D’Sant Angelo to Represent Herself for Sentencing

In an ironic twist, Denise D’Sant Angelo — who, among other things, was found guilty of unlawful practice of law by a Santa Barbara jury in May — will represent herself in her financial elder abuse case during the sentencing phase, set for Monday.

D’Sant Angelo, who already completed a term behind bars after being convicted in March 2010 of stealing money from a fund designed to go to a group of nuns, told Judge Frank Ochoa Monday morning she did not want to be represented by the public defender’s office, a couple weeks after dropping her private attorney Joe Allen, who represented her during her second trial.

D’Sant Angelo lost big during the trial, having been convicted (in addition to the unlawful practice charge) of six counts of felony financial elder abuse and six counts of felony grand theft. She faces a potential sentence of 11 years in prison. D’Sant Angelo was represented by the public defender’s office during her first trial, but dropped them in favor of Allen after losing her first trial.

She told the court Monday morning she intended to file a motion for a new trial, while prosecutor Brian Cota said he would oppose any further delay in having her sentenced.