Robber blames 2nd "personality" for crimes

An appeals court has vacated the conviction of a man accused of robbing the same Atlanta bank twice in 2004. An 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel said Friday it was not clear that Michael A. Diaz effectively waived his right to a jury trial. Diaz claimed another personality had been "re-earthed" into his body and was innocent of crimes blamed on Diaz. Experts disagreed on his mental competence, but once a federal judge ruled he was fit to stand trial, Diaz refused to recognize the court's authority. He said he wanted a hearing before the International World Court and did not want jurors "infringed" upon him. He refused to sign a jury waiver form because that would be surrendering to the court's jurisdiction.

(Associated Press)