A third defense attorney has asked to be taken off the case of Harvey Updyke, the man accused of poisoning the oak trees at Toomer's Corner.

Jerry Blevins of Montgomery filed a motion Tuesday to be taken off the case, saying he had "irreconcilable differences" with Updyke. Blevins said he withdrew because of a conflict that arose this past weekend but wouldn't offer specifics.

"I probably can't comment on it any more than just some differences arose that mandated my withdrawal from the case," Blevins said.

Blevins asked the court to delay a March 2 preliminary hearing in District Court of Lee County until Updyke can get new counsel.

He is the third attorney to ask off the case. Jerry Hauser filed a motion Tuesday morning to withdraw, citing a conflict of interest. His wife, Dr. Margaret Fitch-Hauser, is the head of the Department of Communications and Journalism at Auburn University.

Updyke's first appointed attorney, Philip Tyler, was granted a similar removal from the case last Friday because of numerous personal and family ties to the school.

Updyke was released from Lee County Detention Center last Friday on $50,000 bond.

And here's more from an AP story today that outlines some of the treatments taking place on the tree.