Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
June 25, 2007Family, Department of Corrections Mourn Loss of Officer
June 25, 2007Allgier Called a Friend with Alleged Confession
June 26, 2007Police: Allgier Killed Officer to Avenge Death of Fellow White Supremacist
June 27, 2007Curtis Allgier Speaks From His Jail Cell
June 29, 2007Sticking Points in Case Against Curtis Allgier
July 2, 2007Prisoner Accused of Killing Officer Appears in Court
Sept. 7, 2007Preliminary Hearing Set for February 20
Jan. 29, 2008Allgier hearing postponed
March 6, 2008 Lawyer asks to be removed from Allgier case
June 22, 2008Public defenders to continue representing Allgier
July 12, 2008Judge steps down from Allgier case
Jan. 13, 2009Accused killer wants new lawyers
Jan. 30, 2009Murder suspect avoids court due to handcuff issue
Feb. 27, 2009Allgier's lawyers in court over letter
March 13, 2009Judge orders Allgier letter unsealed
Aug. 15, 2009High court to review Utah prison guard murder case
March 23, 2010Death penalty sought for inmate in guard's killing
March 24, 2010Man facing death penalty for officer's death to be married
March 30, 2010Preliminary hearing begins in Allgier case
March 31, 2010'Hero' testifies at Allgier hearing
April 1, 2010Curtis Allgier to stand trial for murder
April 12, 2010 Curtis Allgier pleads not guilty in the death of corrections officer
April 20, 2010 Curtis Allgier's jail wedding canceled
Feb. 9, 2011 Accused killer Curtis Allgier wants new attorneys
March 23, 2011 Judge wants to reconsider Curtis Allgier ruling
March 29, 2011 Frustrated judge grants Curtis Allgier new attorneys
SALT LAKE CITY — A man accused of killing a corrections officer now wants to defend himself in court.
In a handwritten letter to 3rd District Judge Paul Maughan dated March 30, Curtis Allgier complained that the judge's decision the day before to dismiss his attorneys had forced him to represent himself.
He asked for funds to review evidence, make phone calls and consult law books in the Salt Lake County Jail, where he is being held. Allgier also asked for subpoena power to talk to potential witnesses in his capital case.
I've been forced for four years to be represented by ineffective, conflict-riddled, incompetent counsel that have refused to attempt to collect evidence, preserve evidence, fight for me, diligently and zealously represent me, follow court orders, protect my best interests and more.
–Curtis Allgier
His appointed legal defenders filed multiple motions to withdraw, citing conflicts of interest and communication issues. Maughan reluctantly agreed but has not yet assigned attorneys to replace them. In his March 29 order, the judge said he believed the legal defenders were dragging their feet on the case and he hoped new counsel would move more quickly.
Allgier blasted his attorneys and the judge in his letter, saying they had violated his constitutional rights.
"I've been forced for four years to be represented by ineffective, conflict-riddled, incompetent counsel that have refused to attempt to collect evidence, preserve evidence, fight for me, diligently and zealously represent me, follow court orders, protect my best interests and more," Allgier wrote. "Now I have no representation, and have the right and need to do all I can to protect and save my life, so this all is clearly my only option."
Allgier, 31, is charged with aggravated murder in the 2007 shooting death of corrections officer Stephen Anderson, who was escorting him from the state prison to University Hospital.
Only qualified attorneys can take Allgier's case since he could be eligible for the death penalty. Prosecutor Bob Stott said it would be "very unusual" for Allgier to defend himself, and said he hopes the judge will appoint new counsel soon. The new attorneys would need to sign a contract with the district attorney's civil division.
"Our number one goal all along has been to have this thing proceed," Stott said. "We're concerned that the victim's family finally see this thing come to closure."
An April trial date has been struck, and a new one has not yet been set.
Email:pkoepp@ksl.com
