Vermont
Rhode Island man accused of Vermont murder seeks to represent himself
BRATTLEBORO, Vt. (WCAX) – A Rhode Island man accused in the 2023 strangling death of a Vermont woman now wants to represent himself in the case.
Shawn Conlon has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Claudia Voight in February 2023 in her Windham home.
Police say Conlon was renting a room in Voight’s home and stopped paying her rent in late 2022, but stayed in her house. Evidence shows he was the one who attacked and killed her, according to police.
Conlon requested a new lawyer back in September, but during a court appearance on Thursday, he told the judge he now wants to defend himself.
“Your honor, I shouldn’t be here. I never so much as raised my voice to this woman. My DNA is nowhere on her. I should not be here,” Conlon said.
The judge strongly discouraged Conlon from defending himsel and now it seems he will have a new public defender, potentially delaying the case even longer.
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