Suspect in cold cases asks to represent himself at trial

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. -- A Nevada man charged with killing four women whose bodies were found in rural areas across Northern California asked a judge Wednesday whether he could act as his own lawyer.

Joseph Naso, 77, addressed the court for the first time during the brief hearing in Marin County Superior Court in California.

"I've decided, looking at the big picture and everything I'm facing, that now I will represent myself," Naso said.

Naso is accused of killing four women in the 1970s and 1990s who had matching initials for their first and last names: Carmen Colon, Roxene Roggasch, Pamela Parsons and Tracy Tafoya. Investigators elsewhere in the country are reviewing other cold cases for similarities.

Judge Andrew Sweet took the request into consideration but warned Naso that it could undermine his case.

Sweet set another hearing for May 5.