BENTONVILLE -- A court hearing set for today could determine if a Missouri man who is representing himself is trying to throw the case.
Michael Doll, 52, of Jasper, Mo., is charged with attempted capital murder, aggravated residential burglary and battery. He pleaded not guilty to the charges. He's being held in the Benton County Jail on a $500,000 bond. Doll is scheduled to appear in court at 1:30 p.m. today.
About the case
Michael Doll, 52, of Jasper, Mo., could be sentenced from 10 years to 40 years of life imprisonment 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
Doll and his former wife exchanged gunshots outside her Bella Vista home June 7, 2016, according to court documents. A bullet grazed the woman's side and she was treated at the scene. Doll claims his actions were self-defense. A jury trial is scheduled to begin Aug. 22.
Doll will act as his own attorney, something Benton County Circuit Judge Robin Green warned him against doing. Two defense attorneys have been allowed to withdraw from the case.
Doll was in court last week because of a letter Green supposedly received on Doll's behalf. The letter claimed Doll wanted to plead no contest to the charges.
"I am asking for a plea of nolo contendere," according to the letter.
"My intention was never to waste the court's time, I just wanted my side heard," according to letter. "I thank you for allowing me the time to try to defend myself."
The letter claims Doll had his sister send the letter to Green. But Doll told Green at a hearing July 24 he had no knowledge of the letter.
Today's hearing will include issues such as Doll representing himself and whether he intentionally is trying to have any possible conviction appealed and thrown out by a higher court.
Sgt. Shannon Jenkins, spokeswoman for the Benton County Sheriff's Office, said the office has an electronic law library, and inmates are allowed access to the law library laptop computer if they schedule a time. Inmates can use the electronic library if they don't have legal representation, she said.
Doll has used the law library, Jenkins said.
Doll's ex-wife told a 911 dispatcher he tried to break into her home. Gunfire was heard on the phone and the caller said a man had shot her. The woman told police she moved to Bella Vista to get away from Doll, and he threatened to kill her, according to court documents.
Doll previously told Green he had no prior legal knowledge or experience. Green warned Doll numerous times of the consequences of representing himself and he'll be held to the same standards as a lawyer.
A person acting as their own attorney in a felony case has happened before in Benton County.
Joel Bullard of Gravette acted as his own attorney in two trials. Bullard was accused of killing his brother. His first trial in 2008 ended in a mistrial. Another jury in 2009 found Bullard guilty of first-degree murder and he was sentenced to life imprisonment.
NW News on 07/31/2017