Yigal Amir seeks self-representation, later regrets

Yigal Amir, assassin of late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, appeared Tuesday in the Nazareth District Court for a hearing on the State's motion to extend his solitary confinement for an additional six months.

Amir initially asked court president Justice David Cheshin to represent himself and not employ the services of the Public Defender's Office, but later regretted the decision.

After his initial request he was presented with the State's file by a State Prosecutor's Office representative and while reviewing it, Cheshin stressed he should be aware of the significance of self-representation.

When asked whether he would like to represent himself or be represented by a public defender he replied, "I wish to commence the hearing and I will later decide whether I seek representation."

The judge stressed that he had to choose one of the two options and that should he waive representation it would be the end of the process. Amir thought the matter over and then asked to be appointed with an attorney for the hearing.

Cheshin attempted to bring in an lawyer, however Amir stated that an attorney should be allowed to review the State's motion and therefore the judge postponed the hearing for January 20.

Towards the end of the hearing, Amir addressed Cheshin and noted that he had only received the hearing's summons the previous night, and the justice ordered that from that point on, motions filed by the Prison Service should be served to the prisoner on the same day.

He then granted Amir's request to postpone the hearing, which would allow him to consult with a court appointed attorney. Cheshin ruled that Amir would continue being confined according to the existing conditions.

The last decision regarding the extension of his solitary confinement was made on September 14.