Charles N. Sargent, who’s accused of the grisly slashing death of trans woman Diamond Williams, will act as his own attorney during his upcoming murder trial.
After a 30-minute court proceeding Dec. 4, Common Pleas Judge Lillian H. Ransom ruled that Sargent is permitted to act as his own attorney.
Sargent said he’s doesn’t believe his court-appointed attorney, J. Michael Farrell, has given sufficient attention to his case. He said Farrell has only visited him once in jail.
Dressed in a brown pinstripe suit, Sargent assured Ransom he’s capable of representing himself at his jury trial, which is set to begin March 14.
“I’m pretty sure I can get the hang of it,” he told the judge. “I just have to get used to it. Once the trial goes on, I’m pretty sure I can stand up for myself.”
Sargent acknowledged being diagnosed with schizophrenia, but said he’s never taken any medicine for the condition.
Ransom said she had “reservations” about allowing Sargent to serve as his own attorney, but she’ll allow it. Ransom warned Sargent that if he’s convicted, he won’t be able to argue on appeal that he received ineffective assistance of counsel.
Sargent said he understood that fact, but it didn’t change his mind.
In July 2013, Sargent allegedly slashed to death Williams, dismembered her body with an axe, then deposited her body parts in a vacant lot.
Sargent told police he acted in self-defense, after Williams visited his Strawberry Mansion residence to perform oral sex for a pre-arranged payment of $40. Sargent said that once he realized Williams had a penis, he refused to pay the money. When Williams allegedly pulled out a knife and demanded the money, Sargent killed her.
He’s charged with first-degree murder, possessing an instrument of a crime, abuse of a corpse and related offenses.
Sargent said he didn’t want Farrell to attend his trial as a “stand-by” attorney. But Ransom said Farrell will perform that function, and he’ll answer any questions Sargent might have.
At the beginning of the proceeding, Sargent refused to be sworn in and testify under oath.
“I’m not going to argue with you,” Ransom told Sargent. “You’ll either be sworn in, or you’ll be taken out of this courtroom.”
At that point, Sargent agreed to be sworn in.
Assistant District Attorney Kristen J. Kemp expressed concern that Sargent won’t observe proper judicial decorum during his trial.
But Ransom said safeguards would be in place to ensure an orderly trial.
Outside the courtroom, Kemp said she hopes to achieve a first-degree conviction that’s “appeal-proof.”
“My concern is to ensure that everyone’s rights are honored and to get justice for Diamond,” Kemp said. “Mr. Sargent’s decision to represent himself will not affect my pursuit of justice for Diamond.”
The D.A.’s Office isn’t seeking the death penalty for Sargent, but he faces life imprisonment without parole.
In a related matter, Kemp acknowledged that the city Medical Examiner’s Office failed to obtain DNA samples from Williams’ badly decomposed corpse. But she said alternate methods of obtaining DNA evidence are being pursued. Once the evidence becomes available, it will be provided to Sargent.