Pazden v. Maurer

OPINION

MCKEE, Circuit Judge.

Michael Pazden appeals from the District Court’s order denying his petition for writ of habeas corpus under 28 U.S.C. § 2254(a). Pazden was convicted in state court on a 119 count indictment involving “white-collar fraud” stemming from the sale of condominiums in Clifton, New Jersey. We are asked to determine if the trial court violated Pazden’s Sixth Amendment right to counsel when the court denied defense counsel’s request for a continuance and Pazden proceeded to trial pro se. For the reasons that follow, we hold that the trial court did violate Pazden’s Sixth…