A McAdoo man with a history of disruptive court outbursts can represent himself at trial on multiple charges related to online threats he allegedly made against President Donald Trump and another person and his flight to avoid prosecution, a federal judge ruled.
U.S. District Judge Robert D. Mariani granted Shawn Christy’s request to represent himself following a closed-door hearing Tuesday, according to court records. The judge appointed attorney David Cherundolo as standby counsel to assist Christy at trial, which is set to begin Nov. 11. Cherundolo replaces federal public defenders Elliot Smith and Heidi Freese.
Christy, 27, was indicted on July 10, 2018, for posting online threats against Trump and Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli. Christy fled and remained on the lam until Sept. 21, when he was captured in Ohio. Additional indictments filed on Nov. 27 and Dec. 11 charge Christy with crimes he allegedly committed while on the run and with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Christy has a history of disrupting court proceedings, often interrupting attorneys and judges. At an Oct. 26, 2018, hearing to determine if he should be released on bail, U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph Saporito admonished Christy several times to remain quiet. Christy later launched into an obscenity-laced tirade as he was led from the courtroom.
Despite being represented by Smith and Freese, Christy filed multiple motions on his own behalf. One of those motions apparently requested he be permitted to represent himself. The motion was not available for public viewing because it was sealed.
Mariani granted the motion Tuesday and terminated Smith and Freese from the case. Mariani’s reasoning in granting the motion is not known because the hearing on the matter was closed to the public.
In addition to the federal case, Christy also faces trial on charges in Schuylkill, Carbon and Luzerne counties.
In Schuylkill County, he has two cases pending — one for allegedly assaulting former McAdoo Mayor Stephan Holly and the other for allegedly harassing McAdoo police Patrolman Frederick J. Lahovski Jr. In Carbon County, he faces charges in three cases involving thefts and a break-in at a private residence. In Luzerne County, he is charged with breaking into his uncle’s house in Butler Twp.
Court records indicate Christy also represents himself in each of those cases with the assistance of standby counsel.
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