NEW ORLEANS, LA— In 2012, New Orleans dancer Jaren Lockhart was killed, dismembered, and dumped into the Gulf. Her body parts washed up in Pass Christian. Now the man police say is responsible is on trial.
And not only is Terry Speaks on trial, he’s representing himself.
The Times-Picayune of New Orleans says Speaks has asked to represent himself. The judge told him it was a bad idea, but his public defender is on stand-by for advisement.
Speaks and his then girlfriend, Margaret Sanchez are both being tried separately for the murder. Investigators say Speaks and Sanchez killed Lockhart at the Speaks home in Kenner, Louisiana after meeting the dancer in a club.
A day later, Lockhart’s dismembered torso washed up in Hancock County.
Nine jurors have been selected for the case. Testimony begins today.
