Pierre Haobsh, the Oceanside man found guilty of murdering a Goleta-area family in 2016, will represent himself for the April sentencing hearing in Santa Barbara County Superior Court.
Haobsh, 32, was found guilty of killing Santa Barbara Herb Clinic founder Dr. Weidong “Henry” Han, 57; his wife, Huijie “Jennie” Yu, 29; and their 5-year-old daughter, Emily. The family was found slain and wrapped in plastic wrap in their garage on Greenhill Way near Goleta on March 23, 2016.
The prosecution initially pursued the death penalty in the case, but death was taken off the table when Haobsh waived his right to a jury trial and instead had the court trial with a judge determining the verdict. Judge Brian Hill presided over the court trial and found Haobsh guilty in November.
Haobsh testified in his own defense for several days during the trial and gave his version of events leading up to the day of the killings.
Haobsh was represented by deputy public defenders Christine Voss and Michael Hanley.
After the trial and guilty verdict, Haobsh petitioned the court to represent himself for the rest of the criminal case.
As summarized in a brief filed by the Public Defender’s Office, Haobsh wanted to file motions alleging ineffective assistance of counsel, which Voss, being his counsel, could not conduct herself.
Hill declined the appointment of a conflict counsel, saying the case was too complex for a new attorney to catch up on quickly, and said the concerns of ineffective assistance of counsel could be handled by writ or on appeal, Voss wrote in the brief.
“Mr. Haobsh has unequivocally indicated his desire to represent himself for the remainder of the case,” Voss wrote.
When someone in custody represents themselves, they typically are allowed to keep the case file and other court documents in their cell, and may have additional resources in the jail, Voss noted.
Hill ordered a psychological evaluation of Haobsh, and the report found him competent to waive his right to counsel.
On Tuesday, Hill granted the request and Haobsh will represent himself for the rest of the case, Voss said.
The judge asked Haobsh whether he was sure about the decision and whether he was comfortable with it, knowing what he was up against, Voss said.
Hill continued the sentencing hearing, where Haobsh faces the possibility of three life sentences, to April 15 so the defendant has time to file motions if he wants.
The sentencing hearing has been continued several times already, and the judge made it very clear on Tuesday that the sentencing hearing would not be delayed again, Voss said.
Haobsh is being held without bail in the Santa Barbara County Jail, where he has been since his 2016 arrest.
— Noozhawk managing editor Giana Magnoli can be reached at gmagnoli@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.