The judge presiding in the “Man in Black” bank robberies case wants to make sure that the defendant knew that self-representation may not be a wise move. The defendant is facing federal criminal charges after a string of felonies and armed bank robberies across the state that started in 2011. He is being tried in the U.S. District Court in St. Paul.

The alleged suspect told the judge that he understood the risks of self-representation. He will have a standby counsel who will provide the necessary help if he needs it.

The 50-year-old former nursing home executive is charged with 13 counts of armed bank robbery. The upcoming trial only involves a count with two more trials to split the other 12 counts.

According to sources, the defendant dismissed his appointed representation believing that the team is unfit to represent him. He cited that the original appointed team failed to get the court to try him separately for each counts believing he could be prejudiced in the eyes of the jurors if all counts are tried jointly. Mingling all evidences might confuse jurors and wrongfully prejudice the accused.

He has filed numerous motions in complaint about his jail food to standing when a judge or jury enters and leaves the courtroom. He has also questioned the lack of bank robbery data as well as possibility of fictitious testimonies against him. It is found that the accused is a follower of Islam.

He also sued both the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Federal Public Defender’s Office over wrongful claims, bad representation and rights violations.

It is yet to be seen if the accused can pull self-representation off in such a serious case as armed robbery. Often, it is highly recommended that a professional team be assembled to represent and defend an accused in such cases.


Keywords: Man In Black, self-representation