State v. Lomax

The issue in the case is whether the court of appeals erred in deciding that a retrospective hearing, rather than a new trial, is the appropriate remedy when the trial court abused its discretion in denying a defendant’s request for change of counsel. We conclude that the court of appeals did not commit error.

The defendant, Sylvester O. Lomax, Jr., was charged with burglary, battery and robbery while armed. The trial was held in the Rock county circuit court before the Honorable Edwin C. Dahlberg. A jury found the defendant guilty on all counts. Pursuant to that verdict, the defendant was…