By Adam Studzinski

BLOOMINGTON – A motion filed to disqualify Kirk Zimmerman’s attorney has been continued to late next month.

Zimmerman, 56, is accused of killing his ex-wife Pamela Zimmerman at her office in November 2014. He was arrested in July and charged with one count of first degree murder.

The motion argues defense attorney Stephanie Wong be dismissed because her and other lawyers in her firm represented potential witnesses during the early stages of the investigation.

“We don’t want to have a situation where 10 years from now there’s a post conviction petition alleging that there was a conflict with his attorney that led to an effect of assistance of counsel,” McLean County State’s Attorney Jason Chambers said.

Chambers said the defense wants time to bring in an outside attorney to handle the motion in the event Wong is called to the stand while the motion is being argued.

“The hearing is going to have to go into the nature of the relationship with the other parties,” said Chambers. “It’s not just a matter of representation of Kirk Zimmerman; it’s their representation of other individuals who are related to this case.”

McLean County Judge Scott Drazewski on Tuesday granted a motion to continue the matter to Sep. 24.

The defense has also filed a motion to reduce Zimmerman’s bond. Drazewski ruled that motion will not be taken up until the motion to disqualify has been settled.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].