South Florida

Man Charged in Mother's Death to Defend Himself at Trial

A Coral Springs man charged in the stabbing death of his mother will defend himself in front of a Broward jury this week.

The South Florida Sun Sentinel reports 34-year-old Dee Etienne has elected to represent himself in his second-degree murder case.

Etienne is accused of stabbing 53-year-old Joceleine Pericles to death in front of multiple witnesses outside the duplex where they lived in 2012. He has been in custody since then.

Etienne has been found competent to stand trial more than once. The law does not allow judges to force defendants to retain a lawyer or a public defender.

Etienne completed jury selection with a prosecutor on Monday. Opening statements are scheduled for Tuesday morning.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us