Steven Lorenzo claims rights are being violated

TAMPA (FOX 13) - Notorious murder defendant Steven Lorenzo claims his rights and protections under the law are being violated.

In a hearing on Thursday, Lorenzo was combative and challenged the charges against him.

"The state of Florida, with no lawful excuse or delay, waited over a dozen years before they felt ready to file their federal complaint," he told a judge.

Lorenzo is representing himself on the murders of Michael Waccholtz and Jason Galehouse. Both men disappeared from a gay bar in 2003.

Prosecutors say Lorenzo and his co-conspirator, Scott Schweickert lured the victims to Lorenzo's Seminole Heights home.

There, they say the men were used as sex slaves - tortured, drugged, and murdered.

Lorenzo and Schweickert were both convicted on federal drug charges.

And now Lorenzo argues, in a handwritten motion, the charges amount to double jeopardy and should be dismissed.

Hillsborough Circuit Judge Mark Kiser disagreed.

"The federal charges that Mr. Lorenzo was convicted of were not for murder and therefore are a different charge," said Judge Kiser.

Lorenzo then spent seven minutes reading a list of complaints, during which he challenged the judge's authority over the case.

"I ask this honorable court to cease any further attempts to pressure, intimidate, discourage the defense from taking the necessary time to pursue its due process," said Lorenzo.

Hillsborough State Attorney Andrew Warren watched all of it from the gallery.

"Mr. Lorezno claims he is not receiving any justice. Ask and you shall receive; his justice is coming. Justice for Michael Waccholtz and justice for Jason Galehouse," said Warren.

A trial date has been set for March of 2019.