Daron Simpson has a new lawyer to go with a string of new charges stemming from the shooting of his ex-wife and her boyfriend January 24. It’s not clear yet if prosecutors will seek the death penalty in the case.

On Friday the 35-year-old St Joseph man waived formal arraignment and his right to a preliminary hearing on new charges filed this week by prosecutors, and Circuit Judge Daniel Kellogg scheduled the case for a trial setting on June 12.

Mr Simpson is now charged with first degree murder, first-degree assault, first degree burglary and two counts of armed criminal action. Prosecutors have not announced if they will seek the death penalty in the murder.

Judge Kellogg also issued an order allowing Mark Wissehr of St Joseph to withdraw from the case. Mr Simpson is now represented by Daniel Ross and Craig Divine of Kansas City.

Prosecutors say the defendant drove his vehicle through the garage door of a home north of Faucett where his ex-wife Amanda Simpson lived with her boyfriend Andrew Clary. He’s accused of going to the bedroom and shooting the pair. Mr Clary was killed. Ms Simpson suffered severe facial injuries.

Simpson is being held in the Buchanan County Jail, unable to post $75,000 bail.