Michael Crane, suspect in 3 Valley killings, wants to be own lawyer

PHOENIX - A man suspected of killing a Paradise Valley couple and a Phoenix cigar salesman during home invasions in January wants to represent himself at trial.

"I never hired these attorneys, we have no contract, no standing contract," said Michael Crane in court.

Crane was flanked by his court-appointed attorneys Wednesday when he demanded they be fired and he be allowed to defend himself.

He then told the judge he wanted to submit his own paperwork to the court. When the judge instructed the suspected killer to have his attorneys handle the filing, Crane responded, "I never agreed to your terms of service, I never agreed to terms of your contract your honor."

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Warren Granville said it's up to him to decide if Crane is competent to represent himself as an attorney. 

Granville told Crane there is a list of items to go through before making a decision if he can defend himself.

"Well then we should probably get busy doing that list of questions then," said Crane in a defiant tone.

The 32-year-old Crane has already been found mentally competent to stand trial and made it clear Wednesday he has a view of the court system.

"This is a simple thing," said Crane while shackled in jailhouse stripes. "I am not bound by your rules, regulations, statutes and procedures and you're aware of this."

Crane's next court date is Sept. 18.

Crane has pleaded not guilty to three counts of first-degree murder in the killings of Bruce Gaudet on Jan. 26 and of Lawrence and Glenna Shapiro on Jan. 30 in separate robberies.