Monroe Lockhart

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) -- A former Topeka convenience store partner charged in a break in and beating, gets more time to find an attorney.

Monroe Lockhart appeared in court without counsel on Wednesday (6/13). Lockhart told Judge Mark Braun he was waiting for a Kansas Supreme Court ruling on a motion to stay the proceedings, and a motion to reinstate Billy Rork as Lockhart's attorney.

Braun told Lockhart he'd been in contact with the Supreme Court, and said Lockhart's requests had been denied.

Braun rescheduled Lockhart's preliminary hearing to June 27th, saying if no council was hired by then, that Lockhart would represent himself.

Prosecutors say Lockhart entered a woman's southeast Topeka home last November, beat her and ordered her burned with a knife.

Co-defendant Jacob Barnett, pleaded guilty to all six charges, including aggravated burglary and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Charges were dropped against a third man, Anthony Talbert.

Lockhart was the managing partner of the former Mo's Express Convenience Store in Hudson Crossing.

The developer of the property, Corey Brown, was found dead in January. No one has been charged in his death.