Sign In
Events
Newsletters
Search

Close

Close Search

Cancel

SEARCH
MY LAW.COMNEW

Owens v. State

The trial court did not err in denying the murder defendant's mid-trial request to fire her attorney and proceed pro se after she had previously requested to represent herself and then changed her mind.

X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

Following a jury trial, Marian Papacsi Owens appeals her conviction for the felony murder of Tommy Janes, contending, among other things, that her right to proceed pro se was violated and that she received ineffective assistance of counsel.1 For the reasons set forth below, we affirm.

1. Viewed in the light most favorable to the verdict, the record shows that, on the evening of December 22, 2011, Owens spent the night at Janes’s home. The following morning, William Crane, Janes’s neighbor, investigated loud noises he heard from Janes’s home. Through a window, Crane saw Janes lying on the floor. Completely nude, Owens was straddling Janes and beating him with a metal nutcracker. By that time, Owens had already stabbed Janes, who was fully clothed, multiple times in the back. When police arrived, Owens was being combative, acting erratically, and singing about Jesus and the devil. At trial, after being found to be competent, Owens admitted that she killed Janes, though she contended that she was not coherent for a large portion of the events that night.

Trending Stories

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

LEARN MORE

More From ALM

Premium Subscription
With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Team Accounts
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Bundle Subscriptions
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
Go to CLE Center
Southeastern Legal Awards 2025
May 01, 2025
Atlanta, GA

The Daily Report is honoring those attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession.


Learn More
GlobeSt. Healthcare Real Estate 2024
December 02, 2024 - December 03, 2024
Scottsdale, AZ

Join the industry's top owners, investors, developers, brokers and financiers for the real estate healthcare event of the year!


Learn More
ThinkAdvisor LUMINARIES Awards 2024
December 11, 2024
Las Vegas, NV

This event shines a spotlight on how individuals and firms are changing the investment advisory industry where it matters most.


Learn More
Go to Events Go to Webcasts
Senior Associate - Boutique -A&D (NYC)

SENIOR ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY, BOUTIQUE LAW FIRM, CORPORATE LAW We provide strategic advisory and legal services to the world's leading archite...


Apply Now ›
ATTORNEY - REMOTE - NEW YORK

Experienced Insurance Defense Attorney.No in office requirement.Send resume to:


Apply Now ›
School Law Associate

We are seeking two attorneys with a minimum of two to three years of experience to join our prominent and thriving education law practice in...


Apply Now ›
Go to Lawjobs