PORTAGE, Wis. -- A drifter accused in the slaying of a member of his gang and the abuse of an 11-year-old boy in Portage a year ago filed a motion for a new attorney, but that request was denied Tuesday by a Columbia County judge.

The trial for Michael Sisk, 26, is set to begin Monday on charges that he helped kill Tammie Garlin and abused Garlin's 11-year-old son.

Three adults were charged in connection with the abuse and slaying at the Portage house. Columbia County District Attorney Jane Kohlwey said that Sisk, along with his girlfriend, Candace Clark, 24, were the leaders of the group of drifters.

In June, Clark pleaded no contest to second-degree reckless homicide, reduced from being party to first-degree intentional homicide, and no contest to intentionally contributing to the delinquency of a child.

The fact that Clark pleaded no contest to some charges cannot be used against Sisk, WISC-TV reported. Clark is facing up to 129 years in prison when she is sentenced.

Another member of the group Michaela Clerc, 21, was accused of helping whip and burn the 11-year-old boy. She also was accused of helping stuff him in a closet naked and malnourished. Clerc pleaded no contest to child abuse and false imprisonment charges in March. Kohlwey dropped homicide counts against Clerc in November, saying that she couldn't prove Clerc took part in the killing.