Stein's Murderer Switches Lawyers

Natavia Lowery was expected to be sentenced for the 2007 killing on Monday (22Mar10), but the hearing in New York was postponed until April (10) after her stepfather Daniel Walsh lashed out in court.

Walsh was led from the court in handcuffs and charged with contempt after expressing his anger at being unable to change his daughter's defence team.

But his wish was granted on Friday (26Mar10) when a court heard how Lowery's relatives had been making "inappropriate" and "threatening" comments to her lawyers - prompting a Manhattan judge to allow her a change in representatives.

Paul Brenner has been appointed as Lowery's new lawyer and is expected to begin work on appealing her conviction.

The 28 year old was found guilty of second-degree murder and 20 counts of stealing $30,000 (£18,750) from the Ramones manager-turned-real estate mogul in February (10) after suffering a meltdown and beating Stein to death.

She is facing a possible 25 year sentence when she returns to court next month (Apr10).