Murder Suspect Tries To Fire Lawyers, Anne Arundel Judge Questions His Competency

DAVIDSONVILLE, MD — A Davidsonville murder suspect must undergo a mental competency evaluation after he tried to fire his lawyers, a judge ruled recently.

The suspect also said he is "not subject to any statutes or codes." He claimed that his estate is what is charged with murder and that he has "no nexus with that entity."

Jonah Michael Poole of Davidsonville, 18, is accused of partnering with his girlfriend to kidnap and kill Annapolis resident Edward Stephen Koza, 67, on May 24. Koza owned Tropic Bay Water Gardens, the Davidsonville store where his body was found in the back seat of his burning truck.

Poole's girlfriend, 18-year-old Kylee Alyssa Dakes of Harwood, is also charged with murder in the case. Patch has been unable to find a plea entered for Dakes.

Judge Stacy McCormack on Aug. 14 ordered Poole to undergo a psychological exam at the Maryland Department of Health, according to court records obtained by Patch. The evaluation will determine if he is mentally fit to stand trial.

"[Poole] simply refuses to respond to basic questions and has had numerous question that has caused the court to have concern that he is unable to understand the nature of the charges against him and assist his defense," McCormack wrote in the paperwork.

Related:

• Murder Suspect Vandalized The Summit School Days Before Davidsonville Killing: Police
• Davidsonville Murder Suspect Burglarized Dock Bar Where His Girlfriend Worked: Police
• Davidsonville Murder Suspect Worked For Victim, Break-In Reported Before Death: Police
• Video Of Burning Truck Investigated In Business Owner's Homicide
• Man Found In Davidsonville Vehicle Fire Was Annapolis Resident: Police

Poole is petitioning to fire his attorneys at the public defender's office and instead represent himself in court proceedings. He alleged that one of his lawyers shared confidential information with his grandmother that should have been protected by attorney-client privilege.

Poole has submitted several handwritten court filings, explaining his arguments. The notes cite legal statutes and influential court cases. They also contain several misspellings.

"I don't want them on any of my cases," Poole said in a record filed on July 10. "I am fully comfortable and mentally capable speaking for myself propia persona in my natural form. I do NOT consent for anyone to speak for me or make an appearance on my behalf."

Poole wrote on June 25 that he denies the existence of these "corporations:" "JONAH POOLE" in all caps, the state of Maryland and Anne Arundel County's police department, state's attorney and courthouse.

Poole is also claiming that his estate is what is charged with murder and that he has no responsibility to oversee his estate. He has demanded to be released immediately and have his charges dismissed.

"The name on the charging document is not me," Poole said at a court hearing on Aug. 14, according to WBAL-TV, adding that he has "not been cooperating with counsel because they do not represent my estate." When the judge asked what he wanted to be called, WBAL said Poole responded: "A living, breathing man, please."

When Poole stated that he doesn't fully understand why McCormack ordered the competency evaluation, WBAL said the judge replied: "That's the whole problem I have. I agree with you. I agree that you don't understand."

A hearing on Poole's competency evaluation and motion to dismiss his counsel is slated for Oct. 28 at 1:30 p.m.

Poole's status conference scheduled for Sept. 26 was postponed to Nov. 14 at 9 a.m.

On Aug. 5, the courts assigned Cathleen M. Vitale as the judge hearing Poole's case.

On July 24, Assistant State's Attorney Marot R. Williamson moved to consolidate the cases of Poole and his girlfriend into one joint trial.

"The offenses charged against the Defendants arose from a single incident and transaction," Williamson wrote in her petition. "Substantially all of the evidence admitted at a joint trial would be admissible separately tried. Judicial economy would be best served by consolidation."

Poole is also accused of burglarizing the Galesville dock bar where his girlfriend worked. He is further accused of spray-painting "a swastika and derogatory phrases about sexual orientation" on a private school in Edgewater.

Poole's lawyers entered a not guilty plea in each of his cases. His defense team told Patch they have no comment.

In his written court papers, Poole refers to his name in all caps as the decedent, which is a dead person. He said that he will accept liability for the charges against the decedent if the state can prove he is indeed the decedent.

"My estate "JONAH MICHAEL POOLE" is copyrighted under common law, and is a seperate party from my flesh and blood, jonah michael of the poole family," Poole wrote in a filing dated as served on July 28. "I charge $500,000 USD for everytime my private property is used."

Poole said he will be making a "special appearence" to settle the matter. He added that he is "a free man of god," and does "not consent to be surety for any Artificial Person."

"I move to have these cases dismissed because the state does not hold any title over my natural body, therefor the courts lack personal Jurisdiction of my flesh and blood," he wrote. "I am to be reffered to as a natural human living man, created by god living in the kingdom of earth. I was not created by the Legislative branch of any government, therefor I am not subject to any statutes or codes. I do not consent to participate in any proceedings foreign to the republic of Maryland."

On June 25, Poole said, "I, the affiant, jonah michael of the poole family, is a seperate party from the all caps letter version of my Christian name, JONAH POOLE."

"The entity consisting of the all caps version of my Christian name is not me, the Living Soul, Flesh and Blood Man," he wrote. "I have no nexus with that entity. The burden of proving otherwis now rests upon you, the recipient of this notice."