'I am incompetent!' America's most bungling lawyer dresses as Thomas Jefferson and gets himself disbarred for 'inexplicable incompetence'

• Dennis Hawver dressed up as Thomas Jefferson to defend himself against accusations of 'incompetence'
• He has had his right to practice law withdrawn by the Kansas Supreme Court after a unanimous decision on Friday

By David Mccormack for MailOnline

Published: 23:00 EST, 23 November 2014 | Updated: 23:19 EST, 23 November 2014

An attorney who got his client sentenced to death and then dressed up in court as Thomas Jefferson to defend himself against accusations of 'incompetence' has had his right to practice law withdrawn by the Kansas Supreme Court.

Dennis Hawver was adjudged to have shown ‘inexplicable incompetence’ as a defense attorney for Phillip Cheatham during his original 2005 murder trial, according to Friday's unanimous decision to disbar him.

After ruling that Hawver had failed to properly represent his client, the court reversed Cheatham’s conviction and ordered a new trial.

Dennis Hawver, who had dressed up as Thomas Jefferson to defend himself against accusations of 'incompetence', has had his right to practice law withdrawn in Kansas

During the original trial, Hawver had told prospective jurors that his client Cheatham was 'a professional drug dealer' and a 'shooter of people'.

He also failed to present evidence that might have proven that Cheatham was not in Topeka at the time of murder for which he was charged.

'I had no idea that cellphones had GPS capabilities at that time,' said Hawver, reports Topeka Capital-Journal.

In the original 2005 murder trail, Hawver had told jurors in his closing argument that they should execute the killer.

Cheatham was then sentenced to death before his conviction was overturned.

Dennis Hawver was adjudged to have shown ‘inexplicable incompetence’ as a defense attorney for Phillip Cheatham, pictured, during a 2005 murder trial

Dressed as his personal hero Thomas Jefferson in a powdered wig, 18th century suit and long white stockings, Hawver was told it was a ‘virtually inescapable conclusion’ that he had failed to meet the state’s professional conduct code while representing Cheatham.

'Am I going to get you to protect my rights to defend my client" as I see fit? Hawver said.

He argued that the First Amendment protected his actions with his clients, and the Sixth Amendment protected the rights of his client.

'Phillip Cheatham didn't complain about my performance. You did,' Hawver said, referring to the justices.

'I am incompetent!' Hawver said, banging the lectern with his hand. He claims he was planning on leaving the legal profession anyway.

Hawyer has previously run for governor as a Republican and for attorney general and Congress as a Libertarian.