CONWAY, S.C. — A South Carolina death row inmate appealing his conviction because he says his lawyer at his trial was inadequate has told a judge he is fine with using the same attorney for a second death penalty trial later this year.

Stephen Stanko -- who was captured in Augusta following a nationwide manhunt in 2005 -- is already facing one death sentence for killing a woman in Georgetown County in April that year.

He is facing the death penalty again if convicted of murder in Horry County in a different killing during his trial this November.

Mr. Stanko is appealing the Georgetown County death sentence, saying attorney Bill Diggs did not adequately defend him. But at a court hearing Friday, The Sun News of Myrtle Beach reports that Mr. Stanko told the judge he is confident Mr. Diggs can defend him properly in the Horry County case.

Mr. Stanko was captured in Augusta where police suspected he was trying to hide among the thousands of vistors in town for Masters Week in April 2005.