Judge Bans Pro Se Defendant from His Own Trial

After Isiah Williams repeatedly complained about his lawyers, a New York state judge said he could represent himself.

But when Williams continued to be too disruptive, Monroe County Court Judge John Connell banned him from the courtroom. Nonetheless, his trial on multiple forgery, grand larceny and identity theft charges concerning alleged forged checks is ongoing, reports the Roc Now blog of the Democrat and Chronicle.

“I’m sure all of this will be an issue for an appeal,” District Attorney Michael Green tells the Rochester, N.Y., newspaper. “But if you put yourself in the judge’s position, what do you do as a judge?"

The article doesn't explain what exactly Williams did to disrupt the trial.

Related earlier coverage:

ABAJournal.com: "Probable Cause Hearing Goes from Bad to Worse for Duct-Taped Defendant"