A man accused of murdering his former girlfriend in Roane County returned to court Wednesday, where he was appointed his fourth attorney in the case.

Officials charged Shawn Smoot with first-degree murder in the 2011 death of Brook Morris. She was his former employee and girlfriend.

Roane County deputies said Ms. Morris was shot several times. Her body was found lying near the intersection of Blair and Old Blair roads in Roane County. The 23-year-old mother left behind a 3-year-old son.

The victim’s mother, Tina Gregg, said she’s frustrated with the court system.

“It is delay after delay. It is bond – him skipping bond, him running – it’s been the whole process from day one,” said Gregg. “Every time I come down to court, I’m bombarded with some kind of ordeal taking place and the very last minute that’s going to set us back even farther. I’m so tired of it. A person can only take so much, and I’m there. I’ve been there.”

In the past three years, Smoot has been in and out of jail. When he didn’t turn himself in back in 2011, authorities tracked him down in Mississippi. A judge later released him on bond.

In spring 2013, officials arrested Smoot in McMinn County for DUI. Again, he was released on bond.

A month later, U.S. Marshalls found Smoot in a mental hospital in Chattanooga.

And Wednesday he was back in court to get a new attorney. This is his fourth in this case.

Smoot’s third attorney, Tom Slaughter, told the judge he had a conflict of interest and could no longer represent Smoot. The court could not say what that conflict was.

District attorney general Russell Johnson said they don’t know when Smoot will get a new court date.