Doll wants to act as own attorney

Charges include attempted capital murder for shooting wife in 2016

BENTONVILLE — A Missouri man admits he isn’t qualified to act as his own attorney, but he wants to try even though he could spend the rest of his days in prison.

Michael Doll, 52, of Jasper, Mo., is charged with attempted capital murder, aggravated residential burglary and first-degree battery. He’s being held in the Benton County Jail on a $500,000 bond.

Doll and his former wife exchanged gunshots outside her Bella Vista home June 7, 2016, according to court documents.

The woman was grazed in the side by a bullet and was treated at the scene, the affidavit states.

Deputy Public Defender Scott McElveen doesn’t believe Doll is innocent, and McElveen only discussed possible punishments if convicted, Doll said at hearing Wednesday.

“I’m not guilty of what they are accusing me of,” Doll said.

Doll requested another attorney to represent him or he wants to act as his own attorney.

Benton County Circuit Judge Robin Green reminded Doll the Public Defender’s Office was appointed after Doll couldn’t work with Shane Wilkinson, an attorney Doll hired.

Green said McElveen is an experienced criminal defense attorney and she urged Doll to work him.

Green repeatedly warned Doll about representing himself. He faces the possibility of two life sentences with an additional 20 years in prison if convicted.

“You can represent yourself, but you will be held to the same standards as an attorney,” Green told Doll.

Green urged Doll to cooperate with his attorney. But Doll was adamant he could do a better job.

“Are you absolutely certain you want to proceed without a lawyer?” Green asked. “Yes,” Doll replied. McElveen told Green he talked with Doll on different occasions and reviewed the case. McElveen said Doll hadn’t provided any witnesses who could back up his version of the events.

McElveen said he, Kevin Lammers, another attorney in the office, and an investigator went to the jail to talk to Doll, but he refused to discuss the case.

Doll’s ex-wife told a 911 dispatcher he tried to break into her home. Gunfire was heard on the phone and the caller said a man had shot her. The woman told police she moved to Bella Vista to get away from Doll, and he had threatened to kill her, according to court documents.

Doll claims his actions were self-defense.

“I was shot at four times before I pulled my gun,” Doll said. “She shot at me first. I wasn’t going to stand on the porch and get shot at.”

Doll said that’s why he entered the home.

A home surveillance system captured the incident and the video doesn’t support Doll’s version of events and it disputes any self-defense claims, said Stuart Cearley, chief deputy prosecutor.

After a break, Green continued to grill Doll about his request to represent himself.

“Every answer you tell me shows you are not qualified to represent yourself,” Green told Doll.

Green asked Doll if he had heard the adage, “A lawyer who represents himself has a fool for a client” and what it meant.

“It means I’m a fool for representing myself,” said Doll, who admitted he wasn’t qualified to act as his attorney.

Green said she wasn’t implying that Doll was a fool.

Green asked Doll whether he wanted standby counsel to assist him. Doll would act as his attorney, but an attorney would sit with him and advise at trial.

“I don’t understand,” Doll replied.

Doll has had two mental evaluations. He was found fit to stand trial and capable of assisting his attorney with his defense.

Prosecutors requested more time to see if Doll is mentally fit to act as his own attorney. Green took Doll’s request under advisement and will rule at a hearing June 19.

“I was shot at four times before I pulled my gun. She shot at me first. I wasn’t going to stand on the porch and get shot at.” — Michael Doll, charged with attempted capital murder, aggravated residential burglary and first-degree battery

Doll