Attempted murder case in La Crosse stalled in court again, as accused seeks fifth lawyer

The case of an attempted murder inside a storage unit in south La Crosse two years ago was stalled again in court, with the suspect needing a new defense attorney, after his most recent lawyer withdrew.

Freeman Cole is accused of trying to strangle a woman in a storage unit near Mormon Coulee Road.

The attack in October of 2023 was interrupted by witnesses, who heard screaming from the unit. Cole ran from the scene but was later arrested out of state.

The 44-year-old told the court Wednesday that he did not want to work with his latest attorney.

Records show that Cole has had five defense attorneys since his arrest, with no trial date set.

At previous hearings, he has suggested that he could defend himself on charges of attempted murder and false imprisonment.

Cole entered a plea of not guilty in La Crosse County court last fall. His next court hearing is scheduled for late June.