The Peruvian defense attorney who reportedly planned to step aside as Joran van der Sloot’s lawyer, will stay on the case, HLN’s Nancy Grace has learned.

In an exclusive phone interview, Maximo Altez told a Nancy Grace producer he is back on the case. Altez added that he and other lawyers will continue to represent van der Sloot, the 22-year-old from Aruba held on murder charges in a prison outside Lima, Peru.

Joran van der Sloot

Asked if he had considered quitting the case because of personal threats, Altez declined to answer.

In addition to his alleged confession in the beating death of Stephany Flores, van der Sloot is the lead suspect in the disappearance of 18-year-old Alabama high school student Natalee Holloway five years ago on her senior class trip.

Van der Sloot has allegedly told authorities he attacked Flores after she read an e-mail on his computer connected to the Holloway case.

But police have reportedly said they believe he killed her to steal her poker winnings at the Lima casino where they met.

A hearing is set for next week. No trial date has been announced. In Peru, a panel of judges decides murder cases.