After taking over his own defense, the trial of a 25-year-old man accused of stabbing his Holmes Beach roommate in March 2014 ended in a mistrial.
Andrew James Helderman’s request to represent himself before a jury of five men and two women against one count of attempted murder with a weapon — with his attorney Harlan L. Milhorn on standby — was granted Dec. 1 by 12th Judicial Circuit Judge Deno Economou.
The trial lasted through a morning of testimony as assistant state attorneys Darlene Ragoonanan and Joanna Piscitello began their case, calling Holmes Beach Police Officers Steven Ogline and Rob Velardi as witnesses.
Milhorn resumed Helderman’s defense before the jury reconvened in the afternoon — following a private conversation between a criminal investigator and Helderman on the lunch break.
Milhorn requested the mistrial, contending Helderman was unable to bring statements into evidence like an attorney and stating he believed him to be incompetent.
Helderman earlier told the judge he was taking a mood-stabilizing drug for a bi-polar condition, although he contended it didn’t affect his ability to represent himself.
Economou denied relief under the first argument, saying Helderman is “held to the same standard as any lawyer” and “in fact, he didn’t do a bad job,” but ruled a trial could not proceed after Milhorn disclosed a good faith belief his client is incompetent.
Milhorn had no comment after the proceeding.
After the mistrial, Ragoonanan said the state will not back down from requiring a day-for-day mandatory life sentence for Helderman if he’s convicted, due to his recent prison history.
Two doctors were appointed to report by Jan. 22 on Helderman’s competency to stand trial for the Holmes Beach stabbing.
Since Helderman’s March 14, 2014 arrest, he has been held in Manatee County jail on a $166,500 bond. He also is being held on a misdemeanor for opposing guards while in jail, a charge set for trial Jan. 11, 2016.
Helderman was convicted in Glades County of charges relating to a juvenile facility escape, including an aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, according to the Florida Department of Corrections website. He was released from prison Nov. 20, 2012.
Helderman’s new trial is set for Feb. 8 at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, pending his competency.
