A man robs a convenience store, goes to trial with a lawyer and gets a Not Guilty verdict. For some crazy reason, he decided the lawyer wasn't on his side and choose to represent himself in the next two trials for the same thing. Guess what happened?
This is one of those "don't try this at home'" stories which happen so often in Pasco County. According to the St. Petersburg Times, Morgan Armstrong robbed the Beverages Plus on State Road 52 in Hudson, Florida in 2009. The main witness for the State, the store clerk, was so upset she fainted on the witness stand. Her partner took off her sneaker and put it to her nose to try to revive her with the odor. You can't make this stuff up.
Meanwhile the Defendant is twice convicted for Robbery with a Deadly Weapon. Showing no remorse while Judge Andrews sentenced him he says "For what? I didn't do anything."
Any criminal defense attorney would have kept him from saying that. Yikes. Hope he got his affairs in order because he's not getting out.
I had about one year of experience and maybe 5 jury trials under my belt when I was a State Attorney and a man represented himself on the same charges. He's still in prison.
Please - regardless of how little you like your attorney DO NOT REPRESENT YOURSELF - lawyers aren't there to be your buddy - their sole purpose is to defend your rights. Call us if you have questions.
