A new attorney for accused panty thief Sung Koo Kim appeared at a hearing in Benton County Circuit Court Wednesday morning.

Clayton Lance of Portland is the fifth attorney to represent Kim, who faces charges of burglary, theft, encouraging child sex abuse and possession of child pornography in four northwest Oregon counties.

Kim is accused of going into college dormitories and apartment laundry facilities and stealing women's underwear and clothing.

For several months Kim was named by police as a "person of interest" in the abduction of 19-year-old Brooke Wilberger, who disappeared May 24, 2004. Another man, Joel Courtney of New Mexico, has been charged with Wilberger's murder.

Portland attorney Des Connall withdrew from Kim's case at the end of May for undisclosed reasons, including "significant" possible conflicts of interest.

A court-appointed attorney was then assigned the case. Lance informed Benton County Circuit Court on Wednesday that he has been retained by Kim's family.

Wednesday's hearing focused on scheduling. Kim's trial in Benton County has been postponed to Feb. 6.

Lance indicated to the court that he would be interested in plea negotiations.

"I always embrace settlement conferences," he said.