Man accused of ambushing officer disrupts jury selection

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A man accused of ambushing and shooting a Philadelphia police officer disrupted his jury selection, telling potential jurors his court appointed lawyers don’t represent him.

Before 60 prospective jurors were led into court in Philadelphia, 32-year-old Edward Archer told the judge his attorneys don’t represent him and repeated the statement while potential jurors were present Monday. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports defense attorney Trevan Borum argued Archer’s statement Monday shows he is not competent to stand trial.

The judge previously agreed with the prosecution in ruling that Archer is aware of the charges and is choosing not to cooperate.

Archer’s charges include attempted murder and aggravated assault in the unprovoked January 2016 attack on Officer Jesse Hartnett in his patrol car. Hartnett spent two weeks in the hospital.

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Information from: The Philadelphia Inquirer, http://www.inquirer.com