A recent federal court filing alleges that an indigent defendant with documented mental and physical disabilities was left to stand trial without legal representation or adequate accommodations, raising questions about compliance with constitutional protections for defendants in criminal proceedings. The complaint, submitted by Bubba Jonathan Whitman on March 13, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, names Judge Anthony Eaves, Assistant District Attorney Ted R. Broyles, and the Vernon Parish Public Defender’s Office as defendants.
According to the filing, Whitman does not challenge his underlying conviction but instead seeks a declaration that his Sixth Amendment right to counsel and Fourteenth Amendment right to due process were violated during his prosecution. The complaint states that after initially being provided counsel through the Public Defender’s Office, Whitman’s attorney withdrew from the case. The office declined to provide substitute counsel despite Whitman’s indigency and documented disabilities.
The court proceeded with criminal proceedings against Whitman without appointing new counsel, obtaining a waiver of counsel, or assessing his competency to waive legal representation. The filing asserts that “the trial court did not conduct any inquiry into whether Plaintiff knowingly and intelligently waived counsel,” referencing established Supreme Court precedents such as Faretta v. California and Gideon v. Wainwright regarding the fundamental nature of the right to counsel.
Whitman also describes multiple restrictions imposed during his trial preparations and proceedings. He reports being denied access to essential tools for self-representation: “a laptop to review or play video or body camera footage; a legal portfolio binder… because it had a zipper; a notepad or pen…; [and] law books from the courthouse library.” Additionally, he was barred from entering with his registered service dog, which he says caused significant emotional distress and further limited his ability to participate in his defense.
The complaint provides background on events leading up to the criminal case. On June 4, 2025, Whitman was transported to Byrd Regional Hospital following an altercation before being transferred to Shreveport Behavioral Health Hospital. He was discharged on June 10, 2025, after medical professionals determined he was not a danger to himself or others. Concerns about potential privacy violations under HIPAA are mentioned but are noted as context rather than part of the constitutional claims.
On July 2, 2025, Whitman was arrested for misdemeanor stalking—later booked with felony stalking—and bonded out on July 18, 2025. He maintains that his actions prior to arrest were lawful activities within his neighborhood and related interactions with hospital personnel.
The complaint argues that these combined circumstances—a lack of legal representation despite clear need and denial of basic tools—constitute what is described as a “structural constitutional violation” rendering the trial fundamentally unfair. Under Count I (Sixth Amendment), Whitman asserts: “Proceeding to trial without counsel and without a valid waiver constitutes a violation of the Sixth Amendment.” Under Count II (Fourteenth Amendment), he alleges deprivation of meaningful participation in trial proceedings: “Plaintiff was deprived of meaningful ability to participate in his trial and defend himself,” compounded by probation requirements he claims are burdensome given his disability and financial status.
Whitman requests declaratory relief from the court declaring that proceeding against an indigent defendant without ensuring legal representation or valid waiver violates constitutional rights under both amendments cited. He also asks for preservation of rights to seek injunctive relief or monetary damages if appropriate in future proceedings.
The case is filed pro se by Bubba Jonathan Whitman under Civil Action No. 2:26-cv-00833 in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana.
Source: 226cv833_Bubba_Jonathan_v_Anthony_Eaves_Complaint_Western_District_of_Louisiana.pdf
