I’m confused as to how this would work; my understanding is that the Q&A format is fairly strictly enforced, and witnesses can’t just spout except as a response to a direct question - would you have to pull a zootopia?
But of course if you can’t, that would be pretty damn limiting if you literally aren’t allowed to speak in your own defense.
Not that it’s ever a good idea, of course - but how does it work?
I mean you don’t have to just assume guilt. People representing themselves never do well. There’s a reason why it’s said representing yourself is taking on an idiot for a client.
I’ve seen a few cases self represent (outside small claims). They all lost. It was beautiful in its train-wreckiness. One got an appeal (!) because the judge didn’t do his due diligence in making sure the dude was competent to be his own attorney and it turns out he wasn’t, so it was remanded back to trial court. Where he represented himself again. Kinda made me chuckle, that one.