Young Colored Thug Eric Gooch represents himself in federal trial, admits to robberies

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Eric Gooch on Tuesday told the jurors who will decide how he spends the rest of his life that he did what the prosecutors accused him of doing.

"I did all the stuff they say I did," Gooch said. "But that's irrelevant."

The Cleveland man, who elected to represent himself at his armed robbery trial, then proceeded to talk about God, the thoughts of other people and who is making the decisions for all of us.

Gooch, 24, is charged in federal court for his role in three armed robberies  between January and March 2013. Prosecutors say Gooch helped plan all three robberies and was one of two armed men who went into PNC Bank on Harvard Avenue and stole $158,831 from the bank's safe in February 2013.

He was indicted that year on robbery, conspiracy and firearms charges. If convicted, he faces a minimum of 57 years in prison on the firearms charges alone. Factoring in the other charges, Gooch could face a life term.

U.S. District Judge Solomon Oliver Jr. previously found that Gooch was competent to stand trial.

Attorney Jeff Hastings was appointed to be standby counsel should Gooch need assistance.

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