Lazcano again waives

Daniel Lazcano, 22, again waived his speedy trial rights following the rejection Friday of a plea bargain agreement which could have sent him to prison for up to 27 months on a conviction of second degree manslaughter.

At the end of Friday’s session, Judge David Frazier slated a hearing for Aug. 30 to allow the state and Defense Attorney Eric Christianson to determine a course of action. Options could be revision of the plea bargain or scheduling a third trial on the murder and kidnapping charges Lazcano, now 22, still faces after juries in his first two trials were unable to reach a verdict.

Judge Frazier noted at the end of the hearing Friday he anticipates a third trial would have to be moved out of Whitman County because seating an impartial jury here for a third trial will be difficult.

Christianson Friday also filed a claim for fees and reimbursement of expenses and mileage totaling $24,232. The claim said he spent more than 183 hours representing Lazcano in the second trial and other members of his staff spent more than 212 hours.

Christianson was appointed by the court to represent Daniel Lazcano March 13. He represented Lazcano at his first trial and was paid by Lazcano’s family. Christianson at the time said he agreed to take the case initially with proceeds from a fund raiser.