Young to defend self in retrial for slayings of four young men

Thursday, July 21, 2005 | 8:37 a.m.

A 25-year-old man with an 11th grade education said, "I don't want no attorney," prior to a judge ruling Wednesday he can defend himself at his retrial in the execution-style slaying of four young men in August 1998.

Although District Judge Nancy Saitta said she "would never recommend it" she granted Terrell Young's request, adding "it's not smart."

"It's your life on the line, and I'm just here to help you," Saitta said. "I will do my very best to give you a fair trial."

A Clark County jury convicted Young in 1999 in the killings of 20-year-old Tracey Gorringe, 20-year-old Peter Talamantez, 19-year-old Matthew Mowen and 19-year-old Jeffrey Biddle, but the Nevada Supreme Court, however, ordered a new trial for Young because during the initial trial District Judge Joseph Pavlikowski failed to properly deal with Young's contention that there was animosity and a lack of communication between Young and his court-appointed lawyer, Lew Wolfbrandt.

Young successfully argued to represent himself this time, saying his attorneys, Karen Connolly and Patricia Erickson, were a "buffer preventing me from justice."

In Young's handwritten motion to defend himself, he alleges Connolly and Erickson are "afraid of Judge Nancy" and as a result are ineffective.

He singled out Erickson in court Wednesday saying, "I can't file my own motions because if I make her mad, she knows how to hurt me."

Prior to Saitta taking the bench, the communication breakdown between Young and his attorneys could be clearly seen. He argued with them about what they have and haven't done in preparation for his retrial.

Erickson told Saitta she was "more than happy to continue (defending Young), but I will not be treated the way he is treating me." The defense attorney said Young has refused to meet with Connolly and herself.

Young responded, "I'm not gonna change."

Deputy District Attorney Robert Daskas summed up Young's decision to defend himself, saying simply, "It's crystal clear he's playing games with the court."

Not only will Young defend himself, but he has refused to have a standby attorney to assist him at trial with legal issues and filing motions. Young told the judge that "all my motions will come out of the NRS (Nevada Revised Statutes) and the books at the jail law library."

Saitta said she would hold Young to "the same standards that a regular attorney is held to" and emphasized Young's Feb. 21 trial date would stand.

After the judge's refusal to grant a new trial date, Young said, "I'm not going to be ready with Karen, Pat or if Johnny Cochran comes back from the grave."