Hamilton stabbing death: Sixth attorney appointed to represent man accused in 2022 homicide

A Montgomery County attorney has been appointed to represent Toby Madden, who is accused of stabbing his longtime girlfriend to death in Hamilton in October 2022. He is the is sixth attorney to represent the defendant.

Madden’s trial, which was set to begin Jan. 22 in Butler County Common Pleas Court, was cancelled after he allegedly made threats to assault his last defense attorney, Brad Kraemer, and Judge Jennifer McElfresh allowed Kraemer to withdraw.

ExploreTrial canceled for man accused in 2022 stabbing death after alleged threat against attorney

The 51-year-old is charged with murder and felonious assault for allegedly killing Rachelle Brewsbaugh at their Parrish Avenue house. Brewsaugh suffered more than 50 wounds, according to prosecutors.

ExploreButler County judge rejects accused killer’s attempt to represent himself

Because Madden was represented at one point by the county public defender office, a “conflict attorney” not a part of the public defender office must be appointed to represent Madden.

All the conflict attorneys on the list in Butler County have been appointed and withdrawn from Madden’s case. So the search continued to find a new attorney for Madden.

Attorney Lucas Wilder was appointed last week to represent Madden, according to court documents. Wilder declined comment on the case when contacted by the Journal-News.

A new pretrial hearing had not yet been set Thursday in the case.

McElfresh recently denied Madden’s request to represent himself after the defendant said multiple times he was being “compelled” to act as his own counsel.

The judge also noted at prior hearing four prior attorneys had been assigned to Madden’s case, and the defendant had problems with all of them, including one who was retained.

ExploreHamilton man charged in girlfriend’s death fails to hire 5th attorney, so one appointed