In court for his arraignment Tuesday morning, the man accused of damaging city vehicles and shooting at the Irvington police chief asked for a mental health evaluation and told the judge he wants to represent himself.
Lester Perks faces multiple charges, including attempted murder of a first responder, wanton endangerment, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon and a probation violation.
Authorities said the September 9 incident prompted a shelter-in-place order in Irvington after Perks allegedly used a hammer to damage city-owned vehicles. The order forced local schools and city government to close as a precaution.
A subsequent manhunt ensued for the next 24 hours. Investigators said Perks fired at the Irvington police chief’s patrol vehicle while fleeing law enforcement on September 10. The chief was not injured. Perks was located and taken into custody several hours later.
During his arraignment hearing Tuesday without an attorney, Perks told Judge Bradley Butler that he wants to represent himself.
“I represent myself,” Perks said. “Nobody’s going to represent me better than me.”
He also asked for a mental health evaluation.
“Well, first off, I’m a mental patient and I need to be evaluated, and y’all haven’t done it yet,” Perks said.
The judge did not respond to that request as Perks was in court for an arraignment hearing on the charges he faces.
Perks remains in the Breckenridge County Detention Center on a $25,000 bond. He is due back in court next week.
Source: WDRB+WAVE
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