BY JIMMY LAWTON
North Country This Week

CANTON — A man accused of killing a SUNY Potsdam student in February of 2022 will be allowed to represent himself at trial.

County Court Judge Craig P. Carriero granted the request made by Michael Snow of Massena, who is facing second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter charges in the alleged shooting death of Elizabeth Howell.

“The matter is before the Court upon the request of the St. Lawrence County Public Defender for an inquiry into the defendant's request to waive representation by counsel,” a decision from the judge said.

“The defendant appeared with his attorneys, James M. McGahan, Esq., St. Lawrence County Public Defender, and Thomas C. Finnerty, Jr., Esq., Assistant Public Defender. The People were present and represented by Gary M. Pasqua, Esq., St. Lawrence County District Attorney, Sasha Mascarenhas, Esq., Assistant District Attorney, and Alexander Nichols, Esq., Assistant District Attorney.”

“The defendant confirmed his request to proceed prose and addressed the reasons therefore. The defendant was advised of the dangers and disadvantages of self-representation. The Court inquired of the defendant's age, education, occupation, employment history and prior exposure to the legal system. The defendant's answers were articulate and informed,” the decision said.

“The Court found the defendant's demeanor to be appropriate and non-disruptive. The Court finds that the defendant has knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily requested to represent himself and, accordingly, grants that request.”

Snow’s decision to represent came just weeks after St. Lawrence County Court Judge Greg Storie recused himself from the Snow murder trial.

In court documents obtained by North Country This Week, Storie said “counsel has questioned my impartiality in this matter.”

According to the documents, Storie had the option to decline to disclose his reasoning for recusal but chose to not exercise the right. However, his office did not wish to provide further comment on the matter.

Howell, a student from Patterson, NY, was found on College Park Road near SUNY Potsdam with multiple gunshot wounds shortly before 6 p.m. last February.

Witnesses say the shots came from a gray sedan that was passing by, presumed to be driven by Snow, according to previous reports.

That vehicle was later identified as a Honda Civic with NY registration KVE2731.

State police, with support from Massena police and Homeland Security Investigations, served a warrant and entered Snow’s home with a door ram and flash bangs before taking him into custody without further incident on Feb. 19.

Snow was held without bail at St. Lawrence County Correctional Facility before being moved to an undisclosed, secure location for his safety, police previously said.

Police soon began searching for the murder weapon, backtracking a route they believe Snow took following Howell’s murder.

To date the murder weapon has still not been found.

Following Snow’s arrest, a grand jury chose to indict him on charges of second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, first-degree assault, and first-degree criminal use of a firearm.

Snow was then arraigned in St. Lawrence County Court on April 22, 2022. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.

He faces life in prison if found guilty.