A Springfield attorney is defending himself, accused of several crimes.

Adam Woody faces two counts of witness tampering and one count of perjury, all felonies, all of Butler County, Mo. Woody's attorney denies any wrongdoing.

Woody represented Michael Amick in a retrial of a murder case in 2016 out of Oregon County. A judge sentenced Amick in 2011 to a life sentence for killing his grandmother-in-law,. However, a judge granted him a new trial. Investigators say during a pre-trial hearing in 2016, an inmate testified another man confessed to him about the murder. He also testified he had not received payment for his testimony. But records showed payments from both Amick's family and Woody to the inmate totaling $1,000. The charges indicate Woody not only paid a witness, but knew he was putting someone on the stand who would not tell the truth.

It is unfortunate that these charges, which are based upon statements made by convicted felons and in one instance a 4 time convicted murderer, would result in criminal charges against an outstanding member of the legal community. Carver speculated that Woody's success in the courtroom in a hotly contested murder case leading to the acquittal of his client may have led to the state's interest in bringing charges against Woody.

Wood's attorney Thomas Carver says his client vehemently denies any wrongdoing and looks forward to establishing his innocence in court. He released this statement:

"It is unfortunate that these charges, which are based upon statements made by convicted felons and in one instance a 4-time convicted murderer, would result in criminal charges against an outstanding member of the legal community. Carver speculated that Woody's success in the courtroom in a hotly contested murder case leading to the acquittal of his client may have led to the state's interest in bringing charges against Woody."

Woody is scheduled to be in court at the end of this month in Butler County.

Michael Amick is facing the same charges as Woody, perjury and two counts of tampering with a witness. James Higdon faces one count each of perjury and tampering with a witness.