Family members remembered Elizabeth Obrecht, 14, of West Frankfort, while sitting in the Franklin County Courthouse in Benton Thursday afternoon.

Wearing T-shirts with her photo and distributing photos of her taken in 2008 at a family outing at Benton Community Park, family members were silent during the court proceedings.

Austin Lee Sandefur sat in shackles and did not make eye contact as Judge Thomas J. Tedeschi acknowledged those in the courtroom.

Sandefur, 16, of West Frankfort is accused in the May 5 shooting death of Obrecht.

Sandefur’s attorney, Eric Dirnbeck, said he filed a motion for discovery on June 17 and returned to the courthouse to file a motion to withdraw from the case on July 1, citing a conflict of interest. Dirnbeck is representing Sandefur’s brother in an unrelated juvenile case.

Dirnbeck said names continue to be added to the discovery list.

“At least one or more names have been added to the list,” he said. “I can pick out at least one that I have represented. I am calling for a delay to see if the names could cause a conflict of interest and want to amend a motion to include others.”

State’s attorney Tom Dinn said he anticipates additional reports to be filed in the case.
During Thursday’s pre-trial conference, Tedeschi said the original pre-trial and jury trial dates would be changed.

Asking Sandefur if he understood, Tedeschi asked him if he had talked with Dirnbeck about waiving the 120-day speedy trial.

“You can waive your right to a speedy trial,” Tedeschi said. “The attorney can do that for you. You have indicated that you want to give up your right to a trial within 120 days.”

Sandefur agreed to waive his right.

Tedeschi set a pre-trial hearing for 1:30 p.m. Aug. 20.