OKC Man Facing The Death Penalty Defends Himself During Murder Trial

An Oklahoma City man, who is facing the death penalty, acted as his own attorney on Monday at his first-degree murder trial.

Derrick Laday was charged with first-degree murder and several other crimes in 2017 in connection to the killing of 34-year-old Dennis Johnson, Jr.

Authorities said Laday and several others set Johnson’s body on fire in 2015 and dumped the evidence in Ada.

One the first day of jury selection for the trial, the judge asked potential jurors if Laday was found guilty of first-degree murder could they sentence him to death, life in prison or life in prison without parole. Most jurors agreed they could pick one of the punishments.

However, a few jurors were dismissed after voicing their objections to the death penalty.

The case dates back to June 2015 when authorities found the charred remains of Johnson in Ada, Oklahoma.

Investigators said Johnson was killed in Oklahoma City and then wrapped in blankets and trash bags. His body was driven to Ada where the suspects dumped him under a bridge and set him on fire with gasoline.

A passerby saw the fire and called 911.

Caller: "It just seems to be getting worse and I don’t know if there’s somebody under there or what.”

Police eventually arrested eight people, including Laday, his brother and their girlfriends, in connection with Johnson's death.

Laday is the only suspect who has not been convicted or had charges dismissed.

Last year, a judge allowed Laday to represent himself in the trial, despite the judge warning him of the hazards. He will have a stand-by attorney at his side throughout the trial and the sentencing phase.

Laday told News 9 the reason he is defending himself in court.

“I felt the state was pretty much turning everyone else against me,” Laday said. “I know they can’t turn me against me.”

Jury selection is expected to last several days.