STOCKTON - A 20-year-old Stockton man charged with two murders dismissed his attorneys Monday, including one highly regarded for handling high-profile capital murder cases.

Percy Lamonte Camel faces a potential death sentence on charges he shot two men in separate incidents within three months. Camel and his attorneys met in private with the judge to discuss their difficulties.

After the closed hearing, San Joaquin County Superior Court Judge George Abdallah said he ruled in favor of Camel, relieving the two attorneys of the case. The judge did not say why Camel wanted new counsel or why he granted Camel's request.

Camel had been represented by San Joaquin County Chief Deputy Public Defender Miriam Lyell, who recently brought on San Francisco attorney Michael Burt to help her.

Burt has led or assisted in the defenses of Lyle Menendez, Charles Ng, Richard Ramirez and Cary Stayner. Recently, he assisted in the defense of Melissa Huckaby of Tracy.

For her part, Lyell last year defended an emergency room doctor of charges that he stole a dead patient's Rolex watch. A jury exonerated him.

Camel is charged with the Dec. 1, 2009, slaying of Roberto Hernandez, 21, at Amsterdam Place and Skyline Drive. He also is charged with the Feb. 7, 2010, killing of Francisco Bernardino, 24, at Mariposa and Farmington roads.

Upon dismissing the two attorneys, Abdallah assigned private Stockton attorney Lance Jacot to represent Camel. Walking into court, Jacot held a hushed meeting with Camel, who indicated he accepted Jacot.

Camel returns to court April 20.

Contact reporter Scott Smith at (209) 546-8296 or ssmith@recordnet.com. Visit his blog at recordnet.com/smithblog.

Stockton criminal defense attorney Lance Jacot has represented defendants accused of serious crimes for over a decade.  He is qualified to handle the most serious type of cases, including capital homicide cases.  If you need the services of a highly qualified and dedicated criminal defense attorney in Stockton, CA then contact attorney Lance Jacot at the Jacot Law Firm for a free consultation.

Stockton attorney Lance Jacot can be reached 24 hours a day at (209) 463-1800 or through his website at www.Jacotlawfirm.com or email at LJacot@Jacotlawfirm.com.