The former student accused of threatening to create a massacre on campus is set to appear in court on March 22, after being assigned a new public defender in court today.

Deputy Public Defender Kathy Mendez has taken over for Vanessa Johnson, the previous defense attorney, for the 36-year-old James Lemus, a former El Camino student.

Mendez needs time to get familiar with the case and submitted a 1050, which is a form to waive time for the defense.

Lemus has been in custody since 2014, and assigned Judge T K Herman, questioned both attorneys about the length of the case.

He asked for the reasons why the case has continued, and deputy district attorney Patrick O’Crowley explained to him that Lemus was labelled incompetent at an earlier date.

“The Union” approached Mendez following the hearing, and was given her name and position. She was speaking to Lemus’ mother outside the courtroom.

Mendez is Lemus’ third defense attorney since being in custody:

• Jonathan Cruz, the first public defender, was changed after a shift in his office on Aug. 31, 2015.
• Vanessa Johnson, the second public defender, took over on Aug. 31, 2015 and was was replaced on March 8.
• Kathy Mendez, the current public defender, has taken over for Johnson and is now hoping to get the case resolved quickly.