A St. Joseph man appeared in court Friday on upgraded charges stemming from the shooting of two men last year.

Owen Roberts, 33 is now charged with two class-a felony counts of first-degree assault and two counts of armed criminal action. He faces decades in prison if convicted on charges stemming from the shootings of Ricky Snedden and Terry Lee Madewell. As we reported, the shooting happened May 15, 2016  in the area of 924 Prospect Ave. The victims sustained serious injuries in the shootings.

Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Joshua Bachman told the judge the original case filed last year will soon be dismissed in favor of the new complaint filed earlier this week. Bachman told the judge that the defendant insists on taking the case to trial, so they’ve refiled with enhanced charges.

Roberts on Friday told Associate Circuit Judge Keith Marquart that he had complained five times about ineffective legal counsel. Judge Marquart said no such complaints had been received in his court, and that such complaints are typically considered after a case is resolved. Online court records do show five letters written to Circuit Judge Patrick Robb, the judge in the original case.

Judge Marquart advised Roberts to apply for a public defender. Marquart scheduled the new case for preliminary hearing June 30 at 11 am, and scheduled a counsel-status check next week. The judge continues to deny bail.

Roberts is being held without bail in the Buchanan County Jail.