NORWICH – Eight individuals facing a variety of felony and misdemeanor charges appeared in county court Wednesday – four sentenced, three pleading not guilty and one arguing a motion to proceed without the representation of an attorney.

• Barry L. E. Rattley, 28, Brooklyn, appeared in county court to argue a motion to defend himself at all future court proceedings, claiming Chenango County Public Defender John Cameron’s workload would prevent him from putting forth the effort to represent Rattley.

Rattley was indicted by a Chenango County grand jury in October on charges of third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class B felony; and fifth degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class D felony.

It’s alleged that Rattley, in August of 2012 in the City of Norwich, did knowingly and unlawfully possess – with the intent to sell – 21 glassine envelopes containing the narcotic heroin, as well as four plastic wraps containing the narcotic cocaine, with an aggregate weight of .65 grams. Rattley is also facing a second indictment in Chenango County after being charged in late October with two additional counts of third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. According to Chenango County First Assistant District Attorney Stephen Dunshee, Rattley, who had posted bail following his original arraignment, failed to appear in court and was arrested a second time, again found to be in possession of heroin and other illegal substances not disclosed by police.

Acting Chenango County Court Judge Julie A. Campbell said she “couldn’t imagine” why, with the seriousness of the charges brought against him, Rattley would want to proceed without counsel.

“Have you ever heard the saying, ‘An individual that represents himself has a fool for a client,’?” asked Campbell, to which Rattley replied, “Sounds like something a lawyer made up.”

Campbell responded that the saying actually states, “A lawyer that represents himself has a fool for a client.”

As a potential persistent felon due to his criminal history, Rattley could be facing two life sentences in state prison if convicted on both criminal possession indictments. He was returned to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $500,000 cash bail and will re-appear in court at a later date.

• Delos J. Holmes, 36, Norwich, pleaded guilty to one count of first degree criminal sex act, a class B felony, and is expected to be sentenced to ten years in state prison with six years post release supervision.

Holmes was indicted by a Chenango County grand jury in November on two counts of the class B felony, in addition to two counts of first degree incest, also a class B felony; one count of second degree rape, a class D felony; and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, a class A misdemeanor. According to his indictment, Holmes, during the month of May 2010 in the Town of Plymouth, engaged in sexual conduct with a person less than 11 years old, committing the crime of rape or criminal sexual act against a person whom he knew to be related to him. The second degree rape charge stemmed from allegations that Holmes had sexual intercourse with a female relative under the age of 15.

Holmes was returned to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $100,000 cash bail and will re-appear in court at a later date.

• Kenneth E. T. Oefelein, 22, Afton, was sentenced to one year at the Chenango County Correctional Facility, with credit for time served, after pleading guilty to one count of failure to register as a sex offender, a class E felony.

Oefelein was indicted by a Chenango County grand jury in August, accused of failing to register with the Division of Criminal Justice Services within ten days of changing his address. It was alleged that Oefelein, in March of 2012, moved from 97 Briarwood Circle, Goosecreek, SC, to 441 Beebe Road, Coventry, and as of June 13 had not registered with the Sex Offender Unit, over the ten days required to do so.