|
A physician convicted of abusing horses in Wise County plans to represent herself in an appeal, a move that legal experts say is unusual in a high-profile criminal case. But Dr. Elizabeth Rohr is used to surprising people. The 45-year-old general practitioner gained notoriety in August when she fled to south Texas with her five children, then ages 3 to 11, to avoid a child-custody ruling. TV cameras showed her making obscene gestures with both hands as she headed to a court appearance. And she tried to escape from a hospital room after fainting during her arrest in the child-custody case. Since then, she has been jailed several times on charges including animal abuse and probation violation. She is now free on bond and living in Roanoke, according to her former attorney, Patrick Davis. Rohr could not be reached for comment. Her fiance, Scott Wass, did not return phone calls seeking comment. Toll Brothers, a national developer with a Dallas office, is negotiating to buy her former Southlake home and plans to build an upscale housing development. Rohr's medical license is up for review in November, Texas State Board of Medical Examiners records show. … Charles Silver, a professor at the University of Texas Law School in Austin, said people who represent themselves take on a "considerable handicap." He called it a risky move. "There are reasons why people use lawyers in court," said Silver, who is not familiar with this case. "Lawyers know how to do it better."
For a copy of the complete article, contact CJRG. |