beckley is a smooth one and he is in the hands of a very capable and effective lawyer,” Bennett said.

Bennett said in court on March 31 that he thinks the case against Beckley is “fundamentally weak,” arguing that it would be difficult to tell who fired the fatal shots.

MORE: Attorney of Cameo shooting suspect says case against his client is ‘weak'

Bennett also said Beckley voluntarily talked to police, and he has denied being involved.

Bennett will be back in court on May 9 to determine if he will represent Beckley.

Beckley's trial is set to begin at 9 a.m. May 30.A judge issued a $1.7 million bond against Beckleyin court on March 31 — $100,000 for each of the victims.

For more coverage on the Cameo Night Club shooting, visit WCPO.com/Cameo. Police ask anyone with information in the nightclub shooting to contact Crime Stoppers at 513-352-3040.