Yavorcik asks to represent himself in Oakhill case

CLEVELAND

Martin Yavorcik, one of the defendants in the Oakhill Renaissance Place criminal-corruption case, wants the trial judge to let him defend himself.

In a motion filed today, Mark Lavelle, Yavorcik’s attorney, asked Judge Janet R. Burnside of Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, who is overseeing this trial, to honor his client’s request to have him removed as counsel and have the defendant, an attorney since 1999, defend himself.

In an affidavit attached to the motion, Yavorcik wrote: “I have read and reviewed every part of discovery [evidence] provided by the state of Ohio and am ready, willing, and able to defend myself against each and every allegation made in the amended indictment in this matter. Further, I have been actively involved since [the] date of indictment in the participation of my defense.”

Yavorcik also wrote that he is prepared to begin on the Feb. 29 start date for the trial.

Read more of the latest in this case in Friday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.