Judge: But if [Phoenix] is now the suspect, then who exactly will serve as Mr. Wright's defense attorney in this trial?
Phoenix: I'm an attorney. So I choose to defend myself.
Judge: A-Are you sure you want to do that?
Phoenix: Yes, Your Honor, there's no doubt in my mind. Defense is ready!
Phoenix: I'm an attorney. So I choose to defend myself.
Judge: A-Are you sure you want to do that?
Phoenix: Yes, Your Honor, there's no doubt in my mind. Defense is ready!
Judge: Mr. Gribble, again I say this not only as an officer of the court, but as a caring human being. Please do not represent yourself.
Dale: May I continue?
Judge: Legally, I cannot stop you.
"If there is any truth to the old proverb "one who is his own lawyer has a fool for a client," the Court by its opinion today now bestows a constitutional right on one to make a fool of himself."
— Harry Blackmun, Supreme Court Justice, in remarks for Faretta v. California (1975)
