People v. Courts

Opinion

BIRD, C. J.

This court must determine whether the trial court abused its discretion when it refused to grant the accused a continuance to permit him to be represented by an attorney he retained approximately one week before trial.

I

Appellant, Philip Courts, was charged by information with murder and use of a firearm. (Pen. Code, §§ 187, 12022.5. 1) On July 19, 1982, he pled not guilty and denied the gun use allegation. The public defender was appointed to represent him, and trial was set for October 26th. Appellant was released on bail pending trial.

Sometime in early September, appellant…