Brown supporters lawyer up, or not

One defendant will represent himself and another will keep his lawyer as the case of four men charged with helping convicted tax evaders Ed and Elaine Brown moves toward trial.

Judge George Singal expressed misgivings but consented yesterday to Daniel Riley's request to represent himself, with an attorney on standby. He questioned Riley seriously about his understanding of the charges, his rights, and court proceedings and said a lawyer could be reappointed later if necessary.

"I think it is unwise for you to try to defend yourself," Singal said to Riley, who faces four felony counts and a possible life sentence if convicted.

"Do you understand that if you represent yourself, I won't be able to advise you in your case?" Singal asked Riley.

Yes, Riley answered.

Riley, of Cohoes, N.Y., had his own question: "Are all words used in the charges used in the constitutional sense?"

"I have no idea. I can't understand your question at present," Singal answered.

Riley is charged with conspiring against United States officers, conspiring against the government, being an accessory after the fact and possessing a firearm in connection with a crime of violence. He is one of four men accused of helping the Browns avoid capture by U.S. Marshals while holed up at their home in Plainfield.

Another suspect, Robert Wolffe, initially had been scheduled to plead guilty in the case; but the subject of the hearing changed after Wolffe, of Randolph, Vt., submitted paperwork to fire his court-appointed lawyer, Paul Garrity of Londonderry.

Singal withdrew Wolffe's request to dismiss Garrity amid open requests to the court, including one for a bail hearing. He said Wolffe could try again later to seek a new lawyer, but also gave a warning.

"If you keep saying, 'I want a new one' . . . you're not going to find a friendly face in me." Singal said.

Wolffe said he felt his lawyer "ran (him) into a corner" by trying to persuade him to accept a plea deal.

Wolffe, 50, is charged with conspiring against officers, conspiring against the government and being an accessory after the fact.

The trial is scheduled to begin Jan. 28.

By BEVERLEY WANG

The Associated Press