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Conviction Upheld for Mainer Who Was Denied Right to Lawyer

PORTLAND, Maine - Maine's highest court has upheld the robbery conviction of a man who was stripped of his right to a court-appointed attorney because he couldn't get along with five previous lawyers.

The Supreme Judicial Court ruled unanimously Tuesday that Joshua Nisbet willfully waived his right to counsel through his behavior, which included threats. It also found that Nisbet's actions proved detrimental to justice, and that the judge had no lesser alternative.

Nisbet handled his own defense in 2014 with two standby attorneys who also represented him at his sentencing. He was convicted and sentenced to seven years.

His latest appeal was handled by lawyer No. 8.

Nisbet may be the first criminal defendant in Maine forced to represent himself after being stripped of his constitutional right to an attorney.