Judge rejects Bend murder suspect Caleb Cegers bid for new attorney, will reset trial for later this year

In a recent court hearing, Caleb Cegers' plea for a new attorney was rejected by Deschutes County Circuit Judge Beth Bagley, despite Cegers' allegations of inadequate communication and disrespect from his defense team. The 21-year-old is charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of Taylor Wyss in August 2023, an incident that has drawn considerable attention. Cegers described a "deteriorated" relationship with his attorneys, claiming they had yelled at him and made derogatory comments. However, Judge Bagley defended the qualifications of the defense team and pointed out that they had been meeting with Cegers regularly. A new trial date is expected to be set soon, with the judge stressing that it must occur within the current year.

This decision reflects the court's commitment to a timely trial process, despite Cegers' frustrations. Both Cegers and the attorneys were encouraged to start fresh in their working relationship, aiming for better communication. The ruling underscores the complexities of legal representation in serious criminal cases.