Man accused of killing his wife and her mother claims he isn't getting chance to defend himself

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The British national accused of murdering his wife and her mother in Clovis this year said he's being cheated out of the chance to defend himself. Dave McCann spoke out in court Thursday and gave a laundry list of complaints.

When Tierney Cooper-McCann was stabbed to death in May, police said her husband was the killer. But as the courts determine where her money should go, McCann said he has a right to some of it.

The man charged with murdering his wife and her mother told a judge Thursday that when a probate court put Tierney's father in charge of her estate, it denied him access to money he earned since he was 19. In court documents we dug up, Tierney's main asset was the scene of the crime, the home where she lived with her husband for most of the last eight years.

But ABC30 Legal Analyst Tony Capozzi said McCann has no rights to it because he deeded it to his wife in 2008.

"He made a gift to his wife. He made a gift to her. That becomes her separate property."

McCann also said he's had trouble accessing his money, his family, and his medical records in his native United Kingdom. Even with some help from the British Consulate, he said he's been denied contact.

"Communication has been a problem. Just, jail phones aren't set up to receive international phone calls," said Scott Baly, McCann's defense attorney.

But that's not the only problem McCann has with the jail. He said an employee there spit on him, and medical staff hasn't treated any of his physical or mental issues. That's despite a request from the judge in his criminal case.

"That's a common complaint with the inmates at the jail, and I'm sorry to say, it's generally true," said Capozzi.

In court Thursday, he had a crutch and a wrap on his right arm-- the results of a fall earlier in the week. His attorney said he dropped off a knee brace a few days ago, but jail staff hasn't delivered it to McCann.

The judge also suspended McCann's state sales license in case he gets out of jail before trial, although he's being held without bail. He's due back in court next month.