Judge won't allow man accused in Latasha Roundtree homicide to defend himself at trial

One of the men accused of shooting and killing Latasha Roundtree last year refused to answer a judge's questions Friday during a hearing to determine if the man could defend himself, as he has repeatedly requested.

Tajh M. Ross, 18, refused to cooperate with 6th Judicial District Chief Judge Patrick Grady and even told the judge "I object" at one point. Ross has written many letters to the court claiming his innocence and during the hearing was citing something from the Uniform Commercial Code, which concerns commercial law and has nothing to do with criminal law.

Ross is charged with first-degree murder, intimidation with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to commit a forcible felony and going armed with intent. He is accused of shooting a firearm into a car in which Roundtree, 19, of Cedar Rapids, was a passenger Sept. 22, 2012 in the 600 block of 16th Avenue SW. Four other men are also charged in the homicide.

Grady told Ross the code didn't have anything to do with the charges he faced or a criminal trial. Grady attempted to explain that Ross would have to answer his questions so he could determine if Ross was able and competent to represent himself at trial.

"Rights to notice," Ross repeatedly replied and never answer Grady's questions. Ross said "representation" means something else to him. He even denied "Mr. Ross," as Grady addressed him, was his name.

Grady said Ross wasn't competent to defend himself and denied his motion, saying Ross refused to recognize the position of the court.

Assistant Linn County Public Defender Douglas Davis asked the court to allow him to withdraw as Ross' attorney because Ross asked for him to withdraw and wouldn't communicate with him, but Grady denied his motion and ordered him to remain as Ross' lawyer.

The other co-defendants in the case are:

-Jeremiah Ellis, 18, of Cedar Rapids, charged with first-degree murder, intimidation with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to commit a forcible felony and going armed with intent.

-Adrian M. Kenney, 22, of Cedar Rapids, is charged with intimidation with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to commit a forcible felony, trafficking in stolen weapons, perjury and accessory after the fact, according to a criminal complaint.

-Liban Muhidin, 20, of Cedar Rapids, is charged with conspiracy to commit a forcible felony, perjury and accessory after the fact, according to a criminal complaint.

-Yasin Muhidin, 17, of unknown address, was charged with first-degree murder, intimidation with a dangerous weapon and trafficking in stolen  weapons, going armed with intent and  conspiracy to commit a forcible felony, an aggravated misdemeanor.

Yasin Muhidin is accused of killing Roundtree, 19, of Cedar Rapids, or aiding and abetting another who killed her Sept. 22, in the 600 block of 16th Ave. SW, according to a criminal complaint. He also is accused of supplying the firearm or aiding and abetting another who supplied the firearm used in the shooting.

Ellis is also accused of firing weapons into the car in which Roundtree was a passenger that night, according to a criminal complaint. There was others in the car with Roundtree but the complaint doesn't identify them.

Kenney and Muhidin are accused of being involved in the planning of the crime, supplying stolen firearms for the crime, disposing of evidence, helping others flee from the scene and providing false information to the Linn County Attorney's Office during depositions in December 2012 and January 2013.

Ross' trial is set Feb. 3.