A Hutchinson area man arrested back in March for allegedly manufacturing methamphetamine says he wants to hire his own attorney in the case, even though its already scheduled for next month.
Jeffrey Hamilton is scheduled for trial on charges of manufacture of methamphetamine or in the alternative attempted manufacture of meth, possession of anhydrous ammonia, lithium metal, ephedrine and drug paraphernalia all with intent to manufacture meth. He’s also charged with possession of anhydrous ammonia in an unapproved container.
In court Thursday, he told Judge Tim Chambers that he wants to hire Wichita attorney, Charlie O’Hara to represent him. He is currently represented by Public Defender Bonnie Corrado. Judge Chambers told the defendant that he has the right to hire his own attorney, but that the trial is still scheduled to begin on January 28
The case begins when the Reno County Drug Enforcement Unit served a search warrant on a property at 7101 Pony Acres Road and Hamilton was the only one present. He was allegedly in the process of making meth when the search began. Drug Unit Detective Jeremy Hedges said at the time that the cook was about three fourth of the way from being complete and ready to go through what they call the “gassing process.”
He says they found 3-to-4 ounces of a grunge material while doing the search. They also found the active ingredients to make meth, including a 40-pound tank half full of anhydrous ammonia, as well as lithium batteries and ephedrine pills. They also allegedly found some piping and packaging materials at that location.
He was allegedly using virtually the entire length of the single-wide mobile home which was located near the actual home that Hamilton was living in.
Again, the trial is scheduled to begin on January 28.