MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. – Stephen Grant appeared before a judge in Macomb County on Wednesday.
Grant, 37, is accused of murdering and dismembering his wife, Tara in February.
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Grant fired his civil attorney, Steven Donovan. Donovan was representing Grant in the case to decide whether Grant should be able to keep his parental rights. Donovan said he is not sure why Grant fired him.
This is the second attorney to part ways with Grant. Grant's initial criminal attorney, David Griem, quit right before Tara Grant's torso was found in Grant's garage.
Grant, 37, is accused of murdering and dismembering his wife, Tara in February.
Also Wednesday, Judge Deborah Brune ruled Grant can meet with Birmingham psychiatrist Gerald Scheiner while behind bars. His defense has been fighting for him to get a psychiatric evaluation for months.
Brune dismissed Grant's request to have his children, ages 4 and 6, placed in his sister's care.
Brune did not make a permanent decision in the custody for the children. She decided the Grant children will stay for now with Alecia Standerfer, Tara's sister, instead of Grant's sister, Kelly Utykanski.
Meanwhile, the advocate for the children, Melissa King, stepped down from representing them. She said she had recently gotten a full-time job that required her to close her private practices.
Stay with Local 4 and ClickOnDetroit.com for further updates on this developing story,