Alleged Shooting Spree Maniac Wants to Be His Own Lawyer, Because Sure, Why Not?

In a court appearance that was as ridiculous as it was infuriating, former U.S. Army officer and accused multicounty shooting rampage enthusiast, Shane James Jr., decided he'd like to play lawyer now, too. Because who needs qualified legal representation when you can just DIY, right?

This genius appeared in the 147th Travis County Criminal District Court in front of Judge Clifford Brown and actually had the audacity to say he wasn't happy with his lawyers. Why? Because they wanted to check if he was crazy. I mean, who does that, right? His exact words were that a mental competency check would be "baseless." Sure, because killing six people is just a regular Tuesday for this guy.

The judge, trying not to roll his eyes into oblivion, explained that even if James were to represent himself, the court would still require that mental competency check. You know, just to make sure he's not completely off his rocker. Brown recommended he stick with his lawyers, but who knows what goofy idea this guy will come up with next.

James is facing a shopping list of charges in Travis County: four capital murder charges, two attempted capital murder charges, and one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Oh, and let's not forget the three out-of-county misdemeanors and another capital murder charge in Bexar County. This guy's been busy.

Looking like a shadow of his former mugshot self—gaunt and sporting a beard—James spoke to the court like a timid little mouse. Stumbling over his words, he was a far cry from the cold-blooded killer the authorities say he is.

Speaking of which, authorities claim that James, in a fit of "impending doom," killed his parents, Phyllis and Shane James Sr., before taking his show on the road to Austin. There, he allegedly knocked off Emmanuel Pop Ba, Sabrina Rahman, Katherine Short, and Lauren Short, while injuring three others, including two brave-but-unlucky cops.

His siblings spilled the beans to the authorities, saying James has schizophrenia and has been "mentally decompensating" since his discharge from the army in 2015. Yeah, no kidding.

This is a developing story. Check back for more updates on this lunatic's legal adventure.