David Harold Eastman has parted ways with yet another legal representative, just three days after the inquiry into his conviction began hearing evidence.
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Eastman, who is serving life for the 1989 murder of the ACT's police chief Colin Winchester, is renowned for splitting with his lawyers.
Paul Willee, QC, was Eastman's current senior counsel, his third since the inquiry was ordered by Acting Justice Shane Marshall in September last year.
But Mr Willee informed the inquiry on Wednesday morning that he was seeking leave to withdraw from the case.
He gave no reason for the move.
Mr Willee's counsel assisting, Mark Griffin, QC, has taken over as Eastman's senior counsel.
Eastman spoke to the inquiry via an audio link from the territory's prison, saying he had complete confidence in Mr Griffin, and would leave the case in his "capable hands".
The change of lawyers will again delay the progress of the inquiry, the latest in a series of issues that have frustrated proceedings.
Time will be needed to hand over the case to Mr Griffin, and the cross-examination of several witnesses has already been deferred for some time.
Eastman was expected to oppose any adjournment of proceedings, but changed his mind after Mr Griffin told the inquiry he would need more time.
He told the inquiry Mr Griffin appeared to be underestimating his own skill, saying he thought his new lawyer had the ability to cross-examine witnesses without the need for any delay.
Mr Griffin joked he had not often been accused of underestimating his own skill.
The inquiry - ordered after fresh doubt was raised about Eastman's conviction - then heard further evidence from former ACT prosecutor Jennifer Ann Woodward.
Ms Woodward was the prosecutor who led the Crown's case against Eastman at trial in 1995.
She told the inquiry on Wednesday morning that she had been concerned for her safety.
The former prosecutor - now a military judge - remembered receiving phone calls in the early hours of the morning, in which she heard only heavy breathing through the receiver.
Ms Woodward said a trace was put on her phone, but it could not pinpoint the specific origin of the calls.
She later had a block put on the phone.
Ms Woodward said there had been nothing to directly link the calls with Eastman.
The inquiry is looking at the circulation of several mental health reports on Eastman - compiled by Dr Rod Milton - to various court staff in the lead-up to his trial.
Ms Woodward said she remembered the Director of Public Prosecutions had received a Milton report, which she said was discussed in the context of trying to have Eastman's bail revoked.
The changes to Eastman's legal team have forced the cross-examination of Ms Woodward to occur at a later date.
Acting Justice Brian Martin apologised to her for the inconvenience, to which she replied there had been "six months of it".
The inquiry is expected to hear evidence from a new witness on Thursday.
