Accused Killer To Ask Judge To Represent Himself

A man is expected to ask a judge Friday if he can represent himself against charges that he killed a Palm Springs transient.

David Reed, 51, faces a first-degree murder charge, as well as a special circumstance allegation of lying in wait, in the March 9, 2004, slaying of Ricky Mosley near Billy Reed’s Restaurant Bakery & Bar on North Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs.

He faces the death penalty if convicted.

Reed, who is currently represented by attorney John Patrick Dolan, is expected to make the request Friday to Riverside County Superior Court Judge James Hawkins, according to court records.

Prosecutors are not expected to object to Reed’s request.

“He has that right. It will be up to the judge to make that determination on how best to proceed,” said Michael Jeandron, a spokesman for the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office.

Police allege Reed stabbed Mosley because he believed the homeless man had tried to rape his wife.

While in custody on an unrelated case, Reed asked to speak with Palm Springs police detectives and told them circumstances of Mosley’s death, according to a declaration in support of an arrest warrant.

Reed also told detectives the location of the murder weapon, which had been buried in Palm Springs, and a description of the victim’s clothing, the document states.