ALTUS - The man accused in the brutal stabbing death of Billy Wilson in January 2005 at a Main Street motel has been appointed his third attorney in the case and a jury trial is anticipated for the next spring docket.

Oklahoma City attorney Larry Monard, who was recently appointed as attorney of record for Andrew Williams, 43, of 1809 Huff in Wichita Falls, Texas, was granted a continuance in the case on Sept. 7 by Associate District Judge Clark Huey, and attorneys in the case will meet for review on Nov. 20 to set a firm date for trial, possibly in April, said First Assistant District Attorney Ken Darby.

“I can understand the judge putting it off, because it's a serious case,” Darby said.

Williams had most recently been defended by Oklahoma Indigent Defense System attorney Albert J. Hoch Jr., who was appointed Aug. 21, 2006, to replace Williams' former OIDS attorney Diane Box.

Williams has been jailed in the case since March 25, 2005, by Wichita Falls police, who had been notified of a warrant for his arrest issued in Jackson County District Court. He is charged with murder in the first degree after two former felony convictions. The crime is punishable by death, imprisonment for life or imprisonment for life without parole.

On Sept. 13, 2005, Williams entered a plea of not guilty to the crime.

Wilson, 58, was found dead the morning of Jan. 18, 2005, of multiple stab wounds in room 105 of the Budget Inn, 510 1/2 N. Main St., by housekeeper Bina Patel. He had been stabbed 76 times.