SAN ANGELO, TX- Yesterday afternoon, at 3:30 p.m., Jerry Lynn Graves Jr., 36, appeared in Judge Ben Woodward’s 119th District Court with Attorney Paul Parker.
On June 22, 2015, Graves was booked into the Tom Green County Jail (TGCJ) for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Obstruction or Retaliation. According to the indictment, Graves threatened three different women.
The indictment for Graves' Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon noted that, “on or about” the 19th day of June 2014, and before the presentment of the indictment, Graves “did then and there intentionally and knowingly” harm the victim with imminent bodily injury by approaching the victim with a knife during an argument. The knife was capable of causing death and serious bodily injury during the said assault.
The indictment for Graves' Obstruction or Retaliation charge explained that, on that same day, the defendant intentionally and knowingly threatened to harm the victim by an unlawful act, which included “threatening to kill the said [victim], in retaliation for or on account of the service of the said [victim] as a public servant, to-wit: an employee of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.”
The purpose of Wednesday's hearing was for a Motion to Withdraw Parker as Graves' counsel. The Motion to Withdraw as Counsel document stated, “Conflict has arisen between Defendant and Defense Counsel that destroys attorney-client relationship with no possibility of resolution.”
Before the hearing began, Graves was placed in the left front pew of the courtroom. After Woodward called court to order, Parker explained that he can no longer represent Graves. Woodward granted Graves the opportunity to stand up from his pew and speak about why he would like a new lawyer, for what will now be the ninth time.
All together, Graves has had seven defense attorneys appointed to him; however, one of them, John Sutton, was appointed to his case twice. Now, with this withdrawal of counsel, another of the previous seven, Tom Davidson, will be re-appointed again, making this Graves' ninth counsel appointment.
Graves said he fired all of them for not “representing him properly." As Graves pleaded his reasoning to Woodward, he held up a manila folder with many documents inside, and repeatedly said, “Let me show you.” Woodward, however, had to refuse every time and explained he is unable to review those documents pertaining to the case. Graves continued to press Woodward to look at the documents despite Judge Woodward telling him why he could not. That information must be maintained between the defendant and his attorney.
Despite Woodward's explanation, Graves continued and told him he has been filing motions himself because none of his lawyers have been properly representing him. Graves insisted the documents he has “can prove I’m innocent.” It was evidence that people could hear, see and touch, he added.
Parker joined in and said, “He provided a large volume of hand-written documents made himself.”
After hearing sides from both Parker and Graves, Woodward said, “I’m going to allow you to withdraw, but this [is the last one].”
As stated,, Woodward appointed Tom Davidson to Graves' case. Before court was adjourned, Parker said, “I will provide Tom Davidson everything I have.”
Graves' next Pre-Trial hearing will be held in February. A specific date was not provided during the motion hearing yesterday.
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