Hood to represent himself in cop killing trial

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) A Clarke County judge has allowed a man accused of fatally shooting a police officer to represent himself in his own death penalty trial.

The judge granted Jamie Hood's request to fire his court-appointed attorneys Thursday in Clarke County Superior Court.

Hood is accused in the death of Athens-Clarke County Police Officer Elmer ``Buddy'' Christian and authorities say he also wounded a second officer in 2011.

The Athens Banner-Herald reports Hood's attorney, Newell Hamilton, objected to his client's request to represent himself and said the man is incapable of constructively participating in the trial.

The judge said Hood made an intelligent, voluntary waiver of his right to counsel and granted his request despite Hamilton's objection.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2014/3/273050