Erick Buhr, the man accused of murdering his grandmother, Viola Erb, is now representing himself in his second-degree murder trial.

The jury returned to the courtroom Friday, where Judge Gerry Taylor informed them that Buhr would no longer be represented by Bruce Ritter.

“Erick Buhr has the right to continue his trial without an attorney,” Taylor told the jury. “Don’t guess why Erick Buhr is no longer represented by Mr. Ritter.”

The judge added that this development has nothing to do with the eventual decision the jury will have to make about whether Buhr is guilty.

“It’s not proof. This has no place in your deliberations,” Taylor said.

The jury last went to court a week ago, when Buhr finished his cross-examination. He says he didn’t kill Erb. The 88-year-old woman was found seriously injured on her kitchen floor on September 24, 2022. She was pronounced dead shortly after first responders arrived.

The trial resumes Friday morning with closing speeches from both sides. Taylor noted that, as the penal code dictates, Buhr will give his maiden speech.