T-L Photo/ ROBERT A. DEFRANK Rudolph Richard Galberth was in court Tuesday and may have new representation. He is accused of murder in the shooting of his wife.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The Brookside man accused of the shooting murder of his wife may be getting new representation from the state and a possible change in trial dates.

Rudolph Richard Galberth, 37, of 11 Driggs Lane, appeared Tuesday in Belmont County Common Pleas Court. Attorneys from the Belmont County Prosecutor’s office and Public Defender’s office had a private conference with Judge John Vavra. No action was taken, but Vavra’s office confirmed that Galberth is requesting new council.

Galberth is being represented by the county public defender’s office. Vavra said the details of Galberth’s request could not be released, but said Galberth is asking for representation from the Ohio Public Defender’s office.

“He’s asking for someone else to be appointed,” he said. “He actually asked for the state public defender.”

Vavra said he intends to make a decision within a few days. He also said if he appoint the state defender or another attorney, it could necessitate rescheduling Galberth’s trial if a new attorney needs more time to prepare the case. The trial date is set now for Dec. 11.

Galberth had appeared in court in August to ask that his then-September trial date be continued to allow the Belmont County Public Defender’s office more time to review evidence.

The Brookside man is accused of aggravated murder with a firearm specification for allegedly shooting and killing his wife, Amy Butler, 37, in the driveway of their residence in the early hours of June 15. According to law enforcement, authorities and first responders arrived at the residence after neighbors reported the sound of gunfire. Butler was reportedly found dead in her driveway with multiple gunshot wounds.

Galberth was arrested later the same day without incident on Interstate 77 near New Philadelphia.

He also is charged with having weapons under disability, which means he had weapons when he was not legally allowed to possess them.

If convicted, Galberth faces a life sentence, and the firearm specification could mean an additional three years would be added to that. He is considered to be having weapons “under disability” because he was on parole for a previous crime for which he was convicted in West Virginia. The disability charge also could add three years to the sentence.

Law enforcement officials said they believe the incident began as a domestic dispute that apparently escalated to physical violence and the shooting.

Galberth remains at the Belmont County Jail in lieu of $1 million bond.