St. Junious set for summer trial, for La Crosse stabbing death from six years ago

The defendant in a 2019 murder in La Crosse will be tried next month, even though he says he’s not ready for a trial.

Anquin St. Junious says he would like to represent himself at the trial scheduled to begin on June 9th, because he can’t afford to hire a defense lawyer. Judge Ramona Gonzalez said in court on Thursday that an attorney is assigned to the case for now, and the trial will move ahead as scheduled.

St. Junious is charged with reckless homicide, for allegedly stabbing Virgil Stewart during an argument in a parked taxi on 7th Street in January of 2019. The trial has been delayed repeatedly, partly because St. Junious has had problems finding a defense attorney.

The 45-year-old St. Junious says he’s trying to get enough money to hire a lawyer. He reportedly turned down a proposed settlement this year, and claims he’s being “railroaded” by the court.