Flori to defend himself
charge, but cannot afford him.
Despite a stern warning from Southport District Court Judge Katherine McGinness to seek alternate representation due to the severity of his charges, Mr Flori said he would face a two-week trial as an unrepresented defendant.
“I have faith in the judicial system. I have faith in a jury trial,” suspended sergeant Flori said outside court yesterday.
“(My) peers will be there to judge me. They’ll hear all the evidence and they’ll form an opinion and I’ll accept that opinion.”
Mr Flori is charged with misconduct after allegedly leaking footage to the media of police officers bashing a handcuffed prisoner in the basement of Surfers Paradise Police Station in 2012.
Mr Flori previously indicated he would brief Mr Holt, who represented Tostee and Adrian Bayley, the killer of Jill Meagher.
“If it’s got something to do with funds ... the two names I’ve just heard (Saul Holt and Stephen Zillman) are some of the most experienced barristers in Queensland,” Ms McGinness asked Mr Flori.
“Of course ... it has something to do with funding,” he replied.
Outside court, Mr Flori said he was working interstate after being suspended from the Queensland Police Service.
“I have no pay, I’ve got to feed my family. So I’ve sought alternative employment.”
Crown Prosecutor Todd Fuller QC told the court Mr Flori would also make an application for a “stay on the indictment publicity”.
The application is expected to be heard next month.
Outside court Mr Flori said he hoped the matter would be thrown out before the trial on the basis of his stay application.
The court heard Mr Flori was also seeking the disclosure of several items including records of another police officer and documents linked to QPS Commissioner Ian Stewart.
The matter is listed mention on June 21. based on pre-trial for