Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Doll to continue representing self
BENTONVILLE — A Missouri man admitted he has problems with his hearing aids and eyeglasses, but he refuses to go to the Veterans Affairs medical center because he doesn’t want other veterans to see him in handcuffs and jail clothing.
Michael Doll told Benton County Circuit Judge Robin Green on Monday his refusal to go to the Fayetteville hospital had nothing to do with him trying to influence his criminal case.
“I will not be pushed around the
VA in shackles or in stripes,” Doll said. “I’m not going to be pushed around by someone that was probably not in the military.”
Doll, 52, of Jasper, Mo., is charged with attempted capital murder, aggravated residential burglary and battery. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and will act as his own attorney at trial. Doll is being held in the Benton County Jail on $500,000 bond.
Doll, who said he’s a combat veteran, was questioned by Green, who was concerned he intends to disrupt the trial and force her to have him removed from the courtroom. A jury trial is scheduled to begin Aug. 22.
Doll denied he planned to disrupt the trial, but Stuart Cearley, chief deputy prosecutor, played a July 20 jail recording of a telephone conversation between Doll and his sister.
“I can’t hear, read or see,” Doll said to his sister. “I don’t care. I’m going to get the judge to throw me out of court.”
Doll also said in the recording he planned to repeatedly tell Green he couldn’t hear during the trial.
“You are not playing anything to the hilt to try and manipulate this court,” Green warned Doll. “You are not going to play any games or cause any scenes during the trial.”
Doll answered, “Yes, ma’am.”
If Doll does go to the veterans hospital he will be handcuffed and dressed in jail attire for safety and security reasons, Green said.
Doll and his former wife exchanged gunshots outside her Bella Vista home June 7, 2016, according to court documents. A bullet grazed the woman’s side and she was treated at the scene. Doll claims his actions were self-defense.
Doll’s ex-wife told a 911 dispatcher he tried to break into her home. Gunfire was heard on the phone and she said a man had shot her. She told police she moved to Bella Vista to get away from Doll, and he threatened to kill her, according to court documents.
“I went to get some paperwork that belonged to me and someone shot at me,” Doll said Monday. “I never told her that I was going to kill her.”
Doll said he couldn’t prepare his defense while being held in jail and he asked Green to consider lowering his bond or release him from jail on his own recognizance. Green declined both requests.
Doll said he needs to use a computer and printer while trying to gather evidence some of the prosecutors’ witnesses are lying.
“I cannot defend myself from the Benton County Jail where there are no lights,” Doll said.
Deputies in court told Green the lights in Doll’s cell will be checked.
Doll also complained about the lack of air conditioning at the jail, saying it’s causing him not to be able to work on his case. Green told Doll there was nothing she could do about the air conditioning.
Cearley told Green he had no plans to contact Doll to discuss the case, but Doll could contact him through jail staff if he had concerns.
Doll questioned whether he would receive a fair trial and whether his guilt was assumed when he was arrested.
“I know that man thinks I’m guilty,” Doll said as he looked at Cearley. “I know he wants to put me in prison for the rest of my life.”
Doll also claimed attorneys with Benton County Public Defenders Office and Green also believe he’s guilty. Doll later said he didn’t mean to offend Green.