After his October indictment in the notorious Teak Street murder, John Allen Ditullio Jr. sat in jail with a Times reporter and proclaimed his innocence. Then he explained why he wanted to defend himself:"Because ain't nobody going to fight for my life like me," he said.And that's exactly what's at stake.The 20-year-old neo-Nazi will face the death penalty if convicted of the March 23 slaying of 17-year-old Kristofer King, the State Attorney's Office announced Friday. It came moments after a judge granted Ditullio's motion - handwritten on lined paper - to let him defend himself at trial."It seems to me that I'm powerless under the law to stop you from doing this," Circuit Judge Stanley Mills told Ditullio. "I can point out the old legal adage that he who represents himself has a fool for a client."That didn't shake Ditullio's resolve. Neither did his now-former public defender. Nor did the prospect of being put to death if convicted, or his shaky grasp of the rules of criminal procedure."I have distinct trial strategies that I would like to pursue," said Ditullio, his head freshly shaved, his chin sporting a long beard that broke into two points. He did not reveal what those strategies are.Then the judge grilled him. Ditullio admitted he has no legal experience and dropped out in the ninth grade - but he is studying in jail for the GED test."What is the reason ... you did not go any further than the ninth grade?" Mills asked."Problem with authority," Ditullio said.The prosecutor asked the judge to question Ditullio's mental competence. Under oath, Ditullio said he had not been diagnosed with a mental disorder, had professional treatment by a professional or prescribed medication."I have no reason to question his competence," Mills said. "I seriously question his competence to represent himself."Ditullio is charged with first-degree murder in the death of King and attempted murder in the nonfatal stabbing of Patricia Wells. He will also defend himself against charges of aggravated domestic battery, witness tampering and assault in an alleged Feb. 20 attack on his ex-girlfriend.The decision to let Ditullio represent himself may be revisited when a new judge gets the case next year.Wells taunted Ditullio in court Friday afternoon and had to be escorted outside by bailiffs."I hope you burn in hell," she silently mouthed to the man accused of breaking into her home in a gas mask and slashing at her and King with a knife.Later, she smiled at the prospect of Ditullio's having to defend his own life - and failing."Not for what he did to me," she said, "for what he did to Kris."Jamal Thalji can be reached at thalji@sptimes.com or (727) 869-6236.