Brian Krebs to Get New Defense Lawyer

Krebs, before jail.

​The prisoner in the striped jumpsuit dozed off as he waited for his turn before the judge.

That man, Brian Krebs, is accused of stabbing to death beloved drummer/promoter Jimmy Pagano -- and knifing four others who tried to stop him -- during a fight over a bar tab at Fishtales.

He was back in court Monday morning to get a new lawyer.

If convicted, Krebs could spend the rest of his life in prison.

Krebs listened to the proceedings patiently, nodding and clasping his cuffed hands.

It was clear, though, that two months in county lockup have taken their toll on the rumored party animal.

In his pre-arrest photos, Krebs was clean-shaven, bordering between muscular and meaty. 

But during the April incident, Krebs was physically subdued by Fishtales patrons, who left him with two black eyes, a swollen jaw, and a cut on his cheek.

Krebs -- who some feared might die from the beating -- had to be hospitalized for two days before getting booked into jail.

​In court today, Krebs was bearded and gaunt -- more Raskolnikov than Stifler. 

McCarthy did wind up reassigning Krebs to the regional conflict counsel -- lawyers who work specifically on cases that can't be handled by the public defender. Krebs thanked her. He told the judge that he "hoped" he'd have a lawyer set by the end of the day.

Krebs' next court date is scheduled for late July.