BY JIMMY LAWTON
North Country This Week

CANTON — Accused murder Michael Snow will once again be represented by the St. Lawrence County Public Defender's Office for the killing of SUNY Potsdam student Elizabeth Howell.

St. Lawrence County District Attorney Gary Pasqua confirmed that approval was granted Monday.

At a February appearance Snow sought permission to represent himself, which was granted by County Court Judge Craig P. Carriero.

“The Court found the defendant's demeanor to be appropriate and non-disruptive. The Court finds that the defendant has knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily requested to represent himself and, accordingly, grants that request,” Carriero said at that time.

Snow, though, has since changed his mind and will now have formal attorney representation.

In an earlier twist in the Snow case, St. Lawrence County Court Judge Greg Storie recused himself from the trial.

That decision came after concerns were raised by officials from the public defenders and district attorneys offices.

In court documents obtained by North Country This Week, Storie said “counsel has questioned my impartiality in this matter.”

According to the documents, Storie had the option to decline to disclose his reasoning for recusal but chose to not exercise the right. However, his office did not wish to provide further comment on the matter.

St. Lawrence County District Attorney Gary Pasqua said that both he and the public defender shared the concerns, but would not elaborate further due to the upcoming trial and the case being an ongoing matter.

Snow stands accused of murdering SUNY Potsdam student Elizabeth Howell, 21, on Feb. 18, 2022.

Howell, a student who was from Patterson, was found on College Park Road near SUNY Potsdam with multiple gunshot wounds shortly before 6 p.m last February.

Snow was then arraigned in St. Lawrence County Court on April 22, 2022. He pleaded not guilty to all charges. He faces life in prison if found guilty.

Snow was held without bail following the arraignment after District Attorney Gary Pasqua cited the "random act of violence," as well as the use of a firearm as two primary concerns for remanding Snow.

Storie opted to remand Snow without bail, despite recent bail reform laws that have loosened restrictions for remanding suspects to jail. Pasqua had said there were "numerous considerations that supersede the bail reforms" set forth by New York State.