Mark David Russell, 30, is facing a first-degree murder charge after police say he killed 45-year-old Angela McLeod in her North 14th Street home on Jan. 20, 2020, following an apparent altercation that Fort Dodge Police responded to twice.

According to the police report of the incident, Russell allegedly struck McLeod at least three times with a golf club, killing her.

In May, Russell filed a motion for a new attorney, writing a letter to the Clerk of Court saying he didn’t feel his current defense attorney, Charles Kenville, had been “doing a proper job at representing me.”

In a hearing on the matter on Friday morning, District Court Judge Angela Doyle heard both Kenville and Russell describe a “complete breakdown of communication” and “irreconcilable conflict” before granting Russell’s request.

Proceedings in the case were suspended for a competency evaluation in early June, and Russell was found competent by Doyle in July. Proceedings were previously suspended for a competency evaluation on March 9, 2020. The defendant was later found competent and proceedings resumed on May 29, 2020.

Russell had also previously requested a new attorney in June 2020.

The State Public Defender’s Office Special Defense Unit out of Des Moines has been appointed to represent Russell going forward.

Russell’s jury trial has been scheduled for March 1, 2022.