The man charged with killing four Northern California women with matching first and last initials has asked for a court-appointed attorney to help him defend himself.

Seventy-seven-year-old Joseph Naso is currently acting as his own attorney. But he told a judge Wednesday his incarceration at the Marin County Jail has limited his ability to conduct legal research and has scared away attorneys who could help him.

He asked Judge Andrew Sweet to appoint an attorney to his case. Sweet is expected to continue hearing arguments about the request Thursday.

District Attorney Ed Berberian says Naso has enough money to hire his own attorney and doesn't need one appointed by the court.

Naso is accused of murdering four prostitutes in the 1970s and 1990s throughout Northern California. He has pleaded not guilty.