John Myers fires lawyer, claims innocence

John Myers II has severed ties with his former defense attorney Patrick Baker and has filed a request for a public defender, said his mother, Jodie Myers. \nJohn Myers II, who was found guilty last year in the 2000 slaying of IU sophomore Jill Behrman, is currently serving a 65-year sentence. \nSince the conviction, Jodie Myers has attempted to exonerate her son. The request for a public defender Monday comes as the case begins to garner more attention as his mother continues to proclaim John's innocence. "We feel that a new attorney is in (John's) best interest," Jodie Myers said. \nShe also said John believed a new lawyer could send the case in "a new direction." \n"This was John's decision to make," Jodie Myers said. "We support him 100 percent." \nStill, Baker said he "knows" the reason he was fired was not due to any shortcomings by the defense, but rather by financial concerns within the Myers' family. \n"I just know that is the reason," Baker said, referring to what he believes to be the family's financial reasons for seeking a public defender. \nTrying to dispel any notion that hiring a public defender was a sign that the defense was slumping into post-trial retreat, Jodie Myers said the situation was exactly the opposite. \n"We see this as a renewal of our efforts," she said, adding that she was hopeful about what a new attorney could bring to the case. \n"When I took the paperwork over (to the Morgan County Courthouse) I prayed over it first," Jodie Myers said. "We are committing all of this to God"