Judge Sidney Stein
Dratel was the third attorney appointed to represent Bejaoui. At the Dec. 23, 2010, appointment hearing, the court told Bejaoui that "absent ‘very unusual circumstances’" Dratel was his last attorney. After questions arose as to trial competence, Bejaoui underwent extensive psychological evaluation. After a two-day hearing the court concluded, in October 2012, that Bejaoui was competent to stand trial. In late November 2012after again expressing dissatisfaction with legal representationBejaoui applied to represent himself. Despite finding Bejaoui competent to proceed pro se, the court appointed Dratel as standby counsel and adjourned trial to Jan. 16, 2013. On that date Bejaoui waived his right to represent himself. The court reappointed Dratel as counsel and told Bejaoui that "[he would] not get another attorney." District court denied Bejaoui’s March 5, 2013, letter seeking Dratel’s relief and another lawyer’s appointment. It had twice granted requests to change counsel. Further trial was scheduled to begin shortly and Bejaoui "tend[ed] to manipulate the legal system to [his] end." The court had previously concluded that "[Bejaoui] consider[ed] his noncooperative behavior to be a method of influencing his attorneys."
