The murder trial of Vincent Lovelace Lowe got off to a rocky start this week. Unsatisfied with his court-appointed attorney, Lowe interrupted Tuesday’s proceedings to say he would represent himself.

The interruption came during District Attorney Charlotte Tesmer’s questioning of Lowe’s former roommate, an alleged witness of the 2013 shooting death of Albert Lee.

“I’ll take over from here,” Lowe said, standing up.

Lowe’s family members also reacted to the testimony. His mother and sister had to be removed from the courtroom and were charged with contempt of court, after failing to heed the judge’s warnings to remain quiet.

After a short recess, Lowe performed the cross examination of his former roommate and attempted to establish that both men feared Lee.

A second witness for the prosecution said she saw a man stand over Lee’s body and shoot him in the head.

“He walked up to him and shot him three times,” she said.

During the testimony of a forensic expert, Lowe asked his attorney to handle the questioning.

Authorities say Lee was shot in the head after an alleged argument over drugs and money in December 2013. He was killed near the intersection of Hwy. 97 and Upper Bozeman Road, which is near the Davenport community.

Lowe was charged with the murder Dec. 5, 2013. The trial is expected to continue today at the Crenshaw County Courthouse.

Because of the case, commissioners voted to make an emergency hire of extra security.

The County Commission plans to solicit bids for additional security and take measures a guard is at the front entrance of the courthouse five days a week.