Justice Diana Insanally has ordered armed robbery accused Orin Burnett to secure the services of a lawyer prior to the commencement of his trial on May 18.

Making her first appearance at the criminal assizes in the Ancient County on Tuesday, Justice Insanally issued the instruction after listening to the unrepresented Burnett telling the court that he could not find $150,000 for an attorney.

Before State Counsel Ganesh Hira presented the indictment, the Judge had inquired of the prisoner whether he had retained the services of a lawyer. Burnett said no and claimed to be a victim of the magistrate who conducted the preliminary inquiry.

He said he had spent eighteen months as a remanded prisoner and would need three months to retain a lawyer. “Your Worship, six weeks too quick, I have to find over $150,000 to give a lawyer. I am in jail all the time. I do not have anyone out there to help me,” he pleaded.

After pausing for a moment, the prisoner enquired of the court as to whether he could plea to a lesser count and, after being told no, he said, “I do not know anything about this case, but I plead guilty. Everyone has turned against me.”

However, after subsequent consultation between the State Counsel and Judge, the latter ordered that the trial start next month.