Any way you look at it, this Associated Press story in today’s Missoulian is sad. But every time we read something like this, we can’t help but think of the old quote, “He who is his own lawyer has a fool for a client.”
It’s been variously attributed to Abraham Lincoln, Clarence Darrow and, simply, generic proverbs. No matter who said it, there’s a reason it’s repeated so often.
KALISPELL – A 27-year-old man who shot his father to death as a teen in their Ferndale home wants to represent himself as prosecutors try to extend his time in prison for allegedly violating the conditions of his release.
Terry Olson, who appeared in District Court on Thursday, is accused of violating his parole by assaulting his girlfriend and drinking alcohol in March. The remaining years of his sentence were reinstated, and he has been jailed since Aug. 25.
Olson was 14 when he shot 43-year-old Edwin John Olson in the head on May 20, 1998. He said at the time he thought killing his father was the only way to end the abuse he endured.
Gwen Florio