A man accused of killing a Sheffield police officer and a longtime friend two years ago has fired both of his attorneys.

Brian Lansing Martin, 43, is charged with capital murder in the Oct. 1, 2021 slayings of Sgt. Nick Risner, an eight-year veteran of Sheffield police, and William Mealback Jr., who was shot and dumped from his own car prior to a chase and gunfight.

In a handwritten letter to Colbert County Circuit Judge Mitchell Hays dated Oct. 8, Martin states he terminated the services of both Rebecca Thomason and Edwin Beason for “ineffective assistance of counsel.”

“There are several issues pertaining to my defense that urgently need to be addressed by the court,” the letter states. “Repeated requests for my previous counsel to address these issues have been refused. I am requesting a hearing so that I can advise the court of my concerns.”

Martin is also charged with attempted murder from the wounding of Sheffield Lt. Max Dotson. Last year he pleaded not guilty and not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect.

According to Mealback’s family, Martin, a longtime friend, was driving the man to assist him after a surgical procedure. Police believe the two got into an argument prior to the shooting. It was the discovery of Mealback’s body that touched off the pursuit that resulted in Risner’s death.

Martin pleaded guilty to manslaughter in 2013 in the May 11, 2011, shooting death of his father, Donice Scott, during a struggle outside Scott’s Tuscumbia home. He received a 10-year sentence at the time but was released after about three years in prison, in May 2016, according to court records.