The fact that he was awaiting trial for murder and was charged with twice trying to kill his daughter did not prevent him from access to the same rights as any other citizen, so long as he was not yet convicted. Since anyone has the right of self-representation in court provided that he or she cooperates with rules and required conduct, nobody could stop him from representing himself in his challenge for the custody of the youngest daughter. He was adamant that the little girl be kept with someone who remained under his control.Tasha knew her father was going to try to manipulate her into sounding like a liar for speaking out about the crimes. She knew he was going to try to maneuver her into helping him get back out onto the street. She also knew that if she tried to ignore the command to appear in court, she would be held in contempt and left to face fines she could not pay, perhaps even jail time too bitter and ironic to endure.On the morning of Wednesday, January 6, 1988, she sat in the gallery of Los Angeles Juvenile Court waiting to begin her testimony.
