TOLEDO, OH (Toledo News Now) - Melody Williams of Toledo appeared in court Tuesday for the first day of testimony as she stands trial for murder.
What's unique about Williams' trial is that she fired her attorneys and is now representing herself.
"Everyone has the right to represent themselves," said Jerry Phillips, an attorney. "The old cliché is then you have a fool for a client."
Williams is accused of shooting and killing L.C. Lyons, and then setting fire to his home with him still inside, on July 4, 2011. If convicted, she could spend the rest of her life in jail.
During Tuesday's proceedings, Williams was seen taking notes and cross-examining three of the witnesses.
And although she fired her attorneys, Williams was not without some legal aid.
"If she has a question while the trial is going on, a procedural question or an evidentiary question, she can turn to them and ask for advice as to what's going on," Phillips explained. "They don't actually actively participate."
It still remains to be seen whether or not Williams will be able to win the case for herself.
"It's really just a question of the evidence," Phillips said. "Will the state have enough evidence to convict her? And is she able to present enough evidence from her standpoint, or cross-examine witnesses that are presented for the state in order to put a reasonable doubt in the mind of the jurors?"
Testimony is set to continue Wednesday.
