Associated Press Published

Hearing for Texas Suspect Postponed

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A preliminary hearing in West Virginia for a Texas man charged in a shootout with police has been postponed.

Greenbrier County prosecutor Patrick Via says Wednesday’s hearing was cancelled after the county public defender’s office asked to withdraw from the case. A new hearing date hasn’t been set.

Via says the Raleigh County public defender’s office will represent 21-year-old Eric Alexander Campbell of Alvin, Texas.

Campbell is charged in West Virginia with attempted murder of a police officer and malicious assault of a police officer. His father, 54-year-old Edward Campbell of Alvin, faces similar charges.

State police say the Campbells were involved in a shootout with two Lewisburg officers on New Year’s Day during a traffic stop. Both men also are suspects in the deaths of a North Carolina couple.