By Joe Duggan
Lincoln Journal Star
LINCOLN, Neb. — An Ashland man accused of shooting a volunteer firefighter wants to represent himself in court, his attorney says.
Omaha lawyer James Martin Davis has filed a motion to withdraw as counsel for Stanley Bjorkman. A judge will consider the motion at 11:45 a.m. today in Cass County District Court in Plattsmouth.
Bjorkman, 59, who lives at the Horseshoe Lake development south of Ashland, is scheduled to go to trial April 1 on six felony charges, including attempted second-degree murder. If convicted, he could spend the rest of his life in prison.
“The defendant has stated in court that he does not trust any lawyers, including his own,” Davis wrote in the Dec. 10 motion.
The motion also says that Bjorkman wishes to represent himself and he opposes Davis’ plan to hire expert witnesses. In previous court hearings, Davis has said he wants Bjorkman evaluated by psychiatric professionals to help decide whether an insanity defense is appropriate.
Judges generally are reluctant to allow defendants to represent themselves, particularly when the stakes are so high.
The prosecution alleges that Bjorkman fired shots at Ashland volunteer firefighters who showed up at his lake home to extinguish an illegal yard waste fire. One of the bullets struck firefighter Rodger Alley in the forearm.
Bjorkman also has been accused of firing two shots at a sheriff’s deputy who arrived at the scene.
Bjorkman kept officers at bay for two hours before storming out of his home carrying a rifle, authorities said. Nebraska State Patrol troopers fired several shots, striking him once. He was treated and released at an Omaha hospital after the incident.
Bjorkman has been charged with attempted second-degree murder, second-degree assault, attempted second-degree assault on an officer and three counts of using a firearm to commit a felony. The charges carry a combined maximum penalty of 210 years’ prison.
Also today, District Judge Randall Rehmeier will consider motions by the prosecution to move Bjorkman’s trial from April to February and to raise his bond. Bjorkman is free on $70,000, which is 10 percent of a $700,000 bond.
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