Missouri man won't act as own attorney

Michael Landon Doll
Michael Landon Doll

BENTONVILLE -- A Missouri man accused of attempting to kill his former wife will no longer act as his own attorney, but he indicated he won't cooperate with the one appointed to defend him.

Michael Doll, 52, of Jasper is charged with attempted capital murder, aggravated residential burglary and battery. Doll's ex-wife told a 911 dispatcher on June 7, 2016, he tried to break into her Bella Vista home.

About the case

Michael Doll, 52, of Jasper, Mo., could be sentenced from 10 years to 40 years or life imprisonment on each if convicted of attempted capital murder and aggravated residential burglary. He could be sentenced from five to 20 years in prison if convicted of first-degree battery.

Source: Staff report

Gunfire was heard on the phone and the caller said a man had shot her, according to a probable cause affidavit. A bullet grazed the woman's side, and she was treated at the scene, according to court documents.

Doll has claimed he was acting in self-defense. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and is being held in the Benton County Jail on a $500,000 bond.

His jury trial was scheduled to begin today.

Doll requested Monday to delay the trial because prosecutors added an additional witness last week. Doll also wanted to delay the case because he is not capable of representing himself and he wants an attorney appointed to his case.

"Are you asking the court to appoint a attorney to represent you?" Circuit Judge Robin Green asked.

"Yes, ma'am," Doll replied.

Green told Doll he already has had two private attorneys and the Benton County Public Defender's Office on his case. Green appointed the local public defender's office to Doll's case again.

"You will not be allowed to fire them if you can't adequately represent yourself," the judge told Doll.

Doll later requested to speak and Green advised him to speak to his attorney. Chief Public Defender Jay Saxton was standing near Doll.

"I don't need to talk to him," Doll responded. "He doesn't need to come and see me."

Saxton told Green he had visited with Doll at the jail once and spoken with him in court where Doll used an expletive toward him. Saxton said he hopes Doll works with him on his defense, but they will be ready at trial time.

Green scheduled the jury trial to begin Oct. 31. A pre-trial hearing was set for Oct. 30.

Doll also requested to reschedule the trial because prosecutors added a witness last week and he needs time to get information to rebuke her testimony.

Stuart Cearley, chief deputy prosecutor, told the judge he talked with the woman last week. Cearley did not object to delaying the trial.

NW News on 08/22/2017

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