In People v. Lavalle, Sup Ct, Suffolk County, Mullen, J., May 24-25, 1999, index No. 1350/97, the court relieved defendant's lead counsel over fundamental strategic differences with defendant and appointed his associate counsel to act in the lead role. The very next day, on May 25, 1999, an attorney having no prior involvement in the case was appointed as the defendant's associate counsel pursuant to Judiciary Law 35-b. Defendant requested a three-month adjournment until September 1999 to allow his newly appointed associate counsel to familiarize himself with the case. The court denied defendant's request and opening statements were made two weeks later on June 8, 1999. (Id.)