An Atchison man who was tased and pepper-sprayed by Lawrence police Tuesday made his first appearance in court Wednesday afternoon.

Darian Richter, 20, declined to accept a court-appointed attorney. He instead told the judge he would represent himself.

Richter is being held in the Douglas County Jail on allegations of possession of marijuana, obstruction, attempting to elude an officer and reckless driving charges.

Sgt. Bill Cory, a Lawrence police spokesman, said an officer tried to stop the suspect’s car shortly after noon Tuesday, when the officer saw him driving recklessly near Seventh and New Jersey streets. The suspect’s car also nearly struck the police car, Cory said.

After a short pursuit from Eighth and New Jersey streets east to the city’s Kaw Water Treatment Plant, 1400 E. Eighth St., the man eventually stopped in the parking lot. But he failed to comply with an officer’s command to get out of the vehicle.

“After a struggle, he was taken into custody,” Cory said.

Richter is due back in court on May 10. Bail was set at $2,000.