Joran van der Sloot's Peruvian Lawyer Quits, Fears for His Life

LIMA, Peru (CBS/AP) As the case against Joran van der Sloot for the murder of Stephany Flores heats up, his attorney is running for the hills.

Maximo Altez, van der Sloot's Peruvian attorney who was hired by the family, says that since taking the case he has received numerous calls and e-mails from angry citizens.

PICTURES: Joran van der Sloot
PICTURES: Stephany Flores

"I've received threats, many threatening e-mails. I'm an older person. This isn't for me," Altez, 54, said Tuesday.

The murder has caused outrage ever since Stephany's body was discovered in van der Sloot's hotel room, prompting near riots when van der Sloot was transferred between holding facilities, with some in the crowds shouting profanities and throwing rotten lettuce at him.

Van der Sloot asked to be separated from the main prison population out of fear for his life.

Altez declined to describe the threats saying only that he would stop representing the young Dutchman when members of van der Sloot's family arrive in Peru in the next few days.

Police say van der Sloot confessed last week to killing 21-year-old Stephany Flores, on May 30, in his hotel room after the two met playing poker at a casino.

Van der Sloot has famously been connected to the Natalee Holloway disappearance since she disappeared in 2005 while on vacation in Aruba - five years ago to the day that Stephany was killed in his hotel room.

It is not known who will replace Altez. Dutch officials said before van der Sloot was charged last week that his mother, a schoolteacher in Aruba, might have to borrow money in order to afford defense counsel. She has refused to talk to reporters.

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