MONTREAL -- The suspect in Quebec's 2012 election shooting is trying to get bail ahead of his murder trial next year.

Richard Henry Bain is making his case in a Montreal courtroom today, suggesting he can't mount a proper defence while incarcerated in a detention centre.

After failing to find a lawyer, Bain will defend himself at his first-degree murder trial scheduled for early 2015.

Bain is also charged with three counts of attempted murder after an attack at a Montreal club on Sept. 4, 2012, as then-Parti Quebecois leader Pauline Marois celebrated her party's election victory.

The Crown opposes his release.

Bain refused a publication ban on today's hearing, despite Justice Guy Cournoyer asking him on at least three occasions. The Crown also asked for a publication ban when Bain wouldn't, but Cournoyer ruled against granting it.