QUINCY — Bradley Yohn, who has been charged with four Class X felonies in connection with a Nov. 9, 2021 sexual assault, agreed to allow public defender Todd Nelson defend him Wednesday during an appearance in Adams County Circuit Court.
Yohn had filed a motion July 18 to have Nelson withdrawn as his counsel and allow himself to represent himself Pro Se, claiming ineffective assistance. He also filed a motion on June 22 to have his case dismissed because of a violation of his right to a speedy trial.
However, when Judge Roger Thomson asked Yohn if he would give Nelson a chance to represent him and review the motions and discovery in the case, Yohn agreed.
“I will agree to let (Nelson) represent me as long as he looks into that motion and possibly a change of venue motion,” Yohn said.
Moments later, however, when Nelson asked Thomson for a continuance to Aug. 3 so that he might review “a number of things in the case,” Yohn blurted out, “I object, your honor.”
“You’re not in a position to object, Mr. Yohn,” Thomson replied. As Yohn continued to complain, Thomson told him, “Have a seat and stop talking, Mr. Yohn.”
Yohn didn’t stop, and Thomson said, “If you can’t stop talking, I’ll have you removed from the courtroom. You have counsel now representing you. That’s what attorneys are here for.”
As the hearing wound down, Yohn asked, “Can I ask a question, your honor?”
Thomson replied, “No. Ask your attorney.”
Yohn said, “Why don’t you get off my case then?” Three bailiffs escorted him from the courtroom as he used vulgarity while accusing the judge of performing oral sex on the male organ.
Thomson granted the continuance to Aug. 3.
Yohn, 35, is charged with home invasion, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated vehicular hijacking and aggravated criminal sexual assault with a weapon — all Class X felonies. He reportedly committed the crimes at the home of Christine “Tina” Schmitt, who died on Dec. 12.
At the beginning of the hearing, Thomson asked Yohn what the basis was for his ineffective assistance of counsel claim against Nelson. Yohn claimed Nelson allowed two weeks to pass before he reviewed any of the discovery in the case, and he said Nelson was on vacation for three days in early July as well.
“I filed on June 22 is a motion to discharge due to a statutory speedy trial violation,” Yohn said. “That has yet to be taken up. It’s been almost a month going on here. I’ve asked for a hearing as soon as possible right here. Let’s get some work done.”
Nelson said he was still reviewing “the massive amount of discovery in the case.”
Yohn had elected to defend himself Pro Se on May 11 after complaining several times to Thomson about public defender John Citro.
During the first day of his trial on June 21, Yohn complained about the composition of the jury list, claiming it wasn’t fair that “good people who have jobs and cars” were going to be on the jury and how he “didn’t stand a chance” in front of them. After Thomson denied his request for a continuance, Yohn took Thomson’s offer to receive assistance from the Adams County Public Defender’s office.
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