Attorneys for Ziyad Abid Seek Judge’s Removal from Blaine Whitworth Case

WARRENSBURG, Mo. (AP) — Attorneys for a Saudi national accused of hiring his roommate to kill a central Missouri bar owner have asked a state appeals court to remove the judge and release the defendant on bond as he awaits trial.

Circuit Judge Michael Wagner is scheduled to hear several motions Monday afternoon in the case of 24-year-old Ziyad Abid, who is charged in the September death of Warrensburg bar owner Blaine Whitworth.

Abid's attorneys filed a writ with the Western District appeals court Friday asking for a second time that Wagner be removed from the case. The court denied the same request in June and sent the case back to Wagner for a new bond hearing.

Defense attorneys say Wagner is violating the state constitution by not allowing Abid to bond out.