By DAYNA DRUM | Reporter
The alleged perpetrator of police pursuit that ended in a six-hour standoff in a Palisades garage in early April, Kharl Stuart, has elected to act as his own legal representation.
At a court appearance on Thursday, June 30, Stuart informed Judge Lauren Weis Birnstein that he no longer wanted to be represented by his assigned public defender.
“She acts very low class,” Stuart explained to the court, referring to his well-dressed and put together counsel.
Judge Birnstein audibly laughed at the claim and warned Stuart that he would be at an “extreme disadvantage” if he went through with his request.
When asked if he was certain about his decision, Stuart affirmed he was “110 percent” certain. Dressed in a dark blue prison uniform, Stuart paced and muttered behind a glass partition where he was contained throughout the proceeding. After a slew of comments and interjections, Judge Birnstein turned off the defendant’s mic so the court was no longer able to hear him.
Stuart is expected to return to court on Aug. 5.
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