Ricky Smith Jr.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The man charged after he allegedly carjacked a woman’s car failed to convince Magistrate Judge Randy McEwen that he should be allowed to represent himself in court.
Thirty-nine-year-old Ricky Ray Smith Jr. is charged with robbery, felony flee and elude, driving while suspended and felony criminal damage to property.
He complained during the hearing Wednesday that he can’t get a hold of Public Defender Jesse Landes. He filed a motion on his own requesting that Landes be relieved as his attorney, but admitted he was having trouble explaining why. That caused Assistant District Attorney Andrew Davidson to tell the judge that he shouldn’t represent himself, saying Landes does an adequate job with all his clients. The judge agreed and denied the request.
Smith then indicated that he would try to get his own attorney, saying he wouldn’t communicate with Landes, believing he would tell the state what his defense might be. The judge advised him that would not help him with his case.
Smith allegedly removed a local woman from her vehicle forcibly and took off, which led to a chase with law enforcement into the county, where eventually he was captured.
Bond in the case is set at $12,250 and the case is pending a preliminary hearing.