Red light shooting suspect represents self

A Knoxville man accused of shooting out a red light camera represented himself in court on Thursday.

The judge warned him it was unusual considering the seriousness of the charges. Clifford Clark is charged with vandalism and reckless endangerment.

"It was an adrenaline rush--scared, nervous-- I enjoyed it," Clark said of representing himself. "I sky dive, fly aerobatics, so I did like the adrenaline."

Clark went from computer engineer to his very own counsel on Thursday. He's accused of shooting out the red light camera near Broadway and I-640 in late November.

Clark insists police nabbed the wrong man.

"Officer, did you witness me or anyone else shooting at the traffic camera?" Clark asked the witness.

"No, sir," said Knoxville Police Officer Jason Keck.

"Thank you. Your honor, may I make a motion for dismissal please?" Clark responded.

Two Knoxville police officers did, however, testify that they heard several shots in that area, then saw Clark driving out of the Pittman Automotive parking lot and pulled him over.

The officers said they found a rifle and a box of bullets with four missing inside his minivan. "Point out the damage to the camera to the court please," Clark asked the witness.

"You can't on the picture," Officer James Cox replied.

"Why not?" asked Clark.

"Because you have a poor quality picture," the officer replied.

"I think we have a poor quality witness," Clark said.

The judge eventually took a recess so everyone connected to the case could watch a video Clark handed out to the press last week.

Clark says the police video shows the officers tampering with evidence, but the court wasn't convinced.

A grand jury will now decide whether the accused red light shooter will stand trial.

That's when Clark will decide if he'll play lawyer again. "I will consult with an attorney, but what I will need to do is make a few sky dives between now and then, to get the adrenaline worked out, then decide whether to hire an attorney."

Clark says he is guilty of urinating in public, which is why police found him where they did. He also says he has never received a ticket for running that particular red light.

Before Thursday's hearing, Clark gave teddy bears that said, "Save the Cliff" to all the reporters.

Clark tried to give one to the assistant district attorney general handling the case, but she gave it back.