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| S.C. Death Row Inmate Wants to Represent Self on Appeal |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 10/21/2002 |
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A man sent to death row for killing his parents wants to represent himself as he appeals his sentence. James Robertson, 28, said in court recently he wants to fire his court-appointed lawyer because the two don't agree. Robertson stabbed his mother and beat his father with a baseball bat and the claw end of a hammer in their Rock Hill home in November 1997. Prosecutors said he wanted his part of his parents' $2.2 million estate. Shortly after his conviction, Robertson wrote the state Supreme Court, asking to stop all his appeals. He later took back that request, and an appeal of his death sentence has been filed with the high court. Robertson said during the recent hearing he didn't know what actions he would take if given permission to represent himself. Ed Salter, a lawyer with the state attorney general's office, asked Robertson if he understood the risks involved when people without legal training represent themselves in court. Robertson said he did. Both Salter and Circuit Court Judge John Hayes asked Robertson if he understood that if he was granted permission to represent himself he would not be able to change his mind. Robertson said he would have access to the law library in prison. He said his best source of information might be the other death row inmates who know how the court system works. Robertson's current lawyer, Bruce Poore, asked his client if he understood his rights and questioned Robertson about his medications and their effects on his decision-making abilities. Robertson said he is taking Prozac and Lithium to control his manic depression and Vistaril to help him sleep, but is otherwise clear-headed. Hayes did not immediately rule on Robertson's request. |
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