JACKSON COUNTY — A 27-year-old Carbondale man charged with the death of a former Salem woman has decided to represent himself at trial in October after dismissing his third attorney since his 2016 arrest.

Robert Dennis is accused along with 24-year-old Tiesha Anderson and 24-year-old Lauren Stinde of the 2016 murder of Robin Stief and the burning of her remains in a wooded area in Carbondale.

In Jackson County court hearing Friday Dennis was reportedly disruptive and frequently interrupted proceedings.

He first broached the subject of representing himself during a hearing on Thursday.

The judge advised Dennis that if he were to proceed on his own the court could not provide him with legal advice or assistance and he would not be given extra time in the law library.

Dennis reportedly hesitated on Thursday before again insisting he wanted to represent himself.

The judge advised Dennis to consider his decision overnight and ordered the hearing to be continued until Friday.

On Friday Dennis insisted his attorney be dismissed and that he be allowed to represent himself, which the court then allowed.

Late last year the defense raised a doubt as to Dennis’ mental fitness to stand trial. An evaluation was conducted and he was ultimately found fit to stand trial on the two first-degree murder charges and the Class 3 felony charge of concealing a homicidal death.

Anderson has recently been ordered to undergo a mental fitness examination before she proceeds to trial. Stinde pleaded guilty a few months after the trio was arrested.