WACO, Texas (AP) — An AWOL soldier convicted of planning to blow up a restaurant full of Fort Hood soldiers will represent himself when he’s sentenced next month.

Army Pfc. Naser Jason Abdo told U.S. District Judge Walter Smith during a Thursday hearing in Waco, Texas, that he and his attorneys weren’t communicating effectively. Smith granted Abdo’s request to represent himself at his Aug. 10 sentencing.