TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas judge has refused to move the capital murder trial of a man whose two murder convictions were thrown out earlier this year because of incompetent counsel.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports Shawnee County District Judge Richardson on Tuesday denied a motion for a change of venue for Phillip Cheatham Jr.

His attorney had argued that news stories about the case and Cheatham’s earlier defense attorney, Dennis Hawver, warranted a move to Wyandotte County.

Hawver has faced a lengthy disciplinary action tied to his handling of Cheatham’s first trial. Cheatham was found guilty in 2005 of killing two women and severely wounding a third in 2003.

The Kansas Supreme Court overturned Cheatham’s conviction in January after determining that Hawver wasn’t prepared to handle a death penalty case.