LISBON — There’s a new trial date Sept. 23 and a new defense attorney in the case against Jeno Wall, who’s charged with aggravated murder and other charges in the Sept. 9, 2024 shooting death of 30-year-old Robert E. Herron.

Wall, 34, of Steubenville, was scheduled to face a jury trial next week, but his defense attorney Charley Kidder requested more time to review everything since he was just assigned to the case.

Columbiana County Common Pleas Court Judge Megan Bickerton granted his request Monday during a status hearing. She appointed him to replace defense attorney James Wise, who cited a conflict. Wall is also represented by defense attorney Joe King.

In his motion to withdraw as counsel, Wise noted that he currently represents another person at the scene of the alleged offense, resulting in a direct conflict of interest.

Other new dates set in the case include an interim status hearing at 9 a.m. July 7 and a final status hearing at 9:20 a.m. Sept. 5.

Wall remains jailed under a $1 million cash or surety bond and was accompanied by sheriff’s deputies and Sheriff Brian McLaughlin in the courtroom.

The prosecution was represented by county Assistant Prosecutors Tammie Riley Jones and Chris Weeda.

Charges against Wall include unclassified felonies of aggravated murder and murder and third-degree felony intimidation of an attorney, victim or witness in a criminal case, along with firearm specifications for allegedly using a firearm to cause Herron’s death.

According to county Prosecutor Vito Abruzzino, he could face life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted of aggravated murder. He could face a mandatory three years for each of the two firearm specifications.

For the aggravated murder count, the indictment alleges that Wall “did purposely, and with prior calculation and design, cause the death of another, to wit: Robert E. Herron.” The murder count alleges that he purposely caused the death.

Abruzzino said previously that the intimidation charge stemmed from alleged actions by Wall following the shooting.

When the indictment was issued in December, a press release from Abruzzino and Wellsville Police Chief Ed Wilson said, “Shortly after 11:30 p.m. on Sept. 9, 2024, officers from the Wellsville Police Department responded to a call of possible shots fired on Tenth Street. Officers found Herron fatally wounded behind a residential garage.”

Members of Herron’s family were in the courtroom for the status hearing.

In a related matter, a status hearing remains set for 3:30 p.m. April 17 in the case against Brandon Kessler, 41, 10th Street, Wellsville, who’s charged with third-degree felony obstructing justice related to the murder case.

He’s accused of lying to police during the investigation into Herron’s shooting death. Abruzzino said previously regarding Kessler that “he was definitely not truthful in some of the statements he gave to investigators,” adding that “he fabricated events.”

Police apparently talked to Kessler on Sept. 10, 2024, the date listed on the indictment, which is one day after the homicide. His bond was set at $50,000 cash or surety.

His case is in the courtroom of county Common Pleas Court Judge Scott Washam. He’s represented by defense attorney Terry Grenga.

mgreier@mojonews.com