A man accused of killing a police officer demanded a judge remove his attorneys from his capital murder case, stating the public defenders are not properly representing him.

In what, at times, was a very disruptive court proceeding, Jamie Hood clashed with Judge David Sweat, arguing why he didn't feel his attorneys were doing a good enough job.

"I'll represent myself," Hood said. "I mean, I can't go to court with these people here and what they're doing to do me."

Attorneys Christian Lamar and Emily Gilbert have represented Hood for nearly a year since he was arrested on charges he killed Athens-Clarke County Police Officer Elmer "Buddy" Christian and wounded Officer Tony Howard. Hood evaded capture for days until he finally surrendered to police on live television.

Hood was in court as part of a recusal hearing after Judge Lawton Stephens admitted to knowing Howard and his family for years. Sweat held the hearing to decide if Stephens should hear the death penalty case.

But it didn't take long for Hood to begin raising the issue of his representation. He often interrupted Sweat as he pleaded for the court to fire his lawyers. Sweat continually reminded Hood that he was in control of the hearing.

"I am in control," Sweat said. "Don't talk when I'm talking."

"The representation I'm getting is not even meeting what the Constitution says is my right to effective counsel," Hood argued.

At one point, Sweat adjourned court until he felt Hood had calmed down enough to continue. He then cleared the court of everyone, including prosecutors, as he heard Hood's detailed arguments why he thinks Lamar and Gilbert should be removed.

Sweat decided to halt the hearing and pick it back up again at a later date. Meanwhile, the original recusal hearing will have to be rescheduled as well.
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