A homeless man facing charges for the fatal stabbing of a 24-year-old UCLA graduate student in a Hancock Park furniture store will no longer act as his own attorney following an outburst during his court appearance. Superior Court Judge Mildred Escobedo revoked Shawn Laval Smith’s right to represent himself after he directed profanities at her and abruptly rose from his seat. He will now be represented by defense attorney Robert Haberer. Smith was seen on surveillance video leaving the store via a rear alley after the attack and was subsequently spotted shopping at other stores. His extensive criminal history dates back over a decade, with over a dozen arrests in three states. Brianna Kupfer’s body was found 15 minutes after she texted a friend that there was someone in the location giving her a bad vibe. Smith, now 33, was initially charged with murder and a knife use allegation and faces the potential of a life prison term without parole if convicted as charged. However, prosecutors have chosen not to seek the death penalty. Dozens of mourners gathered outside the furniture store for a vigil celebrating Kupfer’s life and decrying the senselessness of her death.
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