The man accused of killing an Athens-Clarke County police officer spent the hearing Thursday once again trying to get his lawyers removed from the case.
The hearing in Athens-Clark County Superior Court was called to consider Jamie Hood's request that the judge presiding over his death penalty case be removed.
Hood, who is accused of fatally shooting Senior Police Officer Elmer "Buddy" Christian on March 22, 2011, has argued that Western Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Lawton Stephens is a friend of the slain officer's family.
Hood, however, used Thursday's hearing to demand new attorneys, according to Channel 2 Action News. He told Superior Court Judge David Sweat that his public defenders, Christian Lamar and Emily Gilbert, were not providing adequate representation.
"I'll represent myself," Hood told the court. "I mean, I can't go to court with these people here and what they're doing to do me."
Last October, Hood tried unsuccessfully to get the attorneys removed from the case.
Lamar and Gilbert have represented Hood for nearly a year.
"The representation I'm getting is not even meeting what the Constitution says is my right to effective counsel," Hood said.
Hood had several sharp exchanges with Sweat, who had to constantly remind the murder suspect of who was in control of the court, Channel 2 reported. The judge took a recess to allow Hood to calm down. He then reconvened to hear more of Hood's arguments about his dissatisfaction with counsel, but not before clearing the court.
Sweat did not rule on Hood's request. The recusal hearing involving Judge Stephens will be rescheduled, Channel 2 reported.
Hood is also accused of wounding Senior Police Officer Tony Howard during the shooting last year. He has pleaded not guilty.
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