Hybrid Representation Rights Not Violated

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court has affirmed a criminal conviction of a defendant who was charged and convicted of crimes after he evaded a police roadblock, hid in the woods from law enforcement for over a week and then emerged to hold schhoolchildren hostage at gunpoint.

The trial court had allowed the defendant to represent himself and appointed standby counsel.

The court here found no violation of the defendant’s right to hybrid representation. The court also rejected the argument that the legal process against the defendant was a RICO conspiracy.

The standby counsel should have been a dentist — attorney Jeffrey Toothaker. (Mike Frisch)