CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The prosecutor in the case of two Chicago men charged in the shooting death of a central Illinois sheriff’s deputy said he is challenging the appointment of a judge slated to hear the trial.

Douglas County State’s Attorney Kevin Nolan said he wants another judge to hear the case of William B. Thompson, 26, and Yusef Kareem Brown, 23, who are charged with murder and several other crimes on June 21 that included the shooting of Douglas County Chief Deputy Tommy Martin.

Last week, Nolan said he planned to seek the death penalty.

DeWitt County Judge Steve Peters was appointed after the cases’ original judge, Douglas County Circuit Judge Michael Carroll, recused himself because of his relationship with Martin. Carroll also was not qualified to hear death penalty cases.

Nolan gave no reason for his substitution request, which is allowed under state law.

So Judge John Shonkwiler will chose another death-penalty-qualified judge from six counties falling under the 6th circuit.

Nolan’s decision also means Thompson and Brown will receive new attorneys because the two public defenders appointed to represent them are not considered qualified for death-penalty cases by the state Supreme Court.

Authorities said the day-long crime spree began when Brown and Thompson allegedly fled a traffic stop on Interstate 57. Then the two allegedly robbed a house, stealing a truck and van before one of them shot Martin as they drove past him.

Authorities claim the suspects abandoned the truck and drove away in the van.

Police arrested Brown after a high-speed chase. Thompson went into the First Mid-Illinois Bank and Trust in Arcola and took several hostages, police said.

Brown released the hostages over seven hours before peacefully leaving the bank with the last hostage.

Chicago police have said they’ve questioned Thompson and Brown about the stabbing death of Arnie Graves, 40, whose body was found in his South Side condominium on June 21. Authorities have said the vehicle Brown and Thompson were driving when they were first pulled over in Douglas County was registered to Graves.

No one has been arrested or charged in Graves’ death, said Chicago police spokesman Tom Polick, adding the investigation of the case is ongoing.